Troubleshooting tips for bike not starting
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 424
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From: Ohio
Troubleshooting tips for bike not starting
I need some guidance on what to look at to solve this one time problem I had yesterday.
2011 Electra glide ultra classic. 24k miles. New battery last year.
I rode the bike to work yesterday (started without issue). About 5 hours later I went out to leave and the bike wouldnt turn over. It wasnt the dead battery tic tic tic tic sound. It was trying to turn but just wouldnt. Tried a couple times and same things. About the 4th attempt and it still wasnt turning over but as soon as I released the button it fired right up.
I havent had this occur before. It has, on maybe 2-4 occasions taken longer to start than usual but thats it.
Rode it home and stuck in on the trickle charger and havent tried again but now Im afraid to get stranded somewhere.
what should I start looking into?
2011 Electra glide ultra classic. 24k miles. New battery last year.
I rode the bike to work yesterday (started without issue). About 5 hours later I went out to leave and the bike wouldnt turn over. It wasnt the dead battery tic tic tic tic sound. It was trying to turn but just wouldnt. Tried a couple times and same things. About the 4th attempt and it still wasnt turning over but as soon as I released the button it fired right up.
I havent had this occur before. It has, on maybe 2-4 occasions taken longer to start than usual but thats it.
Rode it home and stuck in on the trickle charger and havent tried again but now Im afraid to get stranded somewhere.
what should I start looking into?
Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,788
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From: along the shore of Mishigami
I would take the battery cables off, clean with a wire brush reinstall. Clean the connections at the frame ground and battery cable on the starter post. Pull your starter relay and clean it and reinstall. On the relay I would spray some contact cleaner on the socket for the relay, install the relay and pull it out a couple of times. Those were the easy items.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 424
Likes: 32
From: Ohio
I would take the battery cables off, clean with a wire brush reinstall. Clean the connections at the frame ground and battery cable on the starter post. Pull your starter relay and clean it and reinstall. On the relay I would spray some contact cleaner on the socket for the relay, install the relay and pull it out a couple of times. Those were the easy items.
Are there any obvious symptoms of a bad/going bad starter? I heard no other strange noises or anything while it was trying to start. I cant explain the sound but its the usual turn the ignition and chug chug electronic sound of it trying to turn over.
Usually it starts right away no problem
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 424
Likes: 32
From: Ohio
Thats fair. I know my power vision was showing 9.something volts while it was trying to turn over. 12 something at rest and 13.6 under load.
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 424
Likes: 32
From: Ohio
Alright new discovery. When I set the key to run the fuel pump did not start up like it should. (You know when you hear it turn up right before you start the bike) so it seems the issue is in there somewhere.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,178
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From: San Diego, CA
12.06V at rest is 50% charge... 12.6+V 100% and 11.31V is 10%
Most say a battery shouldn't go below 9.5v while the engine is cranking over..
Sounds like a bad battery to me... or at least one that should be checked before chasing other possible causes...
Remove it, charge it, then get it load tested, and go from there.
Also, check/clean all battery cables while you are at it... not just at the battery but also grounds at the frame.
Good luck with your diagnosis and repair...
Last edited by hattitude; Aug 29, 2022 at 07:49 PM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
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From: backwoods
I'd just tighten the connections at the battery, put it on charger over night, and see if it starts in the morning.
If it doesn't then I would trouble shoot.
If you are in a rush, put it on charger on 6 or 10 amps for 5 minutes, see if does more. Or a jump pack.
If it doesn't then I would trouble shoot.
If you are in a rush, put it on charger on 6 or 10 amps for 5 minutes, see if does more. Or a jump pack.
Last edited by Rounders; Aug 29, 2022 at 10:13 PM.
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