Harley Starter Wiring

By Dennis Santopietro & filed under Harley Tips.

Question Question on Harley starter wiring for you. I have a 1990 FLHS, there are 3 wires 1 wire from the battery, 1 that goes to the switch (50) and 1 other wire. I cannot remember how this connects except for the switch wire. Does the battery and the smaller wires go the terminal without the boot? Also once connected it turns over but won’t start. It has been a year since it was started. Thanks Keith


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Answer Keith, the smaller black wire goes, together, with the heavy black cable to the long starter post/lug. The smaller black wire is powering your main breaker. The tan wire is the trigger from your starter relay; it plugs onto the male spade connector at the bottom of your starter.

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Discussion
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14 Responses to “Harley Starter Wiring”
  2. jose
    jose

    1991 flhs can the starter solenoid be rebuilt while starter is on the bike?i cooked the battery ,melted the ground post..have replaced batt,cables,circut brkr. and now every once in a while when starting bike will lose all elec power.breaker will pop.10 seconds later every thing works fine.wondering what else to check

    Reply
    • Customer Service
      Customer Service

      Hi Don. I believe that your starter relay is behind one of your side covers.
      You can find the smaller wire that is plugged into your starter and trace it to your starter relay.
      Or unplug that same wire from the starter, press your start switch and listen for the relay to click. The audible click will help you to find the relay.
      https://www.fixmyhog.com/videos/electrical/
      Thanks
      Mark-FMH

      Reply
  4. Eddie
    Eddie

    The wires that go to the starter on my 96 fat boy the bigger one goes to the starter where does the smalller one go?

    Reply
  5. Lou
    Lou

    99 fxdx starter….. The ground bolts to the starter bolt and the 2 other ones goes to the + on top…. Right?

    Reply
  6. Ed
    Ed

    I have a 1981 FLT. I want to move put a smaller battery under the seat, and get rid of the flat side gas tank. Is there a battery box year that I can use under the seat, and is there a specific year tank that will fit my frame?

    Reply
    • Customer Service
      Customer Service

      Hello Al!

      That’s a great question!

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  8. HOWARD
    HOWARD

    my 94 hugger has a black wire with red tape on the ends that I assume goes to the positive battery terminal. There is a bolt covered with a rubber boot on top of the solenoid and I don’t know what goes there. Any help would be appreciated. I bought the bike disassembled.

    Reply