HarleyTechTalk

Technical Forums => Shovel Head => Topic started by: fatlowbagger1 on January 25, 2019, 06:38:11 PM

Title: 77 shovel not starting !
Post by: fatlowbagger1 on January 25, 2019, 06:38:11 PM
Hello I have 1977 fxe that's been been stored for a while, trying to start but has no spark at the spark plugs . I have 12 volts to the coil ,  What else can it be ? Thanks
Title: Re: 77 shovel not starting !
Post by: Ohio HD on January 25, 2019, 06:55:38 PM
Could be coil, could be breaker points, could be condenser.
Title: Re: 77 shovel not starting !
Post by: PoorUB on January 25, 2019, 07:24:33 PM
I would run a clean dollar bill through the ignition points with them closed. It might be just a hint of oxidation stopping them from making contact.

That is easy to do, the rest takes some trouble shooting.
Title: Re: 77 shovel not starting !
Post by: Burnout on January 26, 2019, 01:51:29 PM
Could be the run switch on the handlebars.

Check for power at the coil?
Title: Re: 77 shovel not starting !
Post by: fbn ent on January 26, 2019, 02:40:13 PM
Points or electric ignition?
Title: Re: 77 shovel not starting !
Post by: Ohio HD on January 26, 2019, 03:16:29 PM
'77 had breaker points.
Title: Re: 77 shovel not starting !
Post by: fbn ent on January 26, 2019, 03:43:07 PM
Hmmm....I wasn't aware of when they went electronic. My '75 was electronic...
Title: Re: 77 shovel not starting !
Post by: Ohio HD on January 26, 2019, 03:55:58 PM
My '77 FXE I bought in '79 with 3,000 miles had points. Service manual also reflects that.



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Title: Re: 77 shovel not starting !
Post by: david lee on January 26, 2019, 04:02:05 PM
Quote from: fbn ent on January 26, 2019, 03:43:07 PM
Hmmm....I wasn't aware of when they went electronic. My '75 was electronic...
i thought 79 was the last points
Title: Re: 77 shovel not starting !
Post by: fbn ent on January 26, 2019, 06:23:28 PM
Somebody must have gotten tired of the points and upgraded.  Was the same set up as my '80.