Bad battery or something more
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Bad battery or something more
I have a 2005 road king...battery is just shy of 3 years old. Went to go for ride tonight and bike wouldn't start. All lights come on when ignition is on, but when I hit the start just makes a very fast clicking/ticking sound. Last time I rode the bike was about 3 1/2 weeks ago, have started it a couple of time in between to let it run. Bike is connected to battery tender whenever I'm not riding. So question is, is this something as simple as my battery is old and it's time for a replacement or the fact that all of my lights are functional could this mean it's something more serious?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,351
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From: Formerly Tampa Bay, FL, Currently Western PA
Sounds like the battery to me. Batteries go in different ways, mainly they lose voltage or current. If they lose current, they can still have enough voltage to light everything up, but not enough juice to turn the starter. This sounds like yours. I've seen batteries have over 12 volts, but not enough amps.
Simplest thing to do is pull the battery, trickle charge it overnight, then take it to an auto parts store and have it tested.
Simplest thing to do is pull the battery, trickle charge it overnight, then take it to an auto parts store and have it tested.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
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From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
trickle charger will help maintain a full charge, but will not charge a low battery---if you can get a real battery charger and charge your battery for at least a full day... if it is a 10 amp charger and a 400 CCA battery, that would be 40 hours charging time to full. Don't use a 50 or 60 amp charger- too much.
( most trickle chargers are less than 1/2 an amp- which for a 400 CCA battery would be 800 hours charging time but by then the first hours charge would have dissipated...etc.)
and once charged you could take it to autozone ( or whoever) and have it load tested for free
and also check that your battery cables are nice and tight and the connections clean- many of us just loosen the bolt slightly and move the lug on the terminal and tighten up again.
but your battery is likely toast.
the clicking is the solenoid trying to make a connection- too much of that will mess up the solenoid, so don't do too much of that or you'll be rebuilding it ( which is pretty easy).
IF you battery checks out good, and the problem persists then we looking at the starter system.
IF the clicking is coming from the solenoid ( orange juice can sized cylinder on top of the starter motor) then that tells us the switch, kill switch, relay and wiring are all good.- you would determine this by putting your hand on it.
If the clicking is coming from the side cover then it is possible the relay needs replacing--- $15 at any auto parts store, just take in your old one
mike
( most trickle chargers are less than 1/2 an amp- which for a 400 CCA battery would be 800 hours charging time but by then the first hours charge would have dissipated...etc.)
and once charged you could take it to autozone ( or whoever) and have it load tested for free
and also check that your battery cables are nice and tight and the connections clean- many of us just loosen the bolt slightly and move the lug on the terminal and tighten up again.
but your battery is likely toast.
the clicking is the solenoid trying to make a connection- too much of that will mess up the solenoid, so don't do too much of that or you'll be rebuilding it ( which is pretty easy).
IF you battery checks out good, and the problem persists then we looking at the starter system.
IF the clicking is coming from the solenoid ( orange juice can sized cylinder on top of the starter motor) then that tells us the switch, kill switch, relay and wiring are all good.- you would determine this by putting your hand on it.
If the clicking is coming from the side cover then it is possible the relay needs replacing--- $15 at any auto parts store, just take in your old one
mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Sep 29, 2011 at 10:44 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
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From: Bedford UK
Agreed that it sounds like your battery. Get it tested as cbrenthus suggested.
Modern battery tenders should be capable of keeping on top of a battery, as they are much more than mere trickle chargers. They are more likely to keep a fading battery topped up.
Modern battery tenders should be capable of keeping on top of a battery, as they are much more than mere trickle chargers. They are more likely to keep a fading battery topped up.
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