I have a 2009 Sportster XL883. Recently I had to replace the battery when it would not start. I rode for a couple of days and now it is not starting again. When I turn the key to ignition, I do not hear the fuel pump anymore. In fact I haven't heard the fuel pump at all since I changed the battery. The only light that comes on is the check oil light and there is nothing when I press start. After I changed my battery, my switch for run/off next to the start switch did not work for a day. I could start the bike but I had to turn the key to turn it off. Then it began working again, but the indicator lights on my speedometer do not all come on as they use to.

My bike is stranded fortunately in a secure place, but I have no way to get it to the harley shop unless they come pick it up for $200 so its time for me to learn how to work on my bike.

Any suggestions about what might be wrong would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

NateS

 

I'm new to harley's too but when I had the dealer swap out the battery on my nightster I noticed there was the usual positive and negative cables as well as a third positive. It is possible that this third is just hanging there and making intermittant contact with the battery terminal.

When he was installing the new(er) battery I noticed he physically had to hold the third wire in while he tightened the terminal screw.

I'd check to make sure all the wires are clamped down tight and they're all there.

 

You need to start with the basics.
It may be that your original battery died because the charging system isn't working. If that's the case, it would explain why your new battery is now possibly dead. Have you tried recharging the battery or measuring the voltage?

You should also check the tightness of the connections on BOTH ends of BOTH battery cables.

The fact that you haven't "heard" the fuel pump since installing the new battery is irrelevant. Since you said that you rode the bike for 2 days after installing the battery, it obviously had to be working.

 

+1, start with the basics.

 

Thanks, I will try to start with the basics and look at the connections first. I have tried to recharge the battery but I haven't done anything about voltage. I don't know much about electronics, but I guess its time to learn. Thanks for the input.

NateS

 

And I understand why it would be irrelevant about the fuel pump, but I thought that perhaps the difference in starting the bike might be indicative of some other problem. That was a noise that I have heard every time I have started the bike since I bought it for the last two years, and I have not heard it since I changed the battery. So maybe I was mistaken and its not the fuel pump but some other item on the bike that is no longer working when I start it.

Thanks,

NateS

 

Basics...dont forget to check the fuses.
Some have written about fuse box water intrusion issues.

 

Thanks everyone...I'll be able to get down to where my bike is tomorrow and I'll check all this. Hopefully it is all this simple.

NateS