Problem Starting
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 14
Likes: 2
From: London
Problem Starting
Howdy everyone! 
I've got a Sportster XL883C and rode it some time before this happened:
I suspect a poor fuel (if that's possible) as problem started after I refuelled here in London in a Shell petrol station I drove after refuelling for a while (I'd say around 10 miles) and my HD started losing power, but still going. I drove it for other 15 miles that same evening and the noise and vibration were surely higher than normal. the day after I was not able to switch it on.
I changed the spark plugs (one of them was a bit wet by gasoline), and it started again! Problem is that now it's not switching on anymore, but I'm afraid it may be a problem in the starter motor. This is what it does:
anyone idea of what this can be? It's my first harley, I'm a super newbie, any help will be appreciated!
Thanks!
I've got a Sportster XL883C and rode it some time before this happened:
I suspect a poor fuel (if that's possible) as problem started after I refuelled here in London in a Shell petrol station I drove after refuelling for a while (I'd say around 10 miles) and my HD started losing power, but still going. I drove it for other 15 miles that same evening and the noise and vibration were surely higher than normal. the day after I was not able to switch it on.
I changed the spark plugs (one of them was a bit wet by gasoline), and it started again! Problem is that now it's not switching on anymore, but I'm afraid it may be a problem in the starter motor. This is what it does:
anyone idea of what this can be? It's my first harley, I'm a super newbie, any help will be appreciated!
Thanks!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,173
Likes: 12,740
From: South Carolina
Don`t buy a starter.
Follow nevil`s advice.
Tell us how old the battery is, and what year is the bike?
While the battery is out, clean both ends of the battery cable terminals.
Follow the service manual process to remove and install the battery.
Follow nevil`s advice.
Tell us how old the battery is, and what year is the bike?
While the battery is out, clean both ends of the battery cable terminals.
Follow the service manual process to remove and install the battery.
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Nov 8, 2020 at 12:25 PM.
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 14
Likes: 2
From: London
I was not planning to buy a starter tbh.. I just want to start with knowing what the problem is first.
I don't know how old is the battery, I bought the bike 2 months ago, but it was cold last month and battery may have drain out because I couldn't use the motorbike last 3 weeks. I went to switch it on to let it run (to avoid drainage of the battery lol), but I guess that I was too late for that? The model is a Sportster XL883C 2005.
TBH I thought it may be the battery cause it was kind of dying during first attempt to switch it on, but it is weird that all the lights and the horn and everything else is working. Also my Alarm light is flashing every 5 seconds, that according to the manual means that battery is fully charged.
I have not taken out the battery yet.
I don't know how old is the battery, I bought the bike 2 months ago, but it was cold last month and battery may have drain out because I couldn't use the motorbike last 3 weeks. I went to switch it on to let it run (to avoid drainage of the battery lol), but I guess that I was too late for that? The model is a Sportster XL883C 2005.
TBH I thought it may be the battery cause it was kind of dying during first attempt to switch it on, but it is weird that all the lights and the horn and everything else is working. Also my Alarm light is flashing every 5 seconds, that according to the manual means that battery is fully charged.
I have not taken out the battery yet.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,586
Likes: 6,435
From: Honah Lee
I was not planning to buy a starter tbh.. I just want to start with knowing what the problem is first.
I don't know how old is the battery, I bought the bike 2 months ago, but it was cold last month and battery may have drain out because I couldn't use the motorbike last 3 weeks. I went to switch it on to let it run (to avoid drainage of the battery lol), but I guess that I was too late for that? The model is a Sportster XL883C 2005.
TBH I thought it may be the battery cause it was kind of dying during first attempt to switch it on, but it is weird that all the lights and the horn and everything else is working. Also my Alarm light is flashing every 5 seconds, that according to the manual means that battery is fully charged.
I have not taken out the battery yet.
I don't know how old is the battery, I bought the bike 2 months ago, but it was cold last month and battery may have drain out because I couldn't use the motorbike last 3 weeks. I went to switch it on to let it run (to avoid drainage of the battery lol), but I guess that I was too late for that? The model is a Sportster XL883C 2005.
TBH I thought it may be the battery cause it was kind of dying during first attempt to switch it on, but it is weird that all the lights and the horn and everything else is working. Also my Alarm light is flashing every 5 seconds, that according to the manual means that battery is fully charged.
I have not taken out the battery yet.
You need to figure the bad fuel. I once got some. Rare here in the states in my area. They maintain tanks very well.
Mine after filling up started dieing at red lights. Would run if I kept throttle open. Very odd for a FI motor. I messed with it off and on for two weeks just manually maintaining idle. By the 3 tank of ethanal fuel, it healed itself. On that very day, the service station was digging up it's tanks. I pulled in and ask what was going on.
Told me to take a hike. They were closed. Never did figure out exactly what was wrong with fuel. I assumed a little water.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Nov 8, 2020 at 12:58 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,173
Likes: 12,740
From: South Carolina
The only way to determine the condition of the battery is a load test.
Until you know that you have a fully charged battery in good working condition you can`t properly troubleshoot the problem.
The flashing security system light does not mean the battery if fully charged (don`t confuse a security system with an alarm, they are not the same thing).
Until you know that you have a fully charged battery in good working condition you can`t properly troubleshoot the problem.
The flashing security system light does not mean the battery if fully charged (don`t confuse a security system with an alarm, they are not the same thing).
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 14
Likes: 2
From: London
The only way to determine the condition of the battery is a load test.
Until you know that you have a fully charged battery in good working condition you can`t properly troubleshoot the problem.
The flashing security system light does not mean the battery if fully charged (don`t confuse a security system with an alarm, they are not the same thing).
Until you know that you have a fully charged battery in good working condition you can`t properly troubleshoot the problem.
The flashing security system light does not mean the battery if fully charged (don`t confuse a security system with an alarm, they are not the same thing).
Anyway I'll have it tested and hopefully is just the battery dead.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jhug87
Ignition/Tuner/ECM/Fuel Injection
0
Jul 3, 2015 08:50 PM