Bike won't start sometimes but battery is strong
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,350
Likes: 1,930
From: Formerly Tampa Bay, FL, Currently Western PA
+1. I have replaced bad parts with brand new bad parts many times. The first thing you need to do is take the battery to an auto parts dealer and have it tested. Make sure it is good. If the battery tests out good, then look into the charging and starting systems.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,473
Likes: 15
From: River City Western Canada
Hi all! I was hoping someone could give my some advice here. I have a 2003 fatboy. I've been taking really good care of it over the years. Recently when I try to start it, it won't turn over and all I hear is this ticking/clicking noise on the left side. Now, I know the battery is strong. I just bought a new one over the summer and I always have it connected to a battery tender when I'm not using it. I was wondering, do you think that maybe my plugs are just bad and I'm not getting good spark? Thanks to who ever can point me in the right direction.
Sounds like a battery to me, a battery can fail for various reason Will it start if you jump it...it it does its the battery for sure
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,790
Likes: 10
From: Hawaii
When you say clicking or ticking... Is it a loud clack, clack, clack? your is it a faint ting?
The clack would be battery and the ting would be the starter relay... BTW you say sometimes? what exactly does sometimes mean? Like you'll be riding stop somewhere and press the start button and nothing? Then keep pressing it then and all of a sudden it starts?
if it's something like that check the battery cables if that doesn't work change the starter relay it's like 7 bucks at the dealer and it's under the seat so it's cheap and easy. Do you have a alarm system?
The clack would be battery and the ting would be the starter relay... BTW you say sometimes? what exactly does sometimes mean? Like you'll be riding stop somewhere and press the start button and nothing? Then keep pressing it then and all of a sudden it starts?
if it's something like that check the battery cables if that doesn't work change the starter relay it's like 7 bucks at the dealer and it's under the seat so it's cheap and easy. Do you have a alarm system?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
It could be your over run clutch in the starter. Its the weak link in harley starters. I know because ive replaced two in my bike and im not the only one. This time it sounded like it was throwing the gear out but not spining the motor over at all. Took it apart today and found my over run clutch ( sprag clutch) was bad.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 752
Likes: 0
From: North East, Florida
you might want to check the ground connections. I think the starter bolts make the ground for the starter but the battery does ground to the frame and that connection sometimes gets corroded
Stage I
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Mn
No start
I have a 03 ultra.
Here is the deal. I don't ride a lot and when it sits in the garage it is not on a tender, unless it is winter time.
From time to time when I go out and try to start it , it will not fire. every thing comes on just clicks like a bad starter.. I thought it might be a battery only has 30k on it.
Please help.
Here is the deal. I don't ride a lot and when it sits in the garage it is not on a tender, unless it is winter time.
From time to time when I go out and try to start it , it will not fire. every thing comes on just clicks like a bad starter.. I thought it might be a battery only has 30k on it.
Please help.
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