04 Electra wont start
04 Electra wont start
I went out to get on the bike to ride into work this morning and the damn thing wont start, everything comes up and it just clicks, the lights dim so it's getting a current draw but it wont crank. Is it possibly the starter? Bike is an 04 Standard if that matters.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
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From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
probably your battery is flat, 2nd check is cables.
click under side cover ( not sure on your models, my evos were under right side cover, my 09 is under left side cover on fuse block) shows starter relay is working, that shows that all the wiring to the switches is good.
clicking/chattering solenoid shows the starter relay is also good, but that there is not enough current to turn the starter ( it could also be damaged solenoid- see below- easy to fix if you have ever worked on a chevy)
2 cautions:
allowing the solenoid to chatter will carbon the contact disk, possibly pitting the surface due to arcing, requiring repair if you allow to this to happen alot.
if the starter "whines" but doesn;t turn, that is the sound of the windings heating up, release the button or they will burn= $$$
If you think the starter relay or handlebar wiring/switches are bad, run a jumper wire from the battery + to the solenoid terminal where the green wire attaches- this will bypass all that stuff and IF the solenoid and starter have good power from the battery, magic will happen
mike
click under side cover ( not sure on your models, my evos were under right side cover, my 09 is under left side cover on fuse block) shows starter relay is working, that shows that all the wiring to the switches is good.
clicking/chattering solenoid shows the starter relay is also good, but that there is not enough current to turn the starter ( it could also be damaged solenoid- see below- easy to fix if you have ever worked on a chevy)
2 cautions:
allowing the solenoid to chatter will carbon the contact disk, possibly pitting the surface due to arcing, requiring repair if you allow to this to happen alot.
if the starter "whines" but doesn;t turn, that is the sound of the windings heating up, release the button or they will burn= $$$
If you think the starter relay or handlebar wiring/switches are bad, run a jumper wire from the battery + to the solenoid terminal where the green wire attaches- this will bypass all that stuff and IF the solenoid and starter have good power from the battery, magic will happen
mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Apr 8, 2014 at 03:19 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Also use a multimeter to check your battery condition. It should read over 14 volts at rest, not drop too much when pressing the starter. If you have any doubts about battery charge, read the two Stickies in the Tech Electrics section. That will identify a weak battery or faulty charging system and the cause.
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Somewhere along the way the nuts on the leads to the starter got forgot or they vibrated off, lost or missing parts aren't covered by the HD extended warranty, go figure.
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 15
Likes: 1
If your bike ran fine before, and you had no problems. I would check for loose connections, at the battery, chasse, starter solenoid, starter. Making sure your battery is in good shape 12.8 vdc and your voltage drop isn't lower than 10.5 volts when cranking it...
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