HELP...Cold start issues good battery
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 81
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From: Queens, NYC
HELP...Cold start issues good battery
Ok I have a 09 ultra, 255 cams, power commander V with auto tune, etc... If its low 30's farenhiet the bike will not cold start. This is year 3 and no one can tell me why. Battery is fresh and tenderd. i hit the start button and it may pop once while cranking but will not fire. It cranks normally for a minute or two until the battery eventually drains. Once the bike gets close to 40 degrees it starts right up. Its as if the coil doesnt spark in the cold. Has left me stranded at my girls house after the temp drops overnight. My buddy a mechanic ran into another similar bike with the same issue. I need to ride my bike all year, my gal lives in manhattan and needless to say there is no parking for cars....
Please help....
Please help....
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,301
Likes: 24
From: Minden LA
A shot in the dark here: get some starting fluid and give her a shot on those cold mornings. If it starts, "perhaps" your model has an inlet air temp sensor that controls start mixture, that may be erroneous at low temps. They make an inline plug tester that will show you if it is getting spark, while still sparking the plug in the engine. That way you can confirm or eliminate the coil idea. Just thinking out loud !!! I may be way off base, but, I'm not seeing any other ideas just yet.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,301
Likes: 24
From: Minden LA
Here's another thought: put a 75 watt bulb near the coil on those cold nights, to keep the temp above that 40 line. Fixed?-- get a coil. If not, point the light at the air filter area and try that. Again, just a thought.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,962
Likes: 140
From: NY
A shot in the dark here: get some starting fluid and give her a shot on those cold mornings. If it starts, "perhaps" your model has an inlet air temp sensor that controls start mixture, that may be erroneous at low temps. They make an inline plug tester that will show you if it is getting spark, while still sparking the plug in the engine. That way you can confirm or eliminate the coil idea. Just thinking out loud !!! I may be way off base, but, I'm not seeing any other ideas just yet.
LOL.you beat me to it!
I was going to suggest he check the same 2 items.
Scott
Last edited by wscott; Oct 21, 2015 at 07:58 PM.
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 55
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From: Mechanicsville, Virginia
I had a similar problem on my 2010 RK. I ended up putting a 60watt lamp under the oil pan and seemed to help but didn't solve the problem...I went to a lighter weight engine oil too. But what I really think was my problem was a weak starter...the starter clutch went bad for the second time and said hell w it...I installed a new starter and she fires right up now! Only have 40k miles...Got an aftermarket all ***** starter on Amazon for $220. Good luck.
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,301
Likes: 24
From: Minden LA
Are there stock or aftermarket plugs in it ? If aftermarket, put in the good old stock plugs and try that. Aftermarket iridium type plugs may run cooler, but in cold weather, a hot spark may mean the difference in starting or not. When it won't start, have you checked to see if the plugs are fouled or dry?
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