Any ideas on starting issue?
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,287
Likes: 592
From: USA
Any ideas on starting issue?
So my ultra classic started with an issue last fall. When I go to start it sometimes it will just turn and turn. I let off the starter hit it again and it fires right up. I held the starter once for about ten seconds just to see if it would start while doing this. It just kept turning and backfired twice. Let off hit the starter and fired right up. It does occasionally start on the first try. Occasionally it may take three or four. Most times it starts on the second attempt. It has a stage one with SE pro tuner. Started fine for the 2 1/2 after the tune before this problem. So far the only thing I've tried were new spark plugs. Also it runs fine after it starts.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
this can be a weak battery- all the power is used to crank and not enough power is available for the fuel pump, ecm and ignition.
I'd pull your battery and load test it at autozone- while it is out clean and check the cable connections on both ends.
do NOT trust the battery pull strap- it is probably chafed thru about 80% and will drop the battery on your tank!
when removing battery, pull negative cables first.
on install negative cables LAST
mike
I'd pull your battery and load test it at autozone- while it is out clean and check the cable connections on both ends.
do NOT trust the battery pull strap- it is probably chafed thru about 80% and will drop the battery on your tank!
when removing battery, pull negative cables first.
on install negative cables LAST
mike
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,287
Likes: 592
From: USA
this can be a weak battery- all the power is used to crank and not enough power is available for the fuel pump, ecm and ignition.
I'd pull your battery and load test it at autozone- while it is out clean and check the cable connections on both ends.
do NOT trust the battery pull strap- it is probably chafed thru about 80% and will drop the battery on your tank!
when removing battery, pull negative cables first.
on install negative cables LAST
mike
I'd pull your battery and load test it at autozone- while it is out clean and check the cable connections on both ends.
do NOT trust the battery pull strap- it is probably chafed thru about 80% and will drop the battery on your tank!
when removing battery, pull negative cables first.
on install negative cables LAST
mike
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
wscott tracks battery prices for us- the Deka is pretty good, but this last time I went with the yuasa ETX for $132
there are plenty threads if you want to go down that rat hole
Mike
there are plenty threads if you want to go down that rat hole
Mike
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
That makes some sense. My 07 RK won't fire when starting in gear. But it starts right up in neutral. I guess the clutch resistance could have just enough drag to pull juice away from the pump and ecm.
Beary
Beary
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 428
Likes: 35
From: Calgary Alberta Canada
If you have a VOM meter put leads on battery while cranking it over. See how low the voltage drops. I just went through all this with my 2011 SG. in the end I added 5% cranking fuel with my PowerVision tuner and now it fires like it used to. I found that each time you turn on key it gets a cold cranking "Squirt" so by turning it on several times you are "enrichening" the cold start fuel. Does it start fine after the first start of the day? Thats what mine was doing? This started after I rebuilt mine to the FM 107. Never had this problem with my last FM 107 build but each engine is a bit different I guess?
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 353
Likes: 1
From: Texas
2011 rkc
I went to my locale Harley dealer. And was going to get some new spark plugs. The parts guy said i should use Screaming Eagle plugs. So I did and everytime I started my bike it would backfire. So I went back to the HD dealer and got the stock plugs and it never happend agian.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 783
Likes: 126
From: East Coast
The 07's were fitted with Idle Air Controllers. (IAC). The IAC was responsible for idle/start. Over time crud could build up on their 'seat' causing them not to 'park' properly - resulting in hard starts. The fix was either replace or clean.