Damsel in distress! Nightster won't start!
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: NH
Damsel in distress! Nightster won't start!
Hi everyone. So my 2008 Nightster wont start. I saw a few threads on here about it, but I want to give my personal situation...
Here are the facts...
It did the battery ticking Friday. Two minutes being on the tender and it started right up.
I then rode it 20 minutes - shut it down for 15 minutes and it started up. Then I Rode 2 minutes to the gas station --did the battery ticking. I turned it off for a few minutes and it started right up.
Then I rode to Laconia!! 40 min there -- all around there -- then 40 min back home -- No problems.
(Didnt ride Saturday)
Sunday - It did two battery ticks and everything shut off. I tendered for 24 hours and Monday it did the same thing.
Then later yesterday and this morning, I turn the key to ACC and everything lights up. I then turn the key to Ignition and everything shuts off!!!
A red "key" symbol keeps flickering dimly. I don't have a Fob. I never got one. I bought this bike in March I have only rode 2k miles since then.
What's going on here??? Thanks in advance for the help!
Here are the facts...
It did the battery ticking Friday. Two minutes being on the tender and it started right up.
I then rode it 20 minutes - shut it down for 15 minutes and it started up. Then I Rode 2 minutes to the gas station --did the battery ticking. I turned it off for a few minutes and it started right up.
Then I rode to Laconia!! 40 min there -- all around there -- then 40 min back home -- No problems.
(Didnt ride Saturday)
Sunday - It did two battery ticks and everything shut off. I tendered for 24 hours and Monday it did the same thing.
Then later yesterday and this morning, I turn the key to ACC and everything lights up. I then turn the key to Ignition and everything shuts off!!!
A red "key" symbol keeps flickering dimly. I don't have a Fob. I never got one. I bought this bike in March I have only rode 2k miles since then.
What's going on here??? Thanks in advance for the help!
Last edited by IrishGirl329; Jun 19, 2012 at 10:01 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,067
Likes: 394
From: Edmonton Alberta Canada
I'd say:
1- loose battery cables either at the battery post or the chassis ground point. (make sure you loosen then re-tighten every one don't just tug on it)
2- corrosion in the fuse box. (check each fuse and the socket for corrosion, also check the two big black square relays in the fuse box and their sockets)
3- if it's not #1 or #2 I'd say it's time for a new battery.
1- loose battery cables either at the battery post or the chassis ground point. (make sure you loosen then re-tighten every one don't just tug on it)
2- corrosion in the fuse box. (check each fuse and the socket for corrosion, also check the two big black square relays in the fuse box and their sockets)
3- if it's not #1 or #2 I'd say it's time for a new battery.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,188
Likes: 24
From: New Hampshire
Hi from Charlestown nh. i assume your from nh too? i would check all your battery connections first as they like to vibrate loose. Particularly the ground where it connects on the motor case. how was laconia? we rode from claremont to hampton beach the 16th but found the weather much worse there than here.
Last edited by IRON1250; Jun 22, 2012 at 01:16 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Essex, UK
This sounds like typical worn out battery bahaviour to me. Poor connections are a possibility but typically you get other things not working like lights and sometimes intermittent running after starting. The reason it will run after riding for a short while is that the battery will be charged while on the move. If its failing it won't hold a charge.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 25,292
Likes: 2,427
From: Eastern NE
I think you "over-tickled" your battery...
I'd say it's probably the original battery in your bike & @ ~4-years it's probably time to replace it...
I'd say it's probably the original battery in your bike & @ ~4-years it's probably time to replace it...
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