Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

2008 Nightster won't start

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 15, 2012 | 11:30 PM
  #1  
OnePiece's Avatar
OnePiece
Thread Starter
|
Stage IV
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Redmond
Default 2008 Nightster won't start

I encounter a strange problem with my 08 Nightster. The bike starts normal when I ride it home. I turn off the ignition switch while I pick up mails. When I try to start my bike again, I heard a clicking sound then bike lose all power. I mean the headlight, break light everything. The bike won't start at all. I tried to turn on/off key and ignition switch, nothing happen. Does anyone know what may cause this issue? Thanks!
 
Reply
Old May 16, 2012 | 12:36 AM
  #2  
DK Custom's Avatar
DK Custom
Platinum Sponsor
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 18,685
Likes: 5,819
From: Hickory Flat, Mississippi
Default

Loose battery cable(s) is the most likely culprit.
 
__________________
DKCustomProducts.com
Call/Text: 662-252-8828
Email: Support@DKCustomProducts.com
Open House Details














Reply
Old May 16, 2012 | 11:22 AM
  #3  
Scuba10jdl's Avatar
Scuba10jdl
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,212
Likes: 212
Default

Originally Posted by DK Custom
Loose battery cable(s) is the most likely culprit.
+1 Check all four cables, particularly the ground cables, to make sure they are snug and tight with a clean connection.
 
Reply
Old May 16, 2012 | 12:36 PM
  #4  
cHarley's Avatar
cHarley
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
Default

Originally Posted by OnePiece
I encounter a strange problem with my 08 Nightster. The bike starts normal when I ride it home. I turn off the ignition switch while I pick up mails. When I try to start my bike again, I heard a clicking sound then bike lose all power. I mean the headlight, break light everything. The bike won't start at all. I tried to turn on/off key and ignition switch, nothing happen. Does anyone know what may cause this issue? Thanks!
The wording of your post indicates that this is a repeated problem whenever you ride the bike home (from work?). Is that the case or did it happen ONE time?

Did/does the bike restart later when it's cooled off?
 
Reply
Old May 16, 2012 | 01:23 PM
  #5  
OnePiece's Avatar
OnePiece
Thread Starter
|
Stage IV
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Redmond
Default

Originally Posted by Scuba10jdl
+1 Check all four cables, particularly the ground cables, to make sure they are snug and tight with a clean connection.
Thanks for the tips!
 
Reply
Old May 16, 2012 | 01:35 PM
  #6  
OnePiece's Avatar
OnePiece
Thread Starter
|
Stage IV
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Redmond
Default

Originally Posted by cHarley
The wording of your post indicates that this is a repeated problem whenever you ride the bike home (from work?). Is that the case or did it happen ONE time?

Did/does the bike restart later when it's cooled off?
Yes, I was riding home from work. I can start the bike again after some time, I didn't do anything. I turned off the cutoff switch then turned it on again and tried to start the bike. I hit the same problem again! There was a clicking sound, then lose all powers. (no lights) I noticed the power came back after a while....
 
Reply
Old May 16, 2012 | 10:41 PM
  #7  
OnePiece's Avatar
OnePiece
Thread Starter
|
Stage IV
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Redmond
Default

Problem solved! The ground screw on the battery was loose. Thanks everyone.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bigkes09
Sportster Models
10
Jun 18, 2012 10:07 PM
Blathian
Sportster Models
6
Sep 23, 2010 08:26 PM
lastblueprint
Sportster Models
1
May 27, 2010 03:50 AM
little_mac
Sportster Models
19
May 22, 2010 11:38 AM
scrname321
Ignition/Tuner/ECM/Fuel Injection
13
May 11, 2009 10:46 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:35 PM.

story-0
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-6
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-7
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-8
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE