Sluggish first start
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
From: RIO GRANDE, TEXAS
Sluggish first start
Hello everyone, I am trying to figure out why my 2013 Fatboy sometime on start-up it acts like its low on battery. This only happens on the first start-up afterover night. It does it more often then not but not always. Sometimes it does not do it (like you will see on the video). After the first start the bike will start great. I have no problems with hot starts either. The battery is 2 months old. Anyone has the same issue or what might be the issue?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Eoq...ature=youtu.be
Thanks
Flipper
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Eoq...ature=youtu.be
Thanks
Flipper
Last edited by flipbel; Mar 9, 2016 at 05:36 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,173
Likes: 12,740
From: South Carolina
Has it always done this, or is this a fairly new issue?
Original battery?
Do you start the engine with the transmission in neutral?
Try something simple and cheap first, clean all the battery cable connections (a small brass brush works great).
Remember, always disconnect the negative first, then the positive, and reconnect the positive first, then the negative.
Original battery?
Do you start the engine with the transmission in neutral?
Try something simple and cheap first, clean all the battery cable connections (a small brass brush works great).
Remember, always disconnect the negative first, then the positive, and reconnect the positive first, then the negative.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
From: RIO GRANDE, TEXAS
Has it always done this, or is this a fairly new issue?
Original battery?
Do you start the engine with the transmission in neutral?
Try something simple and cheap first, clean all the battery cable connections (a small brass brush works great).
Remember, always disconnect the negative first, then the positive, and reconnect the positive first, then the negative.
Original battery?
Do you start the engine with the transmission in neutral?
Try something simple and cheap first, clean all the battery cable connections (a small brass brush works great).
Remember, always disconnect the negative first, then the positive, and reconnect the positive first, then the negative.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
From: RIO GRANDE, TEXAS
Yes I was thinking the same thing. The bike does have the auto compression release but maybe that won't help because of the thick oil. I use 20/50.
Devil's Advocate
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,070
Likes: 36
From: Alberta, Canada
Sounds normal to me as well. 20/50 oil is standard HD oil weight.
You have compression releases, You must have done some work.
Two things come to mind:
1. Compression releases are not functioning as they should.
2. You have something draining down your battery over night.
You said you checked the cables, did you check tightness at both ends?
I also use dielectric grease on ALL of my connectors.
You have compression releases, You must have done some work.
Two things come to mind:
1. Compression releases are not functioning as they should.
2. You have something draining down your battery over night.
You said you checked the cables, did you check tightness at both ends?
I also use dielectric grease on ALL of my connectors.
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Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
From: RIO GRANDE, TEXAS
Sounds normal to me as well. 20/50 oil is standard HD oil weight.
You have compression releases, You must have done some work.
Two things come to mind:
1. Compression releases are not functioning as they should.
2. You have something draining down your battery over night.
You said you checked the cables, did you check tightness at both ends?
I also use dielectric grease on ALL of my connectors.
You have compression releases, You must have done some work.
Two things come to mind:
1. Compression releases are not functioning as they should.
2. You have something draining down your battery over night.
You said you checked the cables, did you check tightness at both ends?
I also use dielectric grease on ALL of my connectors.
No work done on the bike it's all stock. All ends of cables tighten. Battery in my opinion is not the problem because you can continue to start the bike immediately after the first start and it starts perfect. I do agree it you that it might be the ACR. May they are dirty and sticking on the first start. I just don't know.
Thanks to all for all you suggestions.
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 377
Likes: 74
From: Western New York
Doesn't sound too strange to me. How many cranking amps is your battery rated at? Seems most common is 310ish for our bikes. When I bought my bike, the battery in it was considerably less than 300 cca and I had some issues with cold starting. Replaced with a better battery and all good.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 488
From: Central California
I'd say it's semi normal too. Starter draws more amps when it's cold. If the battery is a bit on the weak side, it'll crank slower.
Try putting it on a battery charger overnight and see if it helps the next morning.
Try putting it on a battery charger overnight and see if it helps the next morning.
