2008 Ultra Intermitant cranking issue
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6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
From: Nashville
2008 Ultra Intermitant cranking issue
2008 Ultra w/security system. Bumped to 103", true duals, 255 cams (I think) and K&N element. Battery is less than 6 months old and the key fobs both have new batteries. Bike has 30k miles. In the last 9 months it will not always crank. Sitting on the bike yesterday, kickstand up, I turn on ignition, move kill to "run", hit the start button and nothing. I can hear a faint click coming from near the starter. I get off the bike to lean down to the starter area to hear better, hit start and it cranks right up. Dealer could not get it to malfunction. If you have had a similar issue, please let me know the solution.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
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From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
if you are handy:
disconnect negative cable at the battery ( so bike is dead and you cannot hurt it or yourself)
crack the starter mounting bolts one at a time and retighten.
follow the negative battery cable to where it attaches, crack and retighten- any corrosion- replace ( $12 autozone)
this is to make sure you have good grounds.
to starter now, loosen and retighten the + cable where it attaches ( bike is dead, right?)
reconnect battery cable
you may have a starter relay going out -and this is a common complaint- but the relays are rated for 100,000 cycles I have relays 30 years old that work fine.
but check and clean any corrosion on the plug contacts.
start there
the starter relay allows power to the solenoid switch--- which allows power to the starter motor.
we can bypass the starter relay, handlebar switch and all that wiring by pulling the green wire off of the solenoid.
a roadside fix is to carry a 2' piece of wire with a terminal on one end.
with bike in N you pull off the green wire and attach your jumper wire to the solenoid- you touch the other end to the battery + ( or battery tender pigtail +) and the starter will turn.
there is also a replacement solenoid end cover for about $30 which uses a plunger which you press with your hand ( lots of teh choppers use these for simplicity of wiring- )
will all that good the starter should be fine there are almost nothing in the starter to wear out- and they are easily serviced- I've rebuilt the hitachi starter in my hi-compression 88 FXRP 3 times ( orig relay) clean the commutator and replace the bearings and Bendix.
IF you ever hit the starter and it is not turning and you hear a whining STOP- that is the motor windings burning up.
for long starter life, flick the starter button...wait a sec then press and hold the button until the motor starts ( assuming your problem is solved)- this will help you starter last.
mike
disconnect negative cable at the battery ( so bike is dead and you cannot hurt it or yourself)
crack the starter mounting bolts one at a time and retighten.
follow the negative battery cable to where it attaches, crack and retighten- any corrosion- replace ( $12 autozone)
this is to make sure you have good grounds.
to starter now, loosen and retighten the + cable where it attaches ( bike is dead, right?)
reconnect battery cable
you may have a starter relay going out -and this is a common complaint- but the relays are rated for 100,000 cycles I have relays 30 years old that work fine.
but check and clean any corrosion on the plug contacts.
start there
the starter relay allows power to the solenoid switch--- which allows power to the starter motor.
we can bypass the starter relay, handlebar switch and all that wiring by pulling the green wire off of the solenoid.
a roadside fix is to carry a 2' piece of wire with a terminal on one end.
with bike in N you pull off the green wire and attach your jumper wire to the solenoid- you touch the other end to the battery + ( or battery tender pigtail +) and the starter will turn.
there is also a replacement solenoid end cover for about $30 which uses a plunger which you press with your hand ( lots of teh choppers use these for simplicity of wiring- )
will all that good the starter should be fine there are almost nothing in the starter to wear out- and they are easily serviced- I've rebuilt the hitachi starter in my hi-compression 88 FXRP 3 times ( orig relay) clean the commutator and replace the bearings and Bendix.
IF you ever hit the starter and it is not turning and you hear a whining STOP- that is the motor windings burning up.
for long starter life, flick the starter button...wait a sec then press and hold the button until the motor starts ( assuming your problem is solved)- this will help you starter last.
mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Apr 21, 2016 at 02:20 PM.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
From: Nashville
Mkguitar, Went to the garage, looked at the starter. No bolts holding it in. One of them laying on below the slot it goes in. Disconnected the battery, but 2 bolts back in with lock-tite. I am hoping that did it. I would test it but it is raining. Many thanks to you on this one.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
wow- that would be it---- when you put it on the jiffy and bent down to look at the starter, you got a better electrical contact than when the bike was held up right.
the starter gets it's ground through those bolts holding it to the case.
BTW I crack and retighten those bolts probably once a year- it's just one of the things I check. peg mounts can get loose, touch and check everything you can reach.
I find all kindsa things on wash day with bucket and sponge running my hands all over the bike
Mike
the starter gets it's ground through those bolts holding it to the case.
BTW I crack and retighten those bolts probably once a year- it's just one of the things I check. peg mounts can get loose, touch and check everything you can reach.
I find all kindsa things on wash day with bucket and sponge running my hands all over the bike
Mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Apr 21, 2016 at 10:37 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Belfast, N. Ireland
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Eastern N.C.
Thats the first thought I had too.
DANG!
kroozeabout.
DANG!
kroozeabout.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2014
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From: NY
2008 Ultra w/security system. Bumped to 103", true duals, 255 cams (I think) and K&N element. Battery is less than 6 months old and the key fobs both have new batteries. Bike has 30k miles. In the last 9 months it will not always crank. Sitting on the bike yesterday, kickstand up, I turn on ignition, move kill to "run", hit the start button and nothing. I can hear a faint click coming from near the starter. I get off the bike to lean down to the starter area to hear better, hit start and it cranks right up. Dealer could not get it to malfunction. If you have had a similar issue, please let me know the solution.
OPPS,I MISSED HE FOUND LOOSE MOUNTING BOLTS WHICH SHOULD FIX IT.
I am surprised he didnt hear any grinding noise at the starter drive to ring gear interface with starter bolts so loose.
Scott
Last edited by wscott; Apr 21, 2016 at 11:31 PM.
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