My 2002 Screaming Eagle Road King has been idled for a few years now and I tried to start it this weekend. Because the battery was low (although hooked up to a trickle charger) I hooked it up to a starter/charger delivering 125A. When I try to start it I hear a rapid banging noise which I attribute to the starter trying to engage the fly wheel however it does not engage and the starter motor does not seem to spin. Has the starter motor gone bad and needs to be replaced or am I on the wrong track? Any suggestion input welcome. thank you.

 

That sound is the solenoid chattering, this happens when the starter gets insufficient current.

The battery is shot.

Clean the battery cable terminals and get a new battery.

 

Thank you very much, I will get a new Battery. Quick question though, shouldn't have the starter / charger been able to deliver enough Amps to get her started?

 

Probably, it the alligator clips make a good enough connection, why most times they don`t seem to do.

 

It's a good thing it didn't start JP. Then that alternator and regulator may have been damaged trying to charge that battery.

Now that's just an opinion but I would not jump a Harley except in an emergency.

That's a pretty loud tap. When that solenoid drives that contact to power the starter motor, it's also driving the starter gear into the ring gear on the clutch hub.

With that weak/bad connection, bad battery, and what little amount of 125 amps is there, with the starter motor dragging it down as the starter powers up, the solenoid magnet drops out. Hence, that repeated click.

As soon as it drops out, enough amps is there to pull it back in.

Typical starter draw for a older TC88 STOCK bike is 160-200 amps.

PS..Welcome to the HDFORUM. Only as a suggestion by me as a USER just like you, make another new thread over in the newmember welcome area to say hello.

Hope you continue to enjoy your ride here with us and that Harley.


04 OEM Diagnostic manual

 

thanks. New battery on order but I suspect the starter is also deficient.

 

Could be with a bike that old. Charge the battery and put a load test on it. Be sure the test equipment is set for that low cranking amp battery.

 

I doubt there is anything wrong with the starter.

A lot of starters are replaced on Harley Davidsons as the result of little or no proper troubleshooting.