Lately I’ve been having issues that as soon as I hit the start button everything goes dead.

I pull the seat, loosen the negative cable on the battery and tighten back up and I’m fine for a day or two.

Id think any corrosion would’ve worked itself out bye now, is it ok to try something like dialectric grease on it to keep it from coming back or is it a battery issue.

 

Is it loose when it happens again? Is battery not fastened down so movement when ridding is pulling on negative cable causing bolt to loosen?

That kept happening on mine. On older Softails, a snubber on seat kept battery from moving. My aftermarket seat didn't have snubber

 

You can eliminate the battery with a load test on a fully charged battery. Most AutoZones will do it for free.

 

Still sounds like a loose connection. Check the other end of the cables. And corrosion doesn't "work it's way out". Dielectric grease doesn't clean, it will help prevent corrosion. You need to clean the connections with a wire brush.

 

clean your battery cable ends and battery posts/ the little blocks where the cables bolt to. and clean them WELL.

I recently delt with a similar issue on a mower. even a brand new battery didn't help, lights come on, turn to start CLICK and everything dies. had to basically carve the cable end to virgin lead to get rid of the corrosion and get a good connection. after than it starts great now. Even brushing with a wire brush wasn't enough to clean the corrosion off,

 

As others have said, make sure both battery posts are clean, and make sure the ground and starter cables are clean. Once they are clean, then you can apply some di-electric grease to them. That will help to slow down any corrosion build up. I also use star washers under the bolts to help them maintain a good connection. You would be surprised on what a little "looseness" can do to your electric system!
How old is battery? If more than 2-3 years old, it may need to be replaced. Do take your battery out and have it load tested. You may have a bad battery.
Good Luck on your project.

 

If the only thing you touch, and it starts, is cables I would focus on cables at battery.

Are cables moving causing to loosen? Is battery moving? Are cables clamps good?

tywrap it, strap it, shove block of wood in, battery mounts loose?
I would not start off worrying about things you don't touch.

 

1. What year and model is your motorcycle?
2. If it is older, you may have corrosion internal to the cable(s).
3. How old is the battery?
4. Is the battery a H-D or aftermarket?
5. Check both ends of the cables and the connection to the starter/solenoid.
6. Corrosion does not work itself out by its self, you have to do something to remove/correct it.
7. Also check your fuses & MAXI-Fuse if you have one.

 

Check BOTH ends of your cables. I had a '01 sportster that was difficult to keep the ground cable tight at the frame end while inserting the battery.

 

Like "davekp" stated, check both end of the battery cables. I had the negative battery cable loosen up where it attached to the tranny on my SG.