Starting Issue
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Banned
Joined: Nov 2012
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From: California
Starting Issue
Got a 1996 Sportster that just clicks when I hold the ignition button. Battery reads 11.8v when tested. Obvious problem is the battery, right? Watch the video and tell me what you think. Hoping it's not solenoid related.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,212
Likes: 212
Bad battery. Replace before you troubleshoot further. I wouldn't be surprised if that solves your problem.
Thread Starter
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Banned
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 9
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From: California
Just ordered one. I'll be back with an update after it gets here.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
A "no load" battery test is real simple and should always be done before any other test.
- Charge the battery.
- If you've just removed the charger, turn the ignition on for 2-3 seconds and then turn off. This removes any residual (false) over voltage left from the charger.
- If the battery measures < 12.6 volts it's bad, replace it.
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- Charge the battery.
- If you've just removed the charger, turn the ignition on for 2-3 seconds and then turn off. This removes any residual (false) over voltage left from the charger.
- If the battery measures < 12.6 volts it's bad, replace it.
.
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Thread Starter
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Banned
Joined: Nov 2012
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From: California
Got a new battery today, engine flips and starts if I give it a little gas, but turns off right after I let go of the throttle. Any ideas?
Also I noticed only the rear cylinder block would warm up while the front one stayed cold. Does this mean anything?
Also I noticed only the rear cylinder block would warm up while the front one stayed cold. Does this mean anything?
Last edited by LouisB; Nov 29, 2012 at 07:25 PM.
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 393
Likes: 1
From: Southern Indiana
If your bike has been setting for a while and not ridden buy a can of seafoam and add about 4 ounces to some shell 93 octane and change out your old spark plugs with some new ones I gap mine @ 35 then pull your choke out and twist the throttle a few times and start it up.
It will take it a while to warm up then you can ease the choke in and see if it will idle if not then adjust your idle up on the carb a bit.
Once you get it to idle take it out and run the hell out of it so that seafoam can go to work and clean that carb.
It will take it a while to warm up then you can ease the choke in and see if it will idle if not then adjust your idle up on the carb a bit.
Once you get it to idle take it out and run the hell out of it so that seafoam can go to work and clean that carb.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
How many miles are on the bike?
Did you just acquire the bike or has it been sitting unused?
How long since the bike was last ridden (when it ran properly)?
When was the bike last properly serviced. (oil, plugs, adjustments, etc)?