Harley Davidson Not Starting

QuestionI have a 2010 ultra classic with ABS. It is not starting.

The battery voltage is 12.75 off the battery. When I turn the main switch on, I get a drop to 12.5, and when the kill switch is turned on, I get a drop to 12.38. The self test goes out and hit the start switch with nothing – no volt drop, no starter engage, no nothing. DEAD.

I check the voltage at the kill switch and get 12.3 from the black and white wire that goes to the kill switch and the start button. But, I only get 9.2 volts from the black and red wire from the start switch to the start relay. All the fuses are good and there are 12 volts to the starter and the solenoid. I have tried new system relay and start relay.

Answer

Note from the guys:

Michael, you are definitely approaching this the right way. That black wire with the red tracer should be sending 12v to the starter relay. Be sure that this wire is not damaged or pinched anywhere in its travel. This will be more common when wires have been routed through the bars, or switch housings/switches have been changed. Don’t forget to use your multimeter inside the switch housings too.

You can check the start switch directly. Try jumping 12 volts directly from the battery to where this blk/red wire enters the relay plug. See what the outcome is. You may also want to try this with the blk/red wire removed from the relay plug. If you can start the bike this way; the start switch is probably bad, or a wire may be damaged.

Some other ideas:

  • Problem with security module or key FOB
  • Problem with clutch safety switch, or its wiring (if bike has it)
  • Bad relay (like you said)

Let us know what you find. Sounds like you know what you are doing.

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Hogger Michael Follow Up:

You are not going to believe this – but – it was the battery in the key fob. The bike has to have a signal from the key fob before it will allow the bike to start.

This is all part of what they call: TSM/TSSM/HFSM

  • The TSM is the – turn signal module
  • The TSSM is the – turn signal security module ( Japan & Korean markets only)
  • The HFSM is the – hands free security module. (this is what I have)

I asked the dealer is they could test the ECM and they said yes if it on the bike. I told them that the bike would not start that was why I wanted to bring in the ECM to be tested before I spend $400.00 or more on a new one.

The mechanic on the phone said to look at the TSM/TSSM – that it sounded like the problem area instead of the ECM. Looking in the repair manual on the TSM/TSSM/HFSM it made a reference to another paragraph on maintenance – the first statement said the key fob battery needs to be chg every 2 years.

My key fob battery is three years old – changed them and the bike now starts. The key fob battery is only a 3V system.

I checked the battery voltage on the old battery just to see what it was – 2.5 Volts. And that was not enough to send a signal.

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199 Responses to “Harley Davidson Not Starting”

  1. Steve

    Just picked up new 2022 Roadglide Tuesday been riding it, tpms light came on, screen started flashing and went out and battery light came on, got it home than wouldn’t start, been on a tender over nite and light still red on tender? Brand new bike?? Regulator??

  2. Terrylee1348@gmail.com

    How to set security code my code won’t stay setl

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  4. Jason

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  6. Jae Yang

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  7. Michael

    I can start and ride my 2020 street bob for a few miles (30 or so) then park it and it will drag to start or not start at all

  8. Enrique Mireles Jr.

    I have a 1998 Fat Boy Anniversary Special I have a problem that when I engage the starter button with the ignition switch on the starter makes a high pitch grinding noice, but it does not turn the motory over. I am a gold member with fix my hog. Please help me fix this problem.

  9. Marc Carpenter

    1980 FLH shoveled. Has not been run in over a year running but not well snapping and popping running very rich flames out the pipes what can I do to get it running better?

  10. Leo Bradberry

    1999 FLHTCUI , was riding down the road and it just quit. Changed crank sensor, new coil, still no spark. My question is, the starter seems to be dragging, brand new battery, dovm shows 12.6 volts, flip rocker switch on drop to 12.4 volts, as soon as I hit the start switch it drops to 9 volts or less. After a few rounds it starts clicking. Will the starter keep the plugs from firing?