My 1983 FLHT has an intermittent starting problem, she will lay down on me and not start till she cools off. I took her to a mech friend of mine and he replaced the voltage regulator because he said it was smoking. I rode 14 miles and she coughed, backfired and said “no mas” I pushed her home and put her to bed, the next day I hit the start button and she came alive, she is all original except for the tires … What cha think? Ben
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Ben, 1983, I believe still has main breaker on the side of the oil tank , under the cover on the right side. Remove breaker from clip, install new breaker and leave loose away from clip and oil tank. Ride with side cover off for added cooling , if this solves all the problems relocate to the leading edge of the rear fender under the seat. Let me know if that is not the correct breaker location. Wrench Safe, FMH
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my ’95 Bad Boy was doing this same thing, but it hasn’t cut off while riding in a long time now…instead, sometimes when I try to start and push start button, it fires right up…then sometimes I’ll push start button and nothing…not even a click…I can go back an hour or so later and it’ll fire right up [sometimes even just a few minutes later]…my battery checks 12.7, then drops to 12.4 while cranking…so I don’t feel it’s the battery, especially how fast motor turns over when it does crank/start…any ideas on what to check/fix please?…thanks
Hi, Ronald. You need to verify that you have correct voltage to your run/off switch. Make sure your wiring harness and all plugged connections are secure. If you have changed handlebars, make sure you do not have any pinched wires that would leave you with a dead short. Confirm that you have correct voltage to your starter relay and that the relay is correctly grounded. Check your battery cables.
Batteries can go downhill fast. But its not the voltage , its the amperage. The amps provide the ‘punch’ or ‘grunt’ in the electricity. It takes a murderous amount of amps to get all the metal moving and to provide sparks too. Usually around 5 years seems to be their limit. Do maybe swap your battery with a mates from a similar bike, and if it works, just jeep riding til he gets tired of waiting and goes home leaving you with the battery ! ;- )
Bought my ’84 FLHTC new and had the same problem during triple digit temps while standing in traffic. Circuit breaker replacement did the trick. I’ll try taking the side cover off before it happens again. Thanks for the suggestion!
mounting new exhaust to back old pipes had mounts new pipes don’t how can I mount the pipes remember 1340 was rubber mount the turn out pipes must be able to move ..please help
We would be happy to assist you; we just need some more information. What is the make/model/year of your motorcycle?
I have a 2007 Ultra Classic, After I start and ride for awhile, maybe stop and go in for lunch, when I get back to the bike it doesn’t want to start. Starter tries to kick over but sounds like a dead battery. I know that this is not the problem. After awhile and a lot of cussing, it finally starts, but really doesn’t sound like it wants to. Any ideas? Is there some sort of test for the starter or is it best to take it out and have it checked by someone? thanks
Not sure how you are concluding that your battery is good?
The only way to know for sure is to load test the battery.
You also need to be using a quality battery. Harley, Yuasa, Drag Specialties.
Remember to check your battery cables.
If there is corrosion, clean with a wire brush or sand paper.
Test your charging system.
http://www.fixmyhog.com/video/charging-system-diagnosis-002187/
There is a series of tests for your starter.
We just filmed the steps but it is currently in editing. You can find the starter test in any Big Twin manual 1989 to present.
http://www.fixmyhog.com/video/tip-on-testing-the-starter-002188/
http://www.fixmyhog.com/video/starter-sprag-clutch-replacement-002184/ (ZD: 3312)
I had the same thing on my FLHS 1989.
It was the pin connectors coming from the right handle bars.
Which is found behind the head lamp and under the dash.
Good luck and safe riding….
Engine runs rough on initial start and threatens to almost stall when RPM’s are fluctuating. Within a minute or two the engine begins the run with steady RPMs. I brought it to my local Harley dealer a while ago and after a $200+ bill, they hadn’t solved the problem.
Sometimes when I go to start the engine and push the Starter Button, nothing happens. I’m afraid that someday it won’t catch at all and I’ll be stuck.
G’day, I have a 2012 Fatboy Lo (103), my problem is that at any time I’m riding it just cuts out. It used to be unable to start after stopping for fuel or food, but now it has been cutting out while riding. There’s no particular time or temperature, sometimes it won’t do it. I have asked a number of Harley dealers, but they all say the same thing, it has to do it when I’m there at the shop. No one I have spoken to or written to can help. Do you have any ideas that could help?
Verify that your BCM is correctly positioned in its location in front of the rear splash gaurd.
https://www.fixmyhog.com/videos/electrical/
https://www.fixmyhog.com/post/videos-harley/
-Mark
could be the ignition brain black box getting hot and shorting or grounding out (expanding short)
Had similar problem with 2003 FLHRSEI2 Ride for a distance shut it off for fuel or whatever. Go to restart no go. Next day or at least hrs later start right up. Changed starter no more problem
I just bought a 2007 roadglide from VTwin partners in texas I am in Ohio .I rode 60 miles with a group of 8 .Just about a mile from my house it started missing real bad.What would cause that .I pull spark plugs ,Cleaned them ,checked air breather its ok. It is fuel injected . where do I look now ?
Hi Timothy. “Missing” is kind of vague. Can be a lot of different things.
Need to start out by determining if your issue is electrical or fuel related.
Test your charging system.
Perform a fuel pressure test.
https://www.fixmyhog.com/video/charging-system-diagnosis-002187/
https://www.fixmyhog.com/video/using-a-harley-fuel-pressure-tester-008741/
Thanks
Mark-FMH
I have an 83 FXDG Willie G Special. It has been running fine until yesterday. I hit the ignition switch and got the clickclickclick, like it was the cellinoid. I rolled it off & she fired up. When I tried to ride back to my house it popped & choked like something was wrong with the carburetor. Any ideas?
Bill,
The starting issue might be a weak battery, a weak ground, poor cable connections, failing starter relay, weak starter relay ground, or a weak starter solnoid.
As far as the running condition; if you believe it is definitely a fuel related issue, you will need to inspect intake seals & carburetor. Check the plugs.
Would also be a good idea to check your charging system.
CHARGING SYSTEM
https://www.fixmyhog.com/video/charging-system-diagnosis-002187/
05 flstni, I hit the starter button and lose all power. let it sit and power is back until I hit the starter button
Gary,
Check your battery cables. Verify that they are clean and secure.
Make sure that you are using a quality, fully charged, known good battery.
https://www.fixmyhog.com/video/battery-cleaning-001726/
-Mark
Fix My Hog