Classic will not start when hot.
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5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 9
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Classic will not start when hot.
All summer I have had the problem of not being able to start my 1998 Electra Glide Classic after a long hot ride. Cool or shorter rides are never a problem. Even when hot, if someone pushes me it will start every time. If I wait 10 to 15 minutes it will always start just fine. What I mean by not starting is that all I get is a firm and clear clicking sound that seems to be coming for the starter area. I can also feel the starter relay clicking as I hit the starter button. I also notice the lights dimming as I push the starter button. The other observation I have noticed is that the dash voltage meter is always reading low or very low. This is true whether the bike starts or does not start. I am not sure the two problems are related. With the spot lights turned off I may get a reading as high as 11 volts but with the spots on it can get as low as 8 volts. These readings are typical whether I have just started the bike or have been riding for hours. In fact it seems that the hotter the bike the lower the readings, maybe? I have checked and rechecked all battery and starter connections. I have replaced the starter relay. Two Harley Dealers said that could not do anything unless the bike was not starting. It always starts after it cools for a short while. Another dealer, who I just picked up the bike from, charged me an hour of diagnostics and told me one of my battery cables was lose. Like I already mentioned, that was checked before. A little research showed that this model bike had a recall in 1999 due to this problem, but the Harley records show that it was done on my bike.
Does anyone have any ideas? Can I use a volt-ohm meter to check the back of the dash volt meter? I want to rule out the possibility that the volt meter is just bad or reading low. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
John
Does anyone have any ideas? Can I use a volt-ohm meter to check the back of the dash volt meter? I want to rule out the possibility that the volt meter is just bad or reading low. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
John
Last edited by jaknb; Sep 14, 2010 at 09:18 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 447
Likes: 1
From: Garrison, NY
I'd have a look at the output of your stator. It is possible that your battery is not getting a sufficient charge while riding, and the bike is drawing it down. If you try to start it immediately after riding, it doesn't have the cranking power to turn the starter. However, as all wet cells seem to do, they recover a little after you let them sit. If your stator has never been replaced, I'd bet you a beer that it's contributing to your issue.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 104
Likes: 22
From: metro-Atlanta
You still on the original starter? I only ask because heat is the number one killer of starters whether they are on bikes or cars. When your bike heats up it causes parts to expand/more resistance and takes more power to turn over your starter. If you've taken it in and the electrical system is within specs then your starter will probably need to be replaced.
Thread Starter
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5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2010
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The bike is on its third starter. The most recent one was changed last year with a more heavy duty after market starter.
How would I check the out put of the stator? What should be the readings? The stator is original.
Thanks.
How would I check the out put of the stator? What should be the readings? The stator is original.
Thanks.
Last edited by jaknb; Sep 14, 2010 at 09:20 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 447
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From: Garrison, NY
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 9
From: Woodinville, WA
you need a new battery most likely. I'm curious though. 3 starters is a bit extreme. Are you running high compression pistons or shaved heads? What cams are you using?
Last edited by davessworks; Sep 14, 2010 at 09:39 PM.
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5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 9
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Two reasons for 3 starters. The bike is a 1998 with 73,000 miles and I have the bad habit of starting the bike in gear, with the clutch pulled in. Now that I know that puts extra drag on the starter I don't do it any more.
Thanks,
John
Thanks,
John
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