Issue with starting
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,186
Likes: 2,412
From: USA
For clarity, you are talking about the relay/solenoid on the starter motor?
If so, everything is working, but electricity is not getting to the starter motor.
Dirty contacts & is linger are a common problem with this starter motor. When it builds up, the relay clicks, but the starter motor will not spin. Its an easy fix through the cover on the relay/solenoid.
Avweak battery can also do this.
If so, everything is working, but electricity is not getting to the starter motor.
Dirty contacts & is linger are a common problem with this starter motor. When it builds up, the relay clicks, but the starter motor will not spin. Its an easy fix through the cover on the relay/solenoid.
Avweak battery can also do this.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,428
Likes: 30,647
From: Pennsylvania
Have you tried shorting across the oil pressure switch or checking to see if voltage is getting to the switch, to see if the light will come on?
Are there any fuses in your system? take each one out and test it with a volt ohm meter, then put a small amount of dielectric grease on the blades and plug them back in. Make sure when you plug them back in that they are tight, sometimes the female side gets loose and the blades do not seat properly.
Are there any fuses in your system? take each one out and test it with a volt ohm meter, then put a small amount of dielectric grease on the blades and plug them back in. Make sure when you plug them back in that they are tight, sometimes the female side gets loose and the blades do not seat properly.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 10,833
Likes: 6,485
From: Canada Flats
I own a load tester, and have used it.
I have really done everything that I can think of to solve this problem, but I must be missing something.
I've metered, checked, tested, and replaced everything I can think of , with exceptions of the ECM itself. I don't have that equipment for that. But have some other ideas to check again. Also, the TSSM supposedly has a battery in it with no way to check it that I've found. But, I can't understand why the low oil pressure light was working before, but now won't. Confusing. As I understand, if the ECM can't "see" the sensor, it won't let the motor start! Am I correct in this?
I have really done everything that I can think of to solve this problem, but I must be missing something.
I've metered, checked, tested, and replaced everything I can think of , with exceptions of the ECM itself. I don't have that equipment for that. But have some other ideas to check again. Also, the TSSM supposedly has a battery in it with no way to check it that I've found. But, I can't understand why the low oil pressure light was working before, but now won't. Confusing. As I understand, if the ECM can't "see" the sensor, it won't let the motor start! Am I correct in this?
Have you checked the wiring to your ignition ? could be a loose or corroded connection or possibly a bad point inside . With your type , I believe you need a special tool to remove and align it .
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 61
Likes: 6
From: Cheyenne, Wyoming
Nothing even going to the starter solenoid.
It's like it get to the relay, but no further.
As I understand , if the ECM doesn't "read" something, it won't allow the starting system to work. So, with that in mind, I'm trying to find out what the hell is going on .
It all worked fine before, now, not. On any bike, even those other than Harley, the oil light comes on and stays on until oil pressure is built . This one has worked all along, now it doesn't respond at all. I tried a "short across, no go.
but one wire is for the oil pressure gauge, and the other for the ECM to detect that oil pressure Am I wrong?
Trust me, I've spent a lot of hours trying to figure this out.
It's like it get to the relay, but no further.
As I understand , if the ECM doesn't "read" something, it won't allow the starting system to work. So, with that in mind, I'm trying to find out what the hell is going on .
It all worked fine before, now, not. On any bike, even those other than Harley, the oil light comes on and stays on until oil pressure is built . This one has worked all along, now it doesn't respond at all. I tried a "short across, no go.
but one wire is for the oil pressure gauge, and the other for the ECM to detect that oil pressure Am I wrong?
Trust me, I've spent a lot of hours trying to figure this out.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 61
Likes: 6
From: Cheyenne, Wyoming
Everything cleaned checked and almost polished!
battery load tested and good, grounds rechecked and cleaned again, and shorts checked for.
wiring tested for shorts and continuity.
Relays cleand and checked.
battery load tested and good, grounds rechecked and cleaned again, and shorts checked for.
wiring tested for shorts and continuity.
Relays cleand and checked.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,428
Likes: 30,647
From: Pennsylvania
Ok silly question, you say you have a TSSM, do you have fobs and are the fob batteries good? My security system has a siren (2019 trike) and it has a 9 volt rechargeable battery in the siren unit. I do not know the security system on your bike. That is about all I got other than taking it to a dealer so they can check the electrical system IAW the electrical manual.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,032
Likes: 12,557
From: South Carolina
Pull the start relay, turn on the ignition.
Read voltage on the connector for the relay where pin 30 goes, what is it?
Read voltage on the connector for the relay where pin 30 goes, what is it?
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 61
Likes: 6
From: Cheyenne, Wyoming
Remember, people, I bought this bike in pieces off a rack at a bike shop. I've "twisted wrenches" for my entire adult life, which by no means makes me an "expert", but experienced.
As for electrical, I do ok, except electronics, which drive me nuts at time . So much for "background."
Yes, it has a TSSM, but no FOB. No one has ever been able to establish if this bike even needs one as some that year didn't. But if it does, it doesn't indicate that it does.
As I've mentioned before, it started up fine without one once I got everything re-assembled. For about 3 weeks it had no issues, then this. Everything on the bike worked, and I had just a few electrical issues to take care of. Things looked up, then this.
The "FOB" thing has crossed my mind a few times, but when I try to check the possible "FOB" setup ( I have the instructions), the bike will have nothing to do with it. So, I'm assuming it doesn't need one.
As for the testing, I'll be back at it again today. I have to be missing something. (My mind mostly)
As for electrical, I do ok, except electronics, which drive me nuts at time . So much for "background."
Yes, it has a TSSM, but no FOB. No one has ever been able to establish if this bike even needs one as some that year didn't. But if it does, it doesn't indicate that it does.
As I've mentioned before, it started up fine without one once I got everything re-assembled. For about 3 weeks it had no issues, then this. Everything on the bike worked, and I had just a few electrical issues to take care of. Things looked up, then this.
The "FOB" thing has crossed my mind a few times, but when I try to check the possible "FOB" setup ( I have the instructions), the bike will have nothing to do with it. So, I'm assuming it doesn't need one.
As for the testing, I'll be back at it again today. I have to be missing something. (My mind mostly)