Starter problem ONLY when cold/first start
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Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Ontario Canada
Starter problem ONLY when cold/first start
Have searched forum/internet and coming up empty...any help GREATLY appreciated before I take bike down early to pull primary and starter off!!
1994 Fxstc has new stator/VR/Battery. All were problematic and needed replacing BUT didn't fix the starting issue. Added new relay recently thinking it may be issue but not...
When starting bike first time in day when cold, hitting starter button often does nothing. No turning over at all. Hear something but not loud. Hit it often enough and might start after 3-4....or maybe 20. Rocking bike, tapping starter sometimes helps (?) or could be coincidental. Anyway, it does eventually start..
Once it does bike works FLAWLESSLY! All day, regardless of how many starts. Two recent 250 mile days with lots of stop/starts all day provided no issues or problems starting....only that first start each day?
I have had starters that intermittently without logic failed to work right..but never one that was consitantly difficult when cold, but perfect once bike starts?
Any ideas!!!????? Tks guys
1994 Fxstc has new stator/VR/Battery. All were problematic and needed replacing BUT didn't fix the starting issue. Added new relay recently thinking it may be issue but not...
When starting bike first time in day when cold, hitting starter button often does nothing. No turning over at all. Hear something but not loud. Hit it often enough and might start after 3-4....or maybe 20. Rocking bike, tapping starter sometimes helps (?) or could be coincidental. Anyway, it does eventually start..
Once it does bike works FLAWLESSLY! All day, regardless of how many starts. Two recent 250 mile days with lots of stop/starts all day provided no issues or problems starting....only that first start each day?
I have had starters that intermittently without logic failed to work right..but never one that was consitantly difficult when cold, but perfect once bike starts?
Any ideas!!!????? Tks guys
Last edited by tvr; Sep 14, 2011 at 07:34 PM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,109
Likes: 9
From: Connecticut
to find the cause I would test the trigger wire from the button to the relay and form the relay to the starter. Sounds like a bad wire high resestance. Once the connection is made it works good the wires are warm all day. use a volt meter to make sure you are getting the right voltage to where you need it to go. also look at the connecters and the back of the fuse block, corroded connections cause this too
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 210
Likes: 1
From: Pacific Northwest
Does it click when you push the starter button (the starter engages but then does nothing)? I had a very similar problem one time with a Honda. It was only when I started it the first time (until it got worse). In that particular case it turned out to be the brushes in the starter motor (completely worn down). I got a brush kit for it and that fixed the problem.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Ontario Canada
Thanks to all who replied...will start with wire check as noted. Have checked all connections to ensure they are tight and clean and all good there. Don't get a loud click but can hear something..maybe relay not solenoid. I initially thought solenoid but figured would be intermittent, not related only to cold start?? Looks like season may get short and have to come apart early....tks again, will work through these..
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 754
Likes: 24
From: Southern Maine
Being that it's a '94, I would be checking the starter too. Assuming that you store it away during the winter months in Canada, the innards could be showing the effects of humidity and not being used for long periods of time. Just another idea...
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,884
Likes: 912
From: South La.
Mine just clicks sometimes and other times it'll start. I replaced the starter a little while back when it went and I replaced the relay too, for a while the "click" went away. I've read before about people putting a second relay and that fixed their problem. I put the button on my solenoid for those times the handlebar button doesn't work.
Let us know what you find.
Let us know what you find.
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Advanced
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 50
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
Looks like you have changed all the other main components. It doesn't seem to be an electrical issue because it always works after the first start. As such, I recommend you change the starter. The coil could have some corrosion issues.
Chris
Chris
