I have a '75 FXE Superglide and can't get the starter button to crank the motor. It did work before I took it on it's maiden 2016 ride. Halfway home, after getting gas, it wouldn't crank the motor. Pushed it to get it started and ran for over 2 hours to get home. I can jump the terminals on the relay and the bike starts and runs for hours. I can jump the terminals on the solenoid and it does the same, starts and runs. I did a continuity check on the button and the on/off switch and I have continuity through both and continuity through the wires to the small terminal on the relay. Since the bike would crank, start and run by crossing the terminals on the relay, and I had continuity through the starter button and wires to the relay, I figured the relay was bad. Replaced it with a new one and still have the same problem. I do have voltage going to the relay through the starter button. Any ideas????

 

Some of these older bikes actually have a fuse-able link wire in them rather then a fuse...Maybe??? You obviously what you are doing. Just reading your post make it appear it's all correct. The system is fairly simple and you are adding some detail that can't be right or it would work. If the small wire from start button is getting power to the solenoid and it won't start, on modern stuff, it would be the magnet on the solenoid but you also could not jump past it. Not sure how you old starter system works since what appears to be starter on the old ones is actually what kicks starter sprag clutch gear..(bendix) and I do not have that in my head. Think Spanners39 is the expert on this...

 

Thanks for the info Ripsaw. If it has a fuseable link in the wiring, and the fuse was blown, it wouldn't have continuity. That's why this is so mysterious to me. If it has continuity AND voltage through the started button, to the relay and then to the solenoid, and crossing the terminals on the solenoid and then the relay will crank and start the bike, why doesn't it work with the button.

 

Just to give you more info on this, I did check to see if there is voltage coming out of the other side (cold side) of the relay when I push on the starter button, and there is not. Which makes sense why the motor does not turn over. BUT, like I said, I can jump these two terminals on the relay and get the bike to crank and start. So, for some reason, the little white wire coming from the starter button to the relay is sending 12 volts to the relay, but the relay isn't passing it onto the solenoid. Sounds like my new relay might be bad. Any idea how to check a relay????

 

Pull it, figure which is the coil (magnet) Apply 12 volts to it. Now check across the two other terminals for continuity with no resistance. With nothing hooked to it, the two terminals that show resistance across is the coil (magnet) Where did you get the relay? When I read you first post I guess I assumed you had made the finial check from the relay to the starter which is why you first post made no sense. It would work OK if you fix the relay.

 

I bought the relay from J&P. It is the Blue Streak.

 

I have no idea how to figure out which post is the coil (magnet).I did connect the positive post on the battery to the small post on the relay after removing it from the bike, and checked continuity on the 2 bigger posts and got nothing. Is that what you are referring to? This is a brand new relay, which I realize can be bad also. The one in the bike has 3 posts, 2 big and one small. The new one has 2 small and 2 big posts. The description says it is for my FXE. I did see on the internet that when using this relay when replacing a 3 post relay, to not use the 4th post. (It shows the 4th post as a small copper post) Is this correct??? I cannot find a new 3 post relay from anyone.

 

A relay is nothing but a remote switch that allows you to use a low current switch in a high current circuit.

I have attached a drawing for reference.

Your ignition switch completes the circuit between pole 85 and 86 (the low current side). When this circuit is closed a coil energizes and completes the circuit between poles 30 and 87 ( the high current side).

Based on your description I am guessing the the low current circuit is not closing and therefore not energizing the coil in the relay.

The body of the relay may also be the relay ground so make sure that has good contact.

According to the instructions of the Blue Streak relay you should not need to use the I (4th) terminal.

You can get the bike to start if you jump between poles M and B because this is what the relay does to complete the high current circuit.

 

You do not have a volt/ohm resistance meter? I also assumed you had one when you were referring all your checks?

 

I do have a voltmeter. I'm just not that technical with it. I can check continuity and and voltage, I just need to know what to touch with the probes.