Battery or starter ?
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 444
Likes: 1
From: Grand Rapids, MI
Battery or starter ?
Hi all: My '08 Fatboy has the original battery. I had it load tested this spring and all was fine. However, over the past few weeks have been having starting problems, most notably very slow initial turnover when cold and misfires on start as well. I am thinking it is my battery but I need to think about whether the starter may be going out too.
Given the age of the battery, would you replace it straight off and see if that fixes the issue? If it were the starter, is there an "easy" test I can do? BTW, all connections are clean and tight at the battery.
Thanks, Chris.
Given the age of the battery, would you replace it straight off and see if that fixes the issue? If it were the starter, is there an "easy" test I can do? BTW, all connections are clean and tight at the battery.
Thanks, Chris.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 274
Likes: 3
From: Portage, IN
The battery is the heart of the system. I personally would replace it or at the very least pull it and have it checked. A bad battery will burn up a starter. Turning a DC motor with low voltage will shorten it's life very fast...
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,142
Likes: 15
From: Peach Bottom, PA
My vote is for the battery. If it's the original its 5+ years old now. That's the first sign of a weak battery....slow initial "hit" when you try to start it. Mine did that for about a month, then one day it wouldn't hardly even turn the lights on. Replace it before it leaves you stranded.
Tourer
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
I'd replace it due to the age and see if the problem persists. If you end up having to do the starter as well at least the battery won't leave you stranded. You have checked all of the connections right?
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 444
Likes: 1
From: Grand Rapids, MI
I only put it on the tender once in a while during the winter, and again in the spring before the first startup.
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Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
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From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
I say battery, 5yrs is bout it for one..
my 07 battery went south last spring, so I'd think any 08 bike would need one this yr.
my 07 battery went south last spring, so I'd think any 08 bike would need one this yr.
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 261
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From: FWB, FL
Glad you got the right fix w/ the battery. Now about the starter question...
I saw this somewhere else. Basically get on a good hill, turn off the engine, put it on 2nd gear, pull the clutch, coast down the hill and ease the clutch back into gear. If it starts, then it's probably the starter.
If it were the starter, is there an "easy" test I can do?
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
Glad you got the right fix w/ the battery. Now about the starter question...
I saw this somewhere else. Basically get on a good hill, turn off the engine, put it on 2nd gear, pull the clutch, coast down the hill and ease the clutch back into gear. If it starts, then it's probably the starter.
I saw this somewhere else. Basically get on a good hill, turn off the engine, put it on 2nd gear, pull the clutch, coast down the hill and ease the clutch back into gear. If it starts, then it's probably the starter.
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