Hello all, newbie here but have browsed the forums before for tech tips and decided to join.

The problem...1980 flt 1340, 5 speed. I am just getting a click at the starter relay box when pushing the start button. had it started 3 weeks ago but it started hard and I had to jump it. Have had the bike 10 years, not much riding the last few but it always seemed to start hard.

trouble shooting results based on reading this forum ( for days) lol

-Battery 2 years old, fully charged reads 12.8V, had it load tested and it was putting out over 440cca. battery known good.
-Bat reads 12.6V with ignition on and start button pressed.
-All grounds checked for continuity, starter, relay,solenoid ect.
-Starter relay is new, and all connections are ok and clean. meter reads good grounds and 12V+ at terminals 30 and 86 with key on and start button pressed. I also had a known good spare and tried that but same click sound at relay.
-voltage at solenoid terminal 12.3v, ignition on and pressing start switch it is 11.6v
-starter (in) from solenoid 12.2V, with ign on and start button pressed reads 10.4V.
-Rebuilt the solenoid season before with the rebuild kit..everything still looks clean inside.

Based on what i read in the forums tried the "jump" starter with the two terminals on the solenoid....got a lot of spark, and it would not turn the starter over, not even a whimper.
I also tried to jump 30/51 and 87 on relay..ign on, but did not crank starter.
Sorry for all the detail but trying to give as much info as possible. I guess my conclusion is its the starter. its looks original, p-66 so it must be a prestolite.

is there anything I missed? Do you think its the starter?
I have the old Harley service manual for the bike and I am not sure I want to pull the primary to get the starter out...seems like a job for the shop.

Thanks for any input, RK

 

Did you figure out your problem? I think I have a similar issue.

 

You'd be better off posting your issue in a new thread. This guy has posted once, this post, and has not been back since 7/09.

 

It was resolved long ago. it was the starter. had it rebuilt and no problems since.

 

My 79' Shovel had a similar problem (Starter relay clicking) turned out to be one of the 3 orange wires was broken off at the bottom of the center breaker located under the seat.

 

have the same problem with my 1977 flh just a click at the relay.when i jumpthe solenoid it starts up.when i test the voltage at the small post i get 6.75 volts, when i disconnect it from the solenoid i get 12.75 volts any ideas on what the problem could be