1997 Fatboy Starting Issue
1997 Fatboy Starting Issue
Hey everyone, i have a 1997 Fatboy 42,600 miles that every so often in the morning just decides not to want to start. Sounds like the starter is trying to turn it over, but just can't quiet do it, like it is trying to start on a very high compression stroke if that makes sense. It is starting to turn the motor, but just cant seem to turn it even one full revolution. Any Ideas?
1. Already swapped battery, its less than a week old.
2. Will start up fine most all times.
3. Battery is fully charged, had been putting on the tender at night last few nights because i thought the battery was possibly low like i had a alternator/charging issue maybe.
4. Checking voltage while running and charging great.
5. So far only happens in the morning 2 times, Temp outside from 68-72 F.
6. Starter does get warm after trying several times.
7. Even hooked up to a big charger to just test if it was battery amperage, no luck.
1. Already swapped battery, its less than a week old.
2. Will start up fine most all times.
3. Battery is fully charged, had been putting on the tender at night last few nights because i thought the battery was possibly low like i had a alternator/charging issue maybe.
4. Checking voltage while running and charging great.
5. So far only happens in the morning 2 times, Temp outside from 68-72 F.
6. Starter does get warm after trying several times.
7. Even hooked up to a big charger to just test if it was battery amperage, no luck.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,014
Likes: 739
From: Northern California
If your confident in the health of the battery and the starter then I would look the battery cables end to end for any corrosion, breaks, tight connections. Also consider swaping out the 30 AMP circuit breaker .
While not a substitute for the Service Manual there is a lot of good troubleshooting informaiton in this manual:
https://serviceinfo.harley-davidson....roubleshooting
While not a substitute for the Service Manual there is a lot of good troubleshooting informaiton in this manual:
https://serviceinfo.harley-davidson....roubleshooting
If your confident in the health of the battery and the starter then I would look the battery cables end to end for any corrosion, breaks, tight connections. Also consider swaping out the 30 AMP circuit breaker .
While not a substitute for the Service Manual there is a lot of good troubleshooting information in this manual:
https://serviceinfo.harley-davidson....roubleshooting
While not a substitute for the Service Manual there is a lot of good troubleshooting information in this manual:
https://serviceinfo.harley-davidson....roubleshooting
Thank you, i am planning on tearing apart and looking at connections tonight hopefully. As far as the condition of the starter, i can't say i am confident the starter/solenoid are NOT the problem, but its just weird for it to start fine most of the time then just all of a sudden 2 mornings act like a really weak starter ya know. I'm hoping for a corroded connection somewhere.
Got it fixed
ok so went through 2 batteries so thought it couldnt possibly be the brand new battery but guess what, I rebuilt the starter, really needed it anyway, and it still wouldnt start so got the Jeep and hooked the jumper cables up and guess what, yup it turned over fine. I only got the battery from advance auto because it was the only place close that was open but Ill never do that again, put an interstate battery on it and works great.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 178
Likes: 11
From: Billings, MT
all batteries are not created equal. my 89 used to do that, changed to a high output battery, no more problems. i did eventually also put a high torque starter in it, and never had an issue again. evo starters are easy to put in, just fyi
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Yeah the starter came out fine when I figured out the oil tank trick. So rebuilt starter and quality battery, she starts better than she has since Ive had her.
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 852
Likes: 54
From: Dallas tx
What oil tank trick??
Having to loosing all the bolts and hold it or strap it up to the frame to allow room to slide the starter out a lot easier.