Cold Start Problem softail heritage classic
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Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 45
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Cold Start Problem softail heritage classic
First off let me apologize if this question has been answered already, haven't been in here in a while.
I have a 2011 Harley Davidson Softail Heritage. I am a military dude stationed in Kansas, i'm from San Antonio TX and never had to put my bike away for the winter before. I have a battery tender and recently I have been having trouble starting it even when the battery tender says its fully charged.
Is this a sign of the battery going bad? Or is it just the cold?
I tried to start this morning it was around 40 degrees wouldn't start...today ended up being a really nice day, in the low 60's, tried to start late afternoon around 60 degrees, started up. Rode for about an hour no issues.
I was under the impression all I needed for cold storage during the winter was a battery tender...is there something else I should be doing?
I have a 2011 Harley Davidson Softail Heritage. I am a military dude stationed in Kansas, i'm from San Antonio TX and never had to put my bike away for the winter before. I have a battery tender and recently I have been having trouble starting it even when the battery tender says its fully charged.
Is this a sign of the battery going bad? Or is it just the cold?
I tried to start this morning it was around 40 degrees wouldn't start...today ended up being a really nice day, in the low 60's, tried to start late afternoon around 60 degrees, started up. Rode for about an hour no issues.
I was under the impression all I needed for cold storage during the winter was a battery tender...is there something else I should be doing?
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 40
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From: So Cal
Fuel doesn't last forever. I'm fairly new to fuel injected bikes, but on my carbed bikes the pilot jets get plugged (varnish) when gas goes bad. I use Sta-bil when my bikes, and my generator, are going to sit for more than a month. I haven't had to use it on fuel injected motors yet.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,599
Likes: 182
From: east texas
my fatboy had the same problem , (battery was 3 years old , checked good )
hard to start /no start below 45degrees, started right up above 50.
I'm guessing that the voltage dropped enough to give the ECU a heart attack
NEW Battery fixed it ..
If your battery is original , and over two years old replace it ..
And thank you for your service
hard to start /no start below 45degrees, started right up above 50.
I'm guessing that the voltage dropped enough to give the ECU a heart attack
NEW Battery fixed it ..
If your battery is original , and over two years old replace it ..
And thank you for your service
Last edited by heybaylor; Jan 20, 2014 at 09:45 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7,645
Likes: 4,883
From: Missouri City,TX
I had the same issue with my '12 Heritage...always on a battery tender when not riding it. The battery tender showed it was fully charged.
I've had the bike for 19 months and wouldn't start...it was the battery.
The dealer put in a new battery at no charge...they said it was covered under warranty. I was surprised but happy it didn't cost me a dime.
I've had the bike for 19 months and wouldn't start...it was the battery.
The dealer put in a new battery at no charge...they said it was covered under warranty. I was surprised but happy it didn't cost me a dime.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 863
Likes: 2
From: spain and uk
Yep, mine was exactly the same.
New battery cured it, for a while.
As with many Harley things, the Battery is the lowest spec, and therefore the cheapest, they can get away with supplying as new.
Suggest you get a new battery, and buy a different make.
I think motobat have been recommended on here before.
New battery cured it, for a while.
As with many Harley things, the Battery is the lowest spec, and therefore the cheapest, they can get away with supplying as new.
Suggest you get a new battery, and buy a different make.
I think motobat have been recommended on here before.
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 310
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From: Northampton
Mine is a 14 Deluxe and I had the same issue, although at much lower temps. The dealer said they could test it and replace it if it was bad. I didn't take the route. I opted for an aftermarket battery with better CCA instead of putting another HD battery that would fail after 6 months. I know many guys who have 5 years on their stock HD batteries and would not share my opinion though.
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Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2011
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Thanks guys...It was around 40 degrees this morning...sluggish start but it started.. took it to the Harley dealer this morning they checked the battery with meter, they said battery is good. I bought some fuel stabilizer to see if that helps. So you guys think I should replace the battery anyway?