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

starting problems

Old May 20, 2013 | 02:27 AM
  #1  
Judge1989's Avatar
Judge1989
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 90
Likes: 1
From: Imperial, MO
Default starting problems

Hey Guys!

So my 94 sporty 1200 is being a little c***. Basically on the way to work today there was a loud whining noise coming from the bike along with what sounded like grinding. I pulled in to work and shut the bike off. I did not see any damage externally so I tried to start the bike again. To my surprise as soon as I turned the key the bike cranked and fired. I do not have any of my switches disabled (besides turn signals) So this was "neat". The noise was gone so I went in to work. When I came out from work same thing, Start with the key not with the switch. No noise so no worries right?
I stopped at the gas station to grab a pack of smokes next to my house and when I came out the bike won't start. Headlight comes on. Showing 11.9v with key in running position. Starter switch doesn't start bike, However with the key off the starter switch will turn on the headlight when I push it. Cool right??
Anybody else have a possessed bike and want to share some thoughts?

-Judge
 
Reply
Old May 20, 2013 | 05:33 AM
  #2  
cHarley's Avatar
cHarley
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
Default

11.9v is a dead battery.
There's a difference between "won't start" and won't crank, which is it?
 
Reply
Old May 20, 2013 | 06:12 AM
  #3  
grbrown's Avatar
grbrown
Club Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Default

Originally Posted by Judge1989
The noise was gone so I went in to work. When I came out from work same thing, Start with the key not with the switch. No noise so no worries right?

-Judge
Plenty to worry about! The noise may well have been the starter running while the engine was working, which is not good! Starting on the key and not the switch is also not good! You may simply have a failed starter relay, which is where I suggest you start.
 
Reply
Old May 20, 2013 | 06:22 AM
  #4  
dtaylor00's Avatar
dtaylor00
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 355
Likes: 3
From: Charleston, SC
Default

I agree. Sounds like your Starter relay is powered on, without being commanded on by the start switch.
 
Reply
Old May 20, 2013 | 07:30 AM
  #5  
chappy99's Avatar
chappy99
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 669
Likes: 2
Default

Starter relay,under seat clutch side.
 
Reply
Old May 21, 2013 | 01:30 AM
  #6  
Judge1989's Avatar
Judge1989
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 90
Likes: 1
From: Imperial, MO
Default

Originally Posted by cHarley
11.9v is a dead battery.
There's a difference between "won't start" and won't crank, which is it?
Won't Crank. No starter function at all. The starter has power, Just not doing anything. And that's 11.9v with the headlight on. 12.6~ with it key in off position. I'm gonna tear into it tomorrow morning before work and see what I see. Thanks for the replies guys!
 
Reply
Old May 21, 2013 | 06:56 AM
  #7  
cHarley's Avatar
cHarley
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
Default

Originally Posted by Judge1989
Won't Crank. No starter function at all. The starter has power, Just not doing anything. And that's 11.9v with the headlight on. 12.6~ with it key in off position. I'm gonna tear into it tomorrow morning before work and see what I see. Thanks for the replies guys!
And that's still a bad battery, if you're measuring at the battery.
 
Reply
Old May 22, 2013 | 12:09 AM
  #8  
Judge1989's Avatar
Judge1989
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 90
Likes: 1
From: Imperial, MO
Default

Originally Posted by cHarley
And that's still a bad battery, if you're measuring at the battery.
The battery may also need replacement. I am not denying that, but may I ask why you say so? .7v~ is an acceptable drop for a headlight if I am not mistaken. If I am please let me know.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
parrishbjj
Sportster Models
2
Mar 28, 2014 06:04 AM
Superfly3176
Sportster Models
9
May 18, 2012 04:20 PM
fxsti03
Ignition/Tuner/ECM/Fuel Injection
0
May 9, 2011 08:20 AM
KJeep
Sportster Models
17
Apr 21, 2008 11:25 AM
priceamp
Ignition/Tuner/ECM/Fuel Injection
3
Sep 13, 2006 09:28 PM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:49 AM.

story-0
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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