2001 Deuce Starting Problem
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4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
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2001 Deuce Starting Problem
Picked up clean 2001 Deuce about a month ago. \\; Had what \\;appears to be 1100 original miles.
 \\;
Starter button has begun to work intermittantly. \\; Doesn't appear to be a weak battery (less than a year old according to battery). \\; Always \\;turns and fires strong when it does decide to respond to button being pressed. \\; Seems to be worse when bike and outside temperatures are hot (S. Florida climate)or when it's sat for a few days. \\; Sometimes I'll have to hold my thumb down on the switch for 5-10 seconds before any response. \\; Sometimes it helps if I apply firm pressure to the center of the switch and then "roll" my thumb down while pressing switch. \\; Sometimes it doesn't work at all. \\; If I leave it and come back in an hour or two it might be fine and fire right up. \\;
 \\;
Is it possible it's just a bad switch needing replacement or possibly a relay, etc...?
 \\;
Ordered a HD shop manual from dealer-hasn't come in yet.
 \\;
Any input would be appreciated.
 \\;
Thanks.
 \\;
 \\;
 \\;
Starter button has begun to work intermittantly. \\; Doesn't appear to be a weak battery (less than a year old according to battery). \\; Always \\;turns and fires strong when it does decide to respond to button being pressed. \\; Seems to be worse when bike and outside temperatures are hot (S. Florida climate)or when it's sat for a few days. \\; Sometimes I'll have to hold my thumb down on the switch for 5-10 seconds before any response. \\; Sometimes it helps if I apply firm pressure to the center of the switch and then "roll" my thumb down while pressing switch. \\; Sometimes it doesn't work at all. \\; If I leave it and come back in an hour or two it might be fine and fire right up. \\;
 \\;
Is it possible it's just a bad switch needing replacement or possibly a relay, etc...?
 \\;
Ordered a HD shop manual from dealer-hasn't come in yet.
 \\;
Any input would be appreciated.
 \\;
Thanks.
 \\;
 \\;
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,304
Likes: 31
From: Florida
RE: 2001 Deuce Starting Problem
The starter switch has been known to fail and the relay has been known to fail even more so I would try a new relay first just because iit is the easiest fix of the two. \\; If you had the manual it tells you how to check the relay with the multimeter.
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4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8
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RE: 2001 Deuce Starting Problem
Thanks for the fast reply Doc.
 \\;
Is the relay (Starter relay?) one of the items situated just behind the battery near the fuse center?
 \\;
If it is...looks like an inexpensive snap-in item. \\; If not...can you give me an idea where to look.
 \\;
Also, is switch a snap-in component (once I have the control housing cover removed?) as well?
 \\;
Thanks
 \\;
Is the relay (Starter relay?) one of the items situated just behind the battery near the fuse center?
 \\;
If it is...looks like an inexpensive snap-in item. \\; If not...can you give me an idea where to look.
 \\;
Also, is switch a snap-in component (once I have the control housing cover removed?) as well?
 \\;
Thanks
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,304
Likes: 31
From: Florida
RE: 2001 Deuce Starting Problem
The starter relay is where you said it is and it is a snap to replace, however the starter and run switch (combo) is a screw in and snip wires, re soldier, tuck away neatly, pinch a wire a couple of times as you assemble...(no don't do that )..lol. \\; The switches are a pain in the butt to change.
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4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8
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From:
RE: 2001 Deuce Starting Problem
 \\;
I'll pick up a switch package as well as a relay.
 \\;
For the costs involved, may as well replace both and forget about it.
 \\;
Thanks for the advice.
 \\;
BK
 \\;
 \\;
I'll pick up a switch package as well as a relay.
 \\;
For the costs involved, may as well replace both and forget about it.
 \\;
Thanks for the advice.
 \\;
BK
 \\;
 \\;
Road Captain
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 573
Likes: 7
From: Florida
RE: 2001 Deuce Starting Problem
 \\; \\; \\; When it rains it pours \\; \\; Im hearing a lot of this problem lately. I still have it also and its not the relay. I have a hard time beliving the switch is heat sensitive but maybe because it works if I let it sit awhile Rather than finger the button I carry a jumprr wire and go from the solenoid to the plus cable and away I go . Maybe I should go back to riding my KICKSTART
Road Captain
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 573
Likes: 7
From: Florida
RE: 2001 Deuce Starting Problem
 \\; \\; \\; \\; Why cant they fix this forum ?
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Road Captain
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,304
Likes: 31
From: Florida
RE: 2001 Deuce Starting Problem
 \\; This is from Sport King
 \\;
I would carry a multi meter to analyze what would happen when it didn't start. I would pull the connector from the solenoid then check for voltage when the button was pressed . That confirmed to me the button was working .I  \\;believe I would get say 10.8 - 11 Volts now that's with ignition on and headlights on. \\; Also I am able to hear the contacts slam in the solenoid when this problem happens . I \\;have checked them for alignment or pitting . \\; This normally would make me thing the problem is either a bad hold in winding in the solenoid or a dead spot in the armature . \\; But when I place a jumper from the battery cable attached to the starter to the solenoid it starts . \\; Doc \\; can you cast some opinion on this ? Eventually I will change the switch pair but as you said its a big PITA especially when its wired internally through the handlebars
 \\;
I would carry a multi meter to analyze what would happen when it didn't start. I would pull the connector from the solenoid then check for voltage when the button was pressed . That confirmed to me the button was working .I  \\;believe I would get say 10.8 - 11 Volts now that's with ignition on and headlights on. \\; Also I am able to hear the contacts slam in the solenoid when this problem happens . I \\;have checked them for alignment or pitting . \\; This normally would make me thing the problem is either a bad hold in winding in the solenoid or a dead spot in the armature . \\; But when I place a jumper from the battery cable attached to the starter to the solenoid it starts . \\; Doc \\; can you cast some opinion on this ? Eventually I will change the switch pair but as you said its a big PITA especially when its wired internally through the handlebars