OP's got a 93', figured I have a 94' it's a nice piece of mind.
93 FXSTS Starter Relay
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 157
Likes: 42
From: Wayne, NJ
93 FXSTS Starter Relay
Hi,
Will a defective relay cause the following? The battery is OK but sometimes when I press the starter button I just get a click, after I press it many times the bike starts and also sometimes while idling at a light the bike will just shut off like a plug was pulled. I hit the start button and it restarts. I have checked the battery cables, connections etc. Any ideas? Thanks!
Will a defective relay cause the following? The battery is OK but sometimes when I press the starter button I just get a click, after I press it many times the bike starts and also sometimes while idling at a light the bike will just shut off like a plug was pulled. I hit the start button and it restarts. I have checked the battery cables, connections etc. Any ideas? Thanks!
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 295
Likes: 26
From: Western CT
Not to seem like a smart ***, but how do you know for certain your battery is OK? Age and static voltage checks mean nothing. A proper load test from any auto store will confirm condition. That's where I would start first.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 338
Likes: 82
From: England
As well as the battery, it might also be worth checking the condition of your main circuit breaker and the wiring connections to it.
It should be located on the plastic splash guard in front of the rear wheel.
Any suggestion of an issue then replace it.
Also check the condition of your ignition switch and connector to it. They can suffer from corrosion and also the switch can suffer from dry connections internally. The back of the switch often has a large circlip that can be removed to make sure contacts inside are clean. A few small bits in there including springs so if you do it be gently and observant.
Your starter relay could well cause starting issues, I think that goes without saying but it would not cause the bike to cut out.
It should be located on the plastic splash guard in front of the rear wheel.
Any suggestion of an issue then replace it.
Also check the condition of your ignition switch and connector to it. They can suffer from corrosion and also the switch can suffer from dry connections internally. The back of the switch often has a large circlip that can be removed to make sure contacts inside are clean. A few small bits in there including springs so if you do it be gently and observant.
Your starter relay could well cause starting issues, I think that goes without saying but it would not cause the bike to cut out.
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 15,435
Likes: 7,127
From: Beyond Fucital
There's a little cube relay under the seat throttle side near battery, on mine the internal contacts didn't always make contact even though it clicked. I replaced the 16 year old one, then the 2 month old one failed.
So I took it apart, bent the contacts for better contact when activated and put it back in.
I also added a push button to the back of my starter solenoid for added insurance.
So I took it apart, bent the contacts for better contact when activated and put it back in.
I also added a push button to the back of my starter solenoid for added insurance.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 295
Likes: 26
From: Western CT
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 295
Likes: 26
From: Western CT
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,830
Likes: 302
From: Lorain Ohio
I had one of the push button back ups on my 93....I thought the wiring was getting old an unpredictable so I added it for peace of mind. It's kinda weird to use lol...not natural at all.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 15,365
Likes: 24,241
From: NC, USA
I had a 91 FXSTC and my starter relay bit it and I recall similar symptoms. It's a cheap item and easy to replace so I'd get one because you're probably running the factory original.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
I second (or third or forth) the push button on the solenoid for extra peace of mind. It's got me home a time or two.
While you have the end cap off the solenoid, pull out the plunger and clean the copper main contacts with fine sandpaper and polish them. You'll probably find they're black and pitted from arcing over the years. Reassemble with a bit of grease on the shaft and you'll be amazed at how much better the bike will start. In fact, even if you DON'T install the push button, clean the contacts anyway.
While you have the end cap off the solenoid, pull out the plunger and clean the copper main contacts with fine sandpaper and polish them. You'll probably find they're black and pitted from arcing over the years. Reassemble with a bit of grease on the shaft and you'll be amazed at how much better the bike will start. In fact, even if you DON'T install the push button, clean the contacts anyway.