Hot Starting Problem
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: Bristow, VA
Hot Starting Problem
Hey All,
Thanks for the help up front.
Have been having an issue for about 6 months. 2011 FLHX, 25K miles, no internal engine upgrades.
Starting cold, or after only a couple minutes on the road (like stopping for gas just after leaving house), I have no starting issues.
But, if I've been riding for an hour or so and make a short stop (turning engine off), I have starting problems. When I push the start button, sounds like it is having a tough time turning over, and usually fails with a "thunk" sound. Second attempt has always been successful.
Part of me is willing to live with it, but the other part of me says this could be the sign of a problem...and get it (whatever "it" is) fixed.
Any ideas? This weekend, I took the battery out and cleaned the leads and wires, but still had issue on the road. Also, I have tried starting immediately after turning ignition on...still happens.
Cheers,
Skippy
Thanks for the help up front.
Have been having an issue for about 6 months. 2011 FLHX, 25K miles, no internal engine upgrades.
Starting cold, or after only a couple minutes on the road (like stopping for gas just after leaving house), I have no starting issues.
But, if I've been riding for an hour or so and make a short stop (turning engine off), I have starting problems. When I push the start button, sounds like it is having a tough time turning over, and usually fails with a "thunk" sound. Second attempt has always been successful.
Part of me is willing to live with it, but the other part of me says this could be the sign of a problem...and get it (whatever "it" is) fixed.
Any ideas? This weekend, I took the battery out and cleaned the leads and wires, but still had issue on the road. Also, I have tried starting immediately after turning ignition on...still happens.
Cheers,
Skippy
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
bonus points for the cable cleaning- did you do the other end?
Also slightly loosen the starter mounting bolts and retighten ( that's the ground connection)
the battery should be load tested at autozone
suggest a voltage check- best down at the battery, if you have a tender, the pigtail works great for that. attach the leads and run the bike. see if the reading look correct, charging system is good, all that.
starters always have a harder time when hot- heat builds resistance in wiring and the starter motor is a looooong strand of wire wrapped into coils.
there is also more compression as the motor parts have expanded to a tight fit.
mike
Also slightly loosen the starter mounting bolts and retighten ( that's the ground connection)
the battery should be load tested at autozone
suggest a voltage check- best down at the battery, if you have a tender, the pigtail works great for that. attach the leads and run the bike. see if the reading look correct, charging system is good, all that.
starters always have a harder time when hot- heat builds resistance in wiring and the starter motor is a looooong strand of wire wrapped into coils.
there is also more compression as the motor parts have expanded to a tight fit.
mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Oct 6, 2013 at 04:41 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 30
From: North Florida
About the starter bolts, are they that easy to get to on the touring bikes? Mine are almost impossible to get to on my softtail.
Last edited by Harleycruiser; Oct 6, 2013 at 04:46 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 726
Likes: 12
From: Eugene, OR
Skippy97,
If the battery load test good then my guess is the starter clutch. My 09 Streetglide had the same issue at 25k miles and I replaced the starter clutch and have not had an issue since. I did also purchase a SE compensator I just have not taken the time to replace it yet. I have not had the issue since. I went with the factory hd parts but there are different brands like All ***** and such. I attached a link to my replacement with some pictures and such, Good Luck!
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...-on-09-sg.html
If the battery load test good then my guess is the starter clutch. My 09 Streetglide had the same issue at 25k miles and I replaced the starter clutch and have not had an issue since. I did also purchase a SE compensator I just have not taken the time to replace it yet. I have not had the issue since. I went with the factory hd parts but there are different brands like All ***** and such. I attached a link to my replacement with some pictures and such, Good Luck!
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...-on-09-sg.html
Hey All,
Thanks for the help up front.
Have been having an issue for about 6 months. 2011 FLHX, 25K miles, no internal engine upgrades.
Starting cold, or after only a couple minutes on the road (like stopping for gas just after leaving house), I have no starting issues.
But, if I've been riding for an hour or so and make a short stop (turning engine off), I have starting problems. When I push the start button, sounds like it is having a tough time turning over, and usually fails with a "thunk" sound. Second attempt has always been successful.
Part of me is willing to live with it, but the other part of me says this could be the sign of a problem...and get it (whatever "it" is) fixed.
Any ideas? This weekend, I took the battery out and cleaned the leads and wires, but still had issue on the road. Also, I have tried starting immediately after turning ignition on...still happens.
Cheers,
Skippy
Thanks for the help up front.
Have been having an issue for about 6 months. 2011 FLHX, 25K miles, no internal engine upgrades.
Starting cold, or after only a couple minutes on the road (like stopping for gas just after leaving house), I have no starting issues.
But, if I've been riding for an hour or so and make a short stop (turning engine off), I have starting problems. When I push the start button, sounds like it is having a tough time turning over, and usually fails with a "thunk" sound. Second attempt has always been successful.
Part of me is willing to live with it, but the other part of me says this could be the sign of a problem...and get it (whatever "it" is) fixed.
Any ideas? This weekend, I took the battery out and cleaned the leads and wires, but still had issue on the road. Also, I have tried starting immediately after turning ignition on...still happens.
Cheers,
Skippy
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