Hard starting issue
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 39
Likes: 14
From: Florida
Hard starting issue
Hello all, I have a 93 FLHTC Electra Glide that's been giving me a hard time starting. I replaced the battery with a newer stronger one just last month and still having to keep a battery tender on it daily otherwise it will chug along but never turn over completely as if it's getting stuck under compression. I also replaced the starter solenoid because it was time and someone suggested that might be the problem, still same. I don't think it's the starter because I never get that whistle or sliding feeling, it just gets bogged down due to lack of oomph. I'm no motorcycle mechanic but I do enjoy tinkering so a lot of these seemingly simple diagnosis pass me by.
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,539
Likes: 692
From: magnolia tx
Of course check battery wiring connections, the bike is a 93, has the starter ever been replaced? If not that would be my guess, but you need to load test the battery, just because its new does not mean its good, might also need to check for a parasitic draw draining the battery
Last edited by mike131; Feb 8, 2024 at 03:16 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,183
Likes: 2,131
From: W. Texas
Well it's gonna be a step by step thing for us not being there
Mike 131 is correct get the battery tested and ck connections and battery cable/wiring conditions
New battery ___Umm Ok it's still a possibility maybe a bit slim but it still can and Has happened.
WP
Mike 131 is correct get the battery tested and ck connections and battery cable/wiring conditions
New battery ___Umm Ok it's still a possibility maybe a bit slim but it still can and Has happened.
WP
Last edited by WP50; Feb 8, 2024 at 04:18 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,428
Likes: 30,648
From: Pennsylvania
As above, the brushes and or armature could be worn out. May want to rebuild, take it to a shop that rebuilds starters, or buy a new starter.
Best to take it to a shop that rebuilds starters and have them test it, give you a price for rebuild that you can compare to the price of a new starter.
Depending on the miles the bike has on it, the starter is 26 years old.
New OEM Starter is $416.58 Aftermarket cost is $99.00 and up depending on where you look.
NOTE:
The above information, while credible, is worth what you paid for it and should not be considered gospel.
Do due diligence, research and have a H-D Field Service Manual before working on your bike.
You will probably have many opinions and suggestions presented; make sure you research the person providing the helpful information as there are some who provide good information and some who speak out of other orifices with gibberish. You will figure out this quickly.
Best to take it to a shop that rebuilds starters and have them test it, give you a price for rebuild that you can compare to the price of a new starter.
Depending on the miles the bike has on it, the starter is 26 years old.
New OEM Starter is $416.58 Aftermarket cost is $99.00 and up depending on where you look.
NOTE:
The above information, while credible, is worth what you paid for it and should not be considered gospel.
Do due diligence, research and have a H-D Field Service Manual before working on your bike.
You will probably have many opinions and suggestions presented; make sure you research the person providing the helpful information as there are some who provide good information and some who speak out of other orifices with gibberish. You will figure out this quickly.
Last edited by CoolBreeze3646; Feb 8, 2024 at 04:32 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 17,923
Likes: 3,561
From: backwoods
If you have to keep a tender on it, I would wonder if the battery is bad or the charging system.
Charge the battery over night, then disconnect battery. Let it sit few days, if does not fire like it does when right off the charger than probably bad battery.
Lazy ways to gather clues when you are busy.
Put a meter on the battery rev it up to 3-4k rpm, battery should go up 14.4ish DC. If not read AC from the stator. Look it up for your bike, probably around 20 volts ac per 1k rpm. Or rev it up to 3-4krpms and see 60-80 volts ac.
None of these tests will tell you you have a bad connection, they are just simple and easy place to start.
Charge the battery over night, then disconnect battery. Let it sit few days, if does not fire like it does when right off the charger than probably bad battery.
Lazy ways to gather clues when you are busy.
Put a meter on the battery rev it up to 3-4k rpm, battery should go up 14.4ish DC. If not read AC from the stator. Look it up for your bike, probably around 20 volts ac per 1k rpm. Or rev it up to 3-4krpms and see 60-80 volts ac.
None of these tests will tell you you have a bad connection, they are just simple and easy place to start.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 17,923
Likes: 3,561
From: backwoods
Disconnecting the battery will rule that out.
Trending Topics
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,075
Likes: 11,096
From: San Diego, CA
A bunch of good suggestions above....
The easiest & cheapest would be to check your ground connections, on both sides of the battery negative cable.... And also check that the main battery ground cable is not broken under the insulation..
The easiest & cheapest would be to check your ground connections, on both sides of the battery negative cable.... And also check that the main battery ground cable is not broken under the insulation..
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 17,923
Likes: 3,561
From: backwoods
So if you start it right after disconnecting the tender, it fires up normal?
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 39
Likes: 14
From: Florida
Yes, after an all night charge the bike starts right up. It has always started with a sort of sluggish sound but it always turns enough to start the bike. If I then take it for a ride to the store maybe 5 miles away at around 50 mph and turn it off, 5 minutes later when I return the bike starts but it sounds sluggish as if it was struggling to turn. I figure that after riding it for that much the battery should not be weak at all. I'll try all the suggestions posted here which are all good. I'd hate to think I need to replace a starter because of the cost but I'm thinking that may be the problem. It is an old bike after all.
Thanks for your advice!
Thanks for your advice!