Starting problem
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Novice
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 17
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From: Boston, MA
Starting problem
So finally got some good weather and should be out riding but.............Went to start bike, (2004-883) nothing when turned key, more of humming sound than clicking. Light on, indicator lights on, horn worked. Have a 12V 12HP snowblower sitting right next to it so I jumped it (snowblower off) just used battery, removed jumper the minute bike started. Bike turned over and started right away but ran very rough with back fires. Then died. Now nothing no sound when I turn key, no light, no horn. Any ideas? Thanks in advance
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
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From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
Sounds like a dead/bad battery to me. What's the battery voltage, measured to the 1/10th of a volt? IE 12.x
How old is the battery? Is the battery kept on a maintenance charger (Battery Tender)?
How old is the battery? Is the battery kept on a maintenance charger (Battery Tender)?
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 17
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From: Boston, MA
Charley, thanks for quick response. Unfortunately bike is in garage at my work and I just came home to use computer. Thus cannot measure voltage. I do not have it on a tender. Not sure of age, just bought bike a month ago. It sat in showroom all winter and I have only put 200 mi on it. just curious what might cause it to start with a jump and backfire etc? and why then batt would completely die and give me no lights/horn etc?
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
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From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
A battery that's left to sit for months without a maintenance charger will eventually go dead. With older batteries, this often results in one or more battery cells shorting out and the battery at that point is beyond recovery.
Your choice is to put the battery on a 2amp charger for about 8 hours and see if it holds a charge, or replace it.
Your choice is to put the battery on a 2amp charger for about 8 hours and see if it holds a charge, or replace it.
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Novice
Joined: Jan 2014
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From: Boston, MA
OK, now stupid question. I have tender leads but do not have a tender. I have a small charger, will it charge with negative clip to frame rather than to neg side of battery? I pulled seat but still cannot access neg side of battery (looks like need to remove oil cover/reservoir) I jumped using frame as ground. I appreciate the the answers to basic questions but new to bike and dealer was out of service manuals, have not gotten to another dealer to pick one up.
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Novice
Joined: Jan 2014
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From: Boston, MA
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,213
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From: florida
I replaced the starter relay and system relay, $20 outlay and bike starts without hesitation. bike was only 4 yrs old.
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From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: San Diego, CA
That's the same symptoms my truck had, battery just up and died. Got it started with jumpers, but minute I got home and tried to restart, nada. I'd put it on a low amp (2A) for several hours as charley recommends. If it's lead/acid and has cells you can check, might be worth adding some distilled water if cells are low. The plates need to be covered completely with battery electrolyte mixture for long life.
John
John