Battery problem
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Battery problem
Ok... I rode my 2010 Fatboy Lo (my first HD) to a convenience store yesterday. I came out of the store, turned it "on", heard the fuel pump, and waited for the engine light to go off, and hit the start button.
"CLICK"
Went to try to start it again, and this time, the instrument panel would not turn on when I turned it on.
So I ended up pushing it home about a half a mile.
Once home, I checked the fluids, fuses, gas, and spark plugs, and everything was good. The oil was at the "full" line, but I doubt that had anything to do with it.
I disconnected the battery completely, and once it was reconnected, it started up. I rode it around for a few minutes, shut it down and started it back up... no problems.
This morning, my wife asked me if I had tried to start it, and when I went to start it, I heard the "CLICK" again. Same as yesterday. I disconnected the battery, and reconnected, and it started back up. I rode it around, shut it off, and restarted it, no problems.
My question is.... Could this be a battery charge problem? I don't understand how disconnecting and reconnecting the battery would fix anything, but it seems to work. I am afraid that once I ride it somewhere, it will die, and I'll be stuck..
PLEASE HELP!!!
-John
"CLICK"
Went to try to start it again, and this time, the instrument panel would not turn on when I turned it on.
So I ended up pushing it home about a half a mile.
Once home, I checked the fluids, fuses, gas, and spark plugs, and everything was good. The oil was at the "full" line, but I doubt that had anything to do with it.
I disconnected the battery completely, and once it was reconnected, it started up. I rode it around for a few minutes, shut it down and started it back up... no problems.
This morning, my wife asked me if I had tried to start it, and when I went to start it, I heard the "CLICK" again. Same as yesterday. I disconnected the battery, and reconnected, and it started back up. I rode it around, shut it off, and restarted it, no problems.
My question is.... Could this be a battery charge problem? I don't understand how disconnecting and reconnecting the battery would fix anything, but it seems to work. I am afraid that once I ride it somewhere, it will die, and I'll be stuck..
PLEASE HELP!!!
-John
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From:
check the bolts
Hello
I´ve had a similar problem, and the cause was one of the bolts of the regulator that was unscrew and did not connect correctly(ground), when the bike was stopped it didn`t start, but conecting battery again it start. When i rode the bike the bolt moves and in the next start it didn`t fire. I solve it screwig the bolt and I check all the bike to see if there where any other unscrew. I dont know if this can help but it appears to be something similar...
P.D: Sorry for my english...I don´t practice too much...
I´ve had a similar problem, and the cause was one of the bolts of the regulator that was unscrew and did not connect correctly(ground), when the bike was stopped it didn`t start, but conecting battery again it start. When i rode the bike the bolt moves and in the next start it didn`t fire. I solve it screwig the bolt and I check all the bike to see if there where any other unscrew. I dont know if this can help but it appears to be something similar...
P.D: Sorry for my english...I don´t practice too much...
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 415
From: Southern Maryland
It's a 2010, take it back to the dealer and tell them what you just said. It's under warranty.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 8
From: Minneapolis Area, MN
Check the battery's ground at the frame. Sounds like a chance it could be loose and ends up making a "good enough" ground after reconnecting the battery but ends up vibrating around and loosing contact down the road.
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Thanks for the ideas, guys.
- Checked all connections, found nothing loose
- Bought battery tender, charged to 100% and found same problem
So next step, take it back to the dealer to find the problem. I will update once I figure out what the problem is.
Thanks again!
- Checked all connections, found nothing loose
- Bought battery tender, charged to 100% and found same problem
So next step, take it back to the dealer to find the problem. I will update once I figure out what the problem is.
Thanks again!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,190
Likes: 5
From: Eastern Washington
Take it to the dealer. I am wondering if you are having an ecm problem and every time you disconnect the battery it resets. Doesn't sound like a battery problem if it doesn't require a charge
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Well, here is what happened..... No shame in my game. I messed up, and I'll share it.
The wires coming off the battery were loose. I was checking the tightness of the wires coming off the battery with a phillips-head screwdriver, and with the screwdriver, I could not tighten the bolts any further. My friend came over and used a ratchet to tighten the bolts, and the problem was gone.
This is my first HD, but I have been riding dirtbikes my whole life, and I really felt like a "new guy" when that happened.
So, lesson learned.. I apologize for wasting you guys' time!
John
The wires coming off the battery were loose. I was checking the tightness of the wires coming off the battery with a phillips-head screwdriver, and with the screwdriver, I could not tighten the bolts any further. My friend came over and used a ratchet to tighten the bolts, and the problem was gone.
This is my first HD, but I have been riding dirtbikes my whole life, and I really felt like a "new guy" when that happened.
So, lesson learned.. I apologize for wasting you guys' time!
John
Trending Topics
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,109
Likes: 9
From: Connecticut
You have a bad connection or cable in there. They had some issues with the battery to starter cables and grounds. clean and recheck, the battery is not the problem, but being a 2010 let the dealer fix it
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
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 3
From: Massachusetts
Well, here is what happened..... No shame in my game. I messed up, and I'll share it.
The wires coming off the battery were loose. I was checking the tightness of the wires coming off the battery with a phillips-head screwdriver, and with the screwdriver, I could not tighten the bolts any further. My friend came over and used a ratchet to tighten the bolts, and the problem was gone.
This is my first HD, but I have been riding dirtbikes my whole life, and I really felt like a "new guy" when that happened.
So, lesson learned.. I apologize for wasting you guys' time!
John
The wires coming off the battery were loose. I was checking the tightness of the wires coming off the battery with a phillips-head screwdriver, and with the screwdriver, I could not tighten the bolts any further. My friend came over and used a ratchet to tighten the bolts, and the problem was gone.
This is my first HD, but I have been riding dirtbikes my whole life, and I really felt like a "new guy" when that happened.
So, lesson learned.. I apologize for wasting you guys' time!
John
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: Uxbridge, MA
I just found this thread so I'll add to it. I have a 2007 Fatboy. Every now and then, while riding, the engine will just cut out. I'll cycle the kill switch and hit the starter and it'll start right up.
When I got home, I checked for engine codes but there are none. Very odd. Then someone said to check the battery terminals. Sure enough, they were about half a turn loose. I'd tighten them down and not have a problem for months. It'd happen again a few months later and it'd be the same thing.
I've gone to using a split lock washer and/or blue locktight. I haven't had the problem in a while.
When I got home, I checked for engine codes but there are none. Very odd. Then someone said to check the battery terminals. Sure enough, they were about half a turn loose. I'd tighten them down and not have a problem for months. It'd happen again a few months later and it'd be the same thing.
I've gone to using a split lock washer and/or blue locktight. I haven't had the problem in a while.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
