Hard Start or won't Start!
 

Ok so I have a 09 Streetglide with 25k miles on it. Recently it has started to start hard or not start at all once its warm. It appears that when cold and ignition first turned on it seems to start fine. After riding for a short time when it gets warm it cranks over but does not start, its sounds like s**t when trying to start but does not. The starter engages fine and the battery is fine just does not fire but the starter sound terrible when it disengages. I did go back out and check for codes and it thru P1353 and P1356 which is Front and Rear cylinder no Combustion EFI. All the troubleshooting I have found goes to check plugs, wires and then maybe coils. The check engine light does not come on and the codes clear, I did not try to start it again warm to see if it thru the codes again because its very hard on the starter. I also have to say that once running it runs fine. Do you guys think the plugs or wires could cause this hard starting issue? I have replaced the plugs within the last 5k miles but the wires are still original. I also just check and visually they are fine and corrected. Thanks and let me know what you think.

plugs replaced with OEM type?

run thru the mods, air cleaner, pipes, tuner etc.

( for the smart Guys)

mike

You say the battery is fine but when warm you are saying the motor sounds bad, or is it the starter that sounds bad, and won't start? Does the starter grind when engaging?

The obvious issues with Harleys is corroded connections on the battery or from the battery to the starter. Don't overlook the ground lead either. When the voltage drops it will not power the EFI correctly, even if it has power to turn the starter motor over.

Another issue is that when warm, a worn starter will drag. It also pulls an unusually amount of current from the battery and even though it may turn over it's possibly too slowly to fire up the motor, or the drain again doesn't allow the ignition system to operate correctly.

Check the difference in the battery voltage when cold starting, and then when hot. I'll bet you'll find that when hot the voltage is much lower. That would point to the starter, or corroded connections.

Plugs, plug wires, and coil will indicate as the result why it wouldn't start if the ignition system is not getting all the voltage needed to run properly. It's not the cause of the issue but rather the result of having an issue that impacts those components ... have to look deeper for why they faulted.

Mike,

Plugs were replaced with OEM plugs as far as going thru the mods I have Jackpot slip-ons and a stage one A/C, with a Harley Davidson stage one download as I removed the tuner back in June of 2010. Thanks!

JohnnyC,

I guess I should of clarified that the starter sounds bad when it does not start its just this god awful sound when it turns over but then does not fire. I will go thru the battery and ground connections as well as double check the plugs and wires but would hope to think that the battery is only three years old and always has been tendered and should last longer than that as well as the starter, but I guess you never know. Thanks for the insite and will keep you posted on what I find.

Mike

Sounds more like a starter clutch or a coroded solinoid.

soft 02,

It appears you are correct with the starter clutch. I checked all the obvious things and even decided to take the battery to get it tested even though it showed good on the meter and was talking to the tech at the local HD shop and he said it sounded like a starter clutch but to bring it in to check. I just got back from taking the bike in and he checked it and said yup its the starter clutch as I guess the 09's had issues with the starter cluch and they have since redesigned a new starter clutch. So I have one on order and that appears to be what will resolve my issue. $125.00 for a new one and 1 1/2 hour labor to put it in unless I decide to try it myself. For time sake I may just let them install it. Thanks again for your help and suggestions.

Mike

If you ever have to do it yourself here is a link for a better one and it has a lifetime warranty.
http://www.mesmotorcycle.com/street.htm

:icon_that:


Starter Clutch http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=...starter+clutch

Your compensator!!!!
Mine had the same problem!!! Got rid of the bike!!! 09 and 10's same problem!!! 11's problem fixed!!