Hi, I have a 91 sportster 1200 that I am having a problem with. When I turn the key to the on position and flick the handlebar control switch to run, the lights will dim and then there is a clicking noise coming from underneath the seat. In between the clicks the lights will dim and then get bright. Also when I have the handle bar control switch in the run position the starter button will not work. Do you think the starter relay is bad. Our could it be the main breaker. I have not been able to exactly determine the place of the clicking. And does anybody know if you can buy a starter relay at napa. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Is the battery good? How old?

Check all connections and grounds for the battery for corrosion or loose.

The clicking is either the starter trying to fire or a relay/breaker gone bad.

 

the click is intermitant. It will click and then there will be about a thirty second delay. And it will click again. After one click the lights will dim. And then after another click the lights will get bright again. And this only happens when the handlebar control switch is in the on position.

 

Are you holding the starter button in for 30 seconds at a time?

If so that could cause a multitude of problems. Start simple- at the battery, then cables/wiring, then relay/breakers, then to the switches on the bars.

Do you have a manual for the bike? Most explain in detail how to troubleshoot.

Let us know what you find, don't keep trying to start it without doing basic troubleshooting first, that will just cause more problems.

 

When a battery is low the starter will make that clicking sound. When my battery went out on me it was a bad voltage regulator. Yours sort of sounds like there is a handlebar switch problem. But Iam not exactly a bike mechanic just learning from trial and error.