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bike wont start

Started by carolinayarddog, January 02, 2020, 07:30:08 AM

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carolinayarddog

12 Street Glide, new battery 1 month old. Charged overnight, switched on, normal lights and sequence, hit starter, few clicks, bike goes totally black, no lights no clicks. Took battery to Advance Auto, checked out okay. Trying to determine if it is something I can fix or if it's shop time

TIA

Coyote

If the battery is good and everything loses power when you hit start then you've got a bad cable. Use a DVM. Neg dvm lead on the battery neg post. Pos dvm lead on the starter power post and see what it does when you hit the starter button. If it drops way down, replace your main positive cable. If not, check your battery ground cable. (I'd be checking them both either way)

calif phil

I bet the cables are just loose at the battery. 

carolinayarddog

Phil thanks. Checked cables before removing battery; snug. Coyote looking at the cables i could not immediately see the other ends; is replacement going to require a tear down that is beyond a non techie?

Hossamania

If the government gives you everything you want,
it can take away everything you have.

Coyote

Quote from: carolinayarddog on January 02, 2020, 08:09:23 AM
Phil thanks. Checked cables before removing battery; snug. Coyote looking at the cables i could not immediately see the other ends; is replacement going to require a tear down that is beyond a non techie?

Well it's a matter of perspective I guess but I would rate that work as pretty easy on a touring bike.

The post on the starter with the large battery cable attached is hot all the time so take care not to short it to ground. If you decide to change the cables, make sure to disconnect the battery neg first, then the pos cable. Change cables and install in reverse order.

If you did not have this issue before  swapping batteries, I'd check that connection at the starter (since you say the other end is tight).  Make sure to disconnect the neg battery cable while you check/tighten it.

carolinayarddog

Hoss your profile showed on this thread but no reply text

fleetmechanic

The nut on the ground cable on the post on the frame in front of the battery can get loose too.

Hossamania

Quote from: carolinayarddog on January 02, 2020, 08:32:48 AM
Hoss your profile showed on this thread but no reply text

I had posted a response, but deleted it as Phil beat me to it. I agree with the answers that followed, I lean toward it being a loose connection somewhere.
You could try jumping it too. Even though the battery tested good, sometimes they aren't. It's rare, but not as rare as you'd think.
If the government gives you everything you want,
it can take away everything you have.

Pete_Vit

93 XLH1200 - 96 FXSTS - 2010 Ultra Glide Classic
www.facebook.com/harleypartsch

Pirsch Fire Wagon

You can use the DVOM on the (+) Battery Connection on the STARTER while cranking to determine voltage drop. Anything less than 10vdc  you cave a Cable / Connection Problem - Could be either (+) or (-). Recheck Torque on Battery Lugs. No Voltage Measured, Switch or System relay as well. Just for S&G - Check the Battery Voltage as well to ensure it is, in fact, charged - 12.6 or greater.
Tom

kd

Tightening cables can mean nothing if they aren't clean.  A loose connection will burn the clean contact so it may feel snug but not pass the required current.  If you can see the connections when it clicks you will likely see or smell a puff of smoke or see the arc.
KD

Sycho01

I have seen cables that were tight and clean on both sides of the connection points but were sulfated on the inside. Use an ohm meter on the cables as a last resort.

Hossamania

Is this the first time this battery has been used to start the bike? Your op mentioned it was charged, and then tried to start.
If the government gives you everything you want,
it can take away everything you have.

smoserx1

January 02, 2020, 04:05:36 PM #14 Last Edit: January 02, 2020, 05:40:44 PM by smoserx1
Hook your test instrument up (DVOM, analog meter or whatever) so its leads are touching JUST the terminal posts of the battery but NOT any parts of either cable.  Hit your starter and see how much voltage drop you get.  Now repeat this test but this time you want your test instrument leads touching only an uninsulated part of the cables (like cable the terminals) and NOT any part of the battery terminals.  See what the voltage drop is when you attempt to start.  A large voltage drop in the first test would seem to me to indicate a bad battery.  A large voltage drop in the second test would seem to me bad cables, bad battery/cable connections or bad terminal crimps on the cables.  You can also do the second test at other places, like the positive connection to the starter or the ground to the frame, as mentioned previously.

Panzer

Corrosion is not your friend.
Keep us posted.
Everyone wants to change the world but, no one wants to change the toilet paper.

carolinayarddog

Guys thanks so much for the suggestions; stopped by my indie and found I would have to pull the starter to get to the ground cable; way over my head, so i will be taking it to the shop tomorrow; let you know what he finds

Yarddog

I'm not as young as I used to be, and I was pretty old then

92flhtcu

a one month old battery is not new ......
Need a bigger garage

roadkingdresser

In my experience, the ground wire is held on by the rear bolt holding the starter. Can't see why you would have to take the starter off?
roadkingdresser

a_disalvo

Reading original post, slowly, the bike clicks and than goes black!!! sounds like the main breaker is kicking. Pull the battery out and check for frayed wires. Frank

Coyote

There is no breaker on his bike.

fbn ent

Quote from: carolinayarddog on January 02, 2020, 08:05:21 PM
Guys thanks so much for the suggestions; stopped by my indie and found I would have to pull the starter to get to the ground cable; way over my head, so i will be taking it to the shop tomorrow; let you know what he finds

Yarddog

I'm not as young as I used to be, and I was pretty old then

You shouldn't need to pull the starter to check the ground cable connection. That being said, if the ground cable is loose and he tightens it he really should do this for good will IMHO.
'02 FLTRI - 103" / '84 FLH - 88"<br />Hinton, Alberta

Coyote

I'm not sure but you may be able to access the ground lug by just removing the chrome cover on the starter. If not, removing the starter is only two bolts and the battery cable which needs to be checked anyways.

   [attach=0,msg1328835]

fbn ent

Coyote...When did they move the ground to that location? That grounding has been pretty problematic on Sportsters.  :doh:
'02 FLTRI - 103" / '84 FLH - 88"<br />Hinton, Alberta

Finn

Was the battery load tested or just voltage measured?
-83 GS1000G | -84 GSX1100EF | -97 FLHR | -98 FLSTS | -16 Triumph Tiger Explorer XRT 1200