Hard Start or won't Start!
Last edited by Scubamike; Oct 13, 2011 at 12:16 AM.
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.
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!
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.
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
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
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