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

04 Softail tries to start without touching the start button

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 04-11-2019, 01:08 AM
Jamie Hart's Avatar
Jamie Hart
Jamie Hart is offline
Stage IV
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: WV
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default 04 Softail tries to start without touching the start button

I have been trying to locate the problem with no luck so far. I have a 2004 Fatboy EFI that often but not every time will attempt to start on its own if the battery switch is on. I will turn on the ignition and then the battery rocker switch and the motor starts to turn over, sometimes the motor will run but there will be a "jet engine" sound from the front of the primary. I turn the bike off try again a couple of times and then the bike runs normally. I have replaced the starter, has a new battery, replaced the handlebars last winter with all new switches. The ignition switch was also replaced thanks in advance for any help
 
  #2  
Old 04-11-2019, 08:10 AM
fox chaser's Avatar
fox chaser
fox chaser is offline
Tourer
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: New York
Posts: 360
Received 121 Likes on 64 Posts
Default

My guess is a bad switch. Maybe was that way from factory.
 
  #3  
Old 04-11-2019, 08:16 AM
Dan89FLSTC's Avatar
Dan89FLSTC
Dan89FLSTC is offline
Seasoned HDF Member

Join Date: May 2008
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 17,934
Received 8,497 Likes on 4,612 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by fox chaser
My guess is a bad switch. Maybe was that way from factory.
Guessing is not the way to solve electrical problems, guessing is why people replace starters, switches and other components unnecessarily.

Jamie:

There was no need to replace the starter, that is like replacing a light bulb because it won`t go out...

There are three switches involved with the starting circuit: the ignition switch, the kill switch, and the starter switch (button).

Are you saying that when you turn the kill switch on, the starter cranks without pressing the start button?

Does it stop cranking if you turn the kill switch off?
 

Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; 04-11-2019 at 08:36 AM.
  #4  
Old 04-11-2019, 08:41 AM
Will Belden's Avatar
Will Belden
Will Belden is offline
Tourer
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Carrollton, TX (Dallas)
Posts: 321
Received 52 Likes on 46 Posts
Default

It could quite simply be a short in the wires. Sounds like the most logical to me.

Once its started, do you have times where it continues to "try to start", like turning the key in a car ignition while the engine is already on?
 
  #5  
Old 04-11-2019, 09:12 AM
PDB17UltraRG's Avatar
PDB17UltraRG
PDB17UltraRG is offline
Ultimate HDF Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Stuart, Fl
Posts: 6,697
Received 773 Likes on 735 Posts
Default

Replace your starter switch that will solve your problems
 
  #6  
Old 04-11-2019, 09:29 AM
Dan89FLSTC's Avatar
Dan89FLSTC
Dan89FLSTC is offline
Seasoned HDF Member

Join Date: May 2008
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 17,934
Received 8,497 Likes on 4,612 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Will Belden
It could quite simply be a short in the wires. Sounds like the most logical to me.
It is not a short.

A short does not cause a component to be energized, a short is when the power is diverted back to ground before the component, and since the shorted circuit does not have the resistance of the component in the circuit anymore, the fuse blows...
 

Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; 04-11-2019 at 09:35 AM.
  #7  
Old 04-11-2019, 09:33 AM
Dan89FLSTC's Avatar
Dan89FLSTC
Dan89FLSTC is offline
Seasoned HDF Member

Join Date: May 2008
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 17,934
Received 8,497 Likes on 4,612 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by PDB17UltraRG
Replace your starter switch that will solve your problems
If the starter stops cranking when the kill switch is turned off, I would agree.

The OP is hard to follow in his posting because he made up his own names for the switches...
 
  #8  
Old 04-11-2019, 10:34 AM
Jamie Hart's Avatar
Jamie Hart
Jamie Hart is offline
Stage IV
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: WV
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

When it is acting up yes it will continue to use the starter even after the engine is running. I quickly shut it down and go through the start up process again. It may take two tries sometimes more and it will start and run fine.
 
  #9  
Old 04-11-2019, 10:46 AM
Dan89FLSTC's Avatar
Dan89FLSTC
Dan89FLSTC is offline
Seasoned HDF Member

Join Date: May 2008
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 17,934
Received 8,497 Likes on 4,612 Posts
Default

Jamie, that was not the question...

Does the starter continue cranking when the KILL SWITCH is turned off?
 
  #10  
Old 04-11-2019, 10:50 AM
Jamie Hart's Avatar
Jamie Hart
Jamie Hart is offline
Stage IV
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: WV
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

No it will stop cranking
 


Quick Reply: 04 Softail tries to start without touching the start button



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:44 AM.