Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

ignition switch??

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 3, 2016 | 11:04 PM
  #1  
tmilo1000's Avatar
tmilo1000
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 392
Likes: 12
Default ignition switch??

Bike had been sitting for about a month. I always have a battery tender on the battery. Battery shows about 13.5 volts. Bike will not crank. Lights come on and I can feel the ignition relay clicking when I hit the start button. Question is it the ignition switch that needs to be cleaned or do you think it is another problem?
 
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2016 | 10:10 AM
  #2  
dfwhockey17's Avatar
dfwhockey17
Outstanding HDF Member
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,400
Likes: 284
From: Fort Worth, TX
Default

More info on the bike please...
 
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2016 | 10:18 AM
  #3  
QC's Avatar
QC
Seasoned HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 100,455
Likes: 19,811
From: Centennial, CO
Default

Kill switch on?
 
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2016 | 10:29 AM
  #4  
tmilo1000's Avatar
tmilo1000
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 392
Likes: 12
Default

'03 Fatboy, carb. No recent work done on the bike. No work done on the switches, handlebars. Rode about a month ago, no problems, stopped and put the battery tender on as usual.
 
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2016 | 11:54 AM
  #5  
zkeisler's Avatar
zkeisler
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 42
Likes: 1
From: Raleigh NC
Default

I have an 02 FLSTF and when I had issues w the ignition switch, nothing would work. No lights, no starter click, nothing. Its not a bad idea to clean the connectors on the switch and put some dielectric grease on them, but I dont think that is going to be your problem.
 
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2016 | 12:11 PM
  #6  
Uncle G.'s Avatar
Uncle G.
Seasoned HDF Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,874
From: Upstate New York
Default

Corrosion on battery terminals (also ground at frame and hot lead at starter motor). It takes very little oxidation to cause what we "Evo" riders call the "dreaded click".


Also, if you haven't, take the starter solenoid end cap off, remove the plunger and clean the copper washer on the plunger and the two contacts inside. These contacts carry all 120 Amps the starter draws, and I'll bet yours are black and pitted by now. You can clean them up with fine sandpaper and polish them. Disconnect the battery first before working on the starter.
 

Last edited by Uncle G.; Nov 4, 2016 at 12:14 PM.
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2016 | 12:12 PM
  #7  
Uncle G.'s Avatar
Uncle G.
Seasoned HDF Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,874
From: Upstate New York
Default

Originally Posted by QC
Kill switch on?
If kill switch off, relay wouldn't click.
 
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2016 | 01:04 PM
  #8  
o/d's Avatar
o/d
Tourer
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 486
Likes: 41
From: north jersey
Default

if you are hearing the start relay when you hit the start button, try replacing it. about $6 at dealer.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Nov 4, 2016 | 02:07 PM
  #9  
tmilo1000's Avatar
tmilo1000
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 392
Likes: 12
Default

I think I found the problem. I checked the voltage across the battery poles. Registered about 13.5 volts. When I tested the battery while hitting the start button the voltage dropped to 5.5 volts. My guess right now is the battery is shot.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Dale_K
Touring Models
17
Aug 11, 2012 04:47 PM
Junior_co
General Harley Davidson Chat
13
May 21, 2012 10:41 AM
Greg755
Softail Models
16
Jul 2, 2011 01:18 AM
jimbobob
Dyna Glide Models
2
May 15, 2009 08:17 PM
DHR Motorsports
Softail Models
1
Mar 9, 2008 11:21 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:51 AM.

story-0
10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

Slideshow: Not every motorcycle can be a design icon, and these machines prove that bold styling doesn't always age gracefully.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:58:41


VIEW MORE
story-1
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

Slideshow: Jason Momoa's latest restoration project blends 1920s Harley-Davidsons with modern electric technology, creating some of the most unusual hybrid motorcycles ever built.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:18:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-3
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-5
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-9
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE