starter or battery??
starter or battery??
2005 ultra , battery was new 8-2013 , used to spin freely mabe twice then fire up , but since about a week ago it is like a car out of time , not spinning but kinda like bumping then it starts.
battery voltage seems good , not running --13.5-to 13.9
running --14.2-to14.5. running volt gauge is at 14
whatch y'all think
thanks mike
battery voltage seems good , not running --13.5-to 13.9
running --14.2-to14.5. running volt gauge is at 14
whatch y'all think
thanks mike
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Didn't realise that Batman was a Harley fan, but he's right! Verify the battery is in good shape. If you have a battery charger (not a tender), disconnect it and charge overnight, then try again, to see if that improves starting.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
so charge battery with a charger, take to autozone for a free load test
while the battery is out, loosen and clean the cable connections- AT THE OTHER END.
if you see any white powder coming out of the cable's insulation- the wire is rotted.
replace at autozone for $15 each.
checks need to be done with known good battery and cables.
1.) motors always stop on the compression stroke.
if you flick the starter button then motor will either turn past top dead center OR rebound.
Either way it can get some momentum before hitting compression again when you press and hold the starter button
2.) on many models the ignition is set to rotate a couple before spark so that the momentum can build.
twin cams have light flywheels
3.) if you hear the starter whining- but not turning, let go the button, the windings are burning up
4.) if the battery is really weak the solenoid may chatter- stop. allowing this to occur will damage the solenoid
mike
while the battery is out, loosen and clean the cable connections- AT THE OTHER END.
if you see any white powder coming out of the cable's insulation- the wire is rotted.
replace at autozone for $15 each.
checks need to be done with known good battery and cables.
1.) motors always stop on the compression stroke.
if you flick the starter button then motor will either turn past top dead center OR rebound.
Either way it can get some momentum before hitting compression again when you press and hold the starter button
2.) on many models the ignition is set to rotate a couple before spark so that the momentum can build.
twin cams have light flywheels
3.) if you hear the starter whining- but not turning, let go the button, the windings are burning up
4.) if the battery is really weak the solenoid may chatter- stop. allowing this to occur will damage the solenoid
mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Nov 7, 2014 at 04:35 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 628
Likes: 0
From: Trim Town
It's most likely the battery. The heat kills batteries. I have to replace mine here in Phoenix every couple years. In my old Fatboy even more often than that. I buy the Batteries Plus ones that have the 2 year free replacement warranty.
what do you pay for those
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,664
Likes: 184
From: Indiana, USA
My '13 is now almost 2 years old and no starter issues
My old beater is 11 years old with over 50k mi and never a starter issue
The last bike I sold i had over 20 years and over 80k mi and never a starter issue
None of those ever had the starter replaced however about every 5 years the glass mat batteries would act like this and needed replaced with the 1st cold snap of the winter season.
My old beater is 11 years old with over 50k mi and never a starter issue
The last bike I sold i had over 20 years and over 80k mi and never a starter issue
None of those ever had the starter replaced however about every 5 years the glass mat batteries would act like this and needed replaced with the 1st cold snap of the winter season.
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