Starting issues
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,764
Likes: 50
From: Gilbert, AZ
Starting issues
I have a 2011 Ultra Limited with just over 21,000 miles. Recently when I go to start it, it sometimes kind of starts to turn over then stops - like it's stuck. I hit the button again and it usually starts right up.
It did this to me on my way home from work the other day. I rode 30 miles and stopped down the block from my house to check the mail and when I went to fire it up again, it tried to start, then just clicked. Tried again and it almost couldn't turn over. Pushed it into the shade and sat there for a minute or so, tried again and it fired right up. Rode it home, pulled the seat and hooked up my battery charger. The charger said the battery was at 88%. Let it charge at 2 amps to 100%. Buttoned it back up, then put my battery tender on it. Then this morning I went to go fill it with gas and it fired right up. Fired right up at the gas station too. Rode it home, shut it off, tried starting it again and "click". Waited a few seconds and it fired right up.
This has been going on for nearly 2 months. I had the battery out last weekend to install an air horn and I cleaned the battery posts and I know the battery cables are tight.
I'm thinking it's time for a new battery. Three Phoenix summers is hard on batteries. Anyone else have any ideas?
Thanks,
It did this to me on my way home from work the other day. I rode 30 miles and stopped down the block from my house to check the mail and when I went to fire it up again, it tried to start, then just clicked. Tried again and it almost couldn't turn over. Pushed it into the shade and sat there for a minute or so, tried again and it fired right up. Rode it home, pulled the seat and hooked up my battery charger. The charger said the battery was at 88%. Let it charge at 2 amps to 100%. Buttoned it back up, then put my battery tender on it. Then this morning I went to go fill it with gas and it fired right up. Fired right up at the gas station too. Rode it home, shut it off, tried starting it again and "click". Waited a few seconds and it fired right up.
This has been going on for nearly 2 months. I had the battery out last weekend to install an air horn and I cleaned the battery posts and I know the battery cables are tight.
I'm thinking it's time for a new battery. Three Phoenix summers is hard on batteries. Anyone else have any ideas?
Thanks,
Sure sounds like it could be a battery..I would remove the battery and get it load checked..I have had Harley battery's last 5 or 6 years. I would also put a voltmeter on it while running to check the charge system.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 687
Likes: 1
From: Texas
My bike (2012 FLHTK) does this when I start the bike in gear. I usually put it in neutral when I shut it down but if I am on any kind on uneven pavement, I leave it in gear. When I go to start it in gear, the I experience the exact symptom you describe. No issue when I start it in neutral. I am curious to hear if this might be the case for you as well.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,764
Likes: 50
From: Gilbert, AZ
My bike (2012 FLHTK) does this when I start the bike in gear. I usually put it in neutral when I shut it down but if I am on any kind on uneven pavement, I leave it in gear. When I go to start it in gear, the I experience the exact symptom you describe. No issue when I start it in neutral. I am curious to hear if this might be the case for you as well.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
From: Coal Valley, IL
Same thing happened to me last week. Turn out to be a broken spring in starter clutch drive. Pulled starter and replaced. Starts like a new one now. Think there is a good write on pulling starter and rebuilding starter here in forum.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,648
Likes: 37
From: Monroe, Louisiana
My 2010 FLHTK was doing the same thing. It was the battery. Have seen voltage regulators cause same problem. Saw a new trike other day with the voltage regulator bad. It would go dead everytime you energized reverse unless motor was revved up.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,764
Likes: 50
From: Gilbert, AZ
Was going to ride to Bass Pro Shop this morning, bike wouldn't crank over. Took the seat off, pulled the battery and went to Chester's HD and bought a new one. $170 later, she starts first time, every time.
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 253
Likes: 1
From: S E Michigan
Ditto on the battery. I had to replace my battery on my 2010 last year. It seems these newer HD batteries don't last as long it they used to. After two seasons and it craps out! Got a replacement from Batteries Plus and now I keep a tender on it whenever it is parked in the garage.
