FLH Starter Problems
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 400
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From: Beachwood, NJ
FLH Starter Problems
I have a 1976 FLH Electra Glide and I was recently having problems with my starter. I replaced the starter motor because I thought that was the problem, wasn't exactly it, but the brushes were bad anyway so I replaced it. I had a dead battery and hooked it up to a charger/jump starter. I make attempts at jumpstarting it and I get this chattering problem where it seems like the starter justwon't engage. I thought it could have been the celenoid so Ihave a brand new celenoid on it as well now and it does the same thing. I have been told that the reason is because the battery cell walls have collapsed and it's not giving a good ground or something along those lines. Before I go and tear it all apart I want to find outif anybody else had this problem and has been fixed by getting a new battery. I have ordered a new battery from JP Cycles, should be here by Friday (hopefully sooner). I tried to get the battery somewhere closer, but the only other place that carries it (except HD $85.00 by the way) is Sears Automotive and they were out of stock. If there is anything else that can be tried to fix this problem? I'm open for suggestions.
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 400
Likes: 0
From: Beachwood, NJ
RE: FLH Starter Problems
I opened up the primary because I thought that could be an issue too, but the teeth are all there and everything is straight. Nothing is bentor broken inside the primary. Should also mention it is a belt drive primary.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2007
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From:
RE: FLH Starter Problems
I have a 1990 that 50% of the time you hit the starter button and all you hear is the relay clicking. I have replaced the battery as well as the relayand determined it is a wiring issue. I put a push button on the solenoid until I can locate the wire issue. $30 bucks and much better than using a jumper wire across the starter battery lead and the solenoid . Good luck
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 6
From: Huntersville, NC
RE: FLH Starter Problems
better than using a jumper wire across the starter battery lead and the solenoid
Check your main battery cables with a meter. Sounds like low voltage
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 38
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From:
RE: FLH Starter Problems
I have checked the voltage and I am at 12v until I plug the selonoid lead in then it drops to 7.9 volts. I still am not sold the selonoid is bad until I check all the wiring... ever look in the fairing... there are a ton of wire connectors.
The jumper thing is just taking a piece of wire of pretty good size gauge and shorting across the two conectors on the battery.
The jumper thing is just taking a piece of wire of pretty good size gauge and shorting across the two conectors on the battery.
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 400
Likes: 0
From: Beachwood, NJ
RE: FLH Starter Problems
I have hooked up a volt meter to the celenoid while using the jumper/charger and getting 12v so I don't think it's the wiring. I have also changed the relay.