Problem started last week. Sometimes push starter button, nothing happens, wait a few seconds, try again, starts just fine. First time I thought battery low, not the problem. 2009 Ultra Classic. Any ideas.

 

Starter solenoid.

 

or starter relay.

listen carefully for a clicks when the button is pushed and no start.

then report back

these checks only make sense if the battery truly is good.

autozone will load test the battery for free

if bars have been swapped, that can be a problem

mike

 

It does make a slight click, only one. Battery is good. Nothing done to the bars, all still original.

 

location of click is where ?

you are sure battery is good ? otherwise you are chasing your tail.

do you know how to use a test light or a multimeter ?

you should have voltage at the starter green wire when you push the starter button, pull off and test and it should stay on as long as the starter button is held

also make sure the battery cables are clean and tight at both ends




Mike

 

New battery in june. Just off battery tender with green light showing full charge. Sounds like from the starter button. Always starts again after waiting few seconds.

 

the tender is not an accurate indication of battery condition, if the battery has failed...then you could be spending a lot of time looking in the wrong direction.

the same goes for almost any electrical problem on a vehicle.

- the battery probably is good, but you have to be sure. lights go on bright ? even with spots on or high beam ?

check for power at the green wire as described above

mike

 

Someone said "cables". Start there. Disconnect them from the battery and wire brush them and the battery connections. 95% of the time that solves the problem you are having with a good battery and "no start, no nothing but a click" problem. Also check the cable connections on the bike.

 

Sounds like good info provided here. I'll clean the cables and check for voltage at green wire. Lights do go on bright with running lights on.

 

I went out to take the actions suggested and found the positive cable corroded at starter and connector broken. Photos uploaded. My initial thought was corrosion on the starter terminal since I had read somewhere a couple years ago of problems in this area. Now I know. I'll be installing a new positive cable tomorrow. Also, to prevent future corrosion, should I coat the connector with dielectric grease?

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/...psed7266dc.jpg
http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/...psbd76458d.jpg
http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/...ps572bc01e.jpg
http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/...psa29e116f.jpg