Well started having issues starting my 09 Ultra around the end of March. Starter would turn over and then a bang would occur intermittently. Took it the dealer and they were unable to duplicate the problem of course.

Went on for about another month progressively getting worse until it happened almost every time and sometimes started with a backfire. Took it the dealer today and the compensator is toast, which also screwed up the starter clutch. Glad ESP is covering it. The stock compensator has also been superseded by another part number, so I'm assuming this was a known issue.

 

I think they are replacing them with a Screaming Eagle version. More reliable.

 

Yeah, it was replaced with the Screamin Eagle.

(Wrong....see post below)

 

PeteF,how many miles are on your 09 Ultra.I had the comp and starter clutch replaced mid summer last year.Approx 75kms(45000miles),ESP covered it,and I put a new battery in it on my own dime.I've heard that a weak battery can cause some of these problems.

 

Anyone notice any extra vibration in the footboards after your comp went bad?

I have a ton of drive line slack and huge vibration around 2200 rpm and idle/start off. Trying to figure out if the comp could be my problem before opening it all up.

Clutch feels good, no vibration there.

lp

 

24000

 

No vibration and no real issues cold starting. However, hot starting when the starter and engine turned over it sounded like someone hitting the inside of the primary with a hammer. It normally took two or three try's to get the thing to start when hot.

 

Mine went at 22K and now the SE comp is going at 48K, so the old SE isn't that much better. I understand they now have a glue in oil splash guard that gets more oil onto the comp.

 

Hopefully you got the new of the newest one cause it keeps on changing and crapping out faster and faster I'm on my 3rd and the latest version one see how long it lasts.But thanks to ESP it's not costing me $$$$.

 

Well, talking with the service manager after the work was done, it seems that SE compensators are on back order. The compensator itself was undamaged, the springs were the issue, so they managed to get hold of a spring kit from another dealer. In addition to a spring kit, starter clutch, rotor, and misc., other parts that the compensator spring failure broke I'm back on the road and much improved. Leaving next week on a road trip, so hoping it will hold out at least through the summer.