Haven't started bike ('12 fatboy lo) in a week. It's been cold here. I've had problems before starting this bike after sitting a week or so in the cold, but it's always managed to crank.

This time it won't. I always have it on battery tender, everything says it's good to go. it tried to crank a few times, now all I get is a loud grinding noise.

Checked battery cables, etc. Nothing. Charged it back up, got the green light, but same thing - it won't start.

Ideas? Starter? Battery?

 

Have you been able to measure the battery voltage during the starting? You may have a bad battery. Remember, high temperatures like in Florida are almost as bad as very cold climes.

 

No, my voltmeter is about 20 years old, guess I need a new one. It's been in the 30s and 40s here. These 103 engines need a lot of cranking power. Maybe I need some easy start cams. I'll check the battery first, but even when I know it was good I had a hard time starting it in the cold...

 

Agreed 100% on the heat impact on batteries, it really sounds like a battery issue not able to maintain amperage under the starter load.

 

Having the same problem here in MA! I have a 2013 Lo with 2660 miles on it, the bike won't start cold even though it has been plugged in with a tender. My bike will not even read the FOB, I have to enter the PIN # manually. I'm going to replace the bike's battery and the FOB's as well and see what happens, I just hate to throw money at such a new bike.

 

If FOBs do not work, change the batteries, I change mine every year.

As for the battery, try using a regular battery charger and give your battery a full charge before you spend $ on a new battery. Tenders do not always give your battery a FULL complete charge, they mainly maintain your battery.

 

Did you check the battery cable connections on the starter, or just on the battery?

 

I hadn't thought of that, I'll do that for sure.