Why is my starter on my Harley Davidson not working?

Harley Davidson Sportster Starter Relay Not Working. There are a few common Motorcycle Starter problems. We will go throw a few start problems. You push the start button and you only hearing a click from your bike, With that we will test and fix this problem. Battery, Fuse and Starter Relay, If you have Any question just ask.

Where is the starter on a Harley Davidson 883 Sportster?

Connect your red probe to the solenoid positive wire. This is a fat 12 or 14 gauge wire on the cylindrical portion of the starter. Connect the black probe to a known good ground. 12v should be present in this wire at all times. Figure 3. The starter location on a 883 Sportster.

Why is my Harley Davidson Sportster not charging?

If a new battery fixes your problem, confirm the charging system is working properly by performing the same test with the engine running. A normal reading is near 14 volts. If you find a different value, move to Step 6. Even if your battery’s charge level is normal, it may not have the capacity under load to supply enough amperage.

What does it take to start a Harley Davidson Sportster?

This article applies to the Harley Davidson Sportster. What does it take to start a Sportster? When you turn the ignition switch to the on position, current is sent to the start button. Pressing the button sends power to the starter solenoid, which sends a large amount of current from the battery to the starter to turn the motor.

Why is my Harley Davidson Sportster not starting?

Place your Sportster in second or third gear for the best results. A battery that can’t start your engine may no longer be recharging properly because of its age and current state of charge. The ground cables that connect the battery to your Sportster frame must also be undamaged and free of corrosion.

What should the Run switch read on a Harley Davidson Sportster?

Remove the kill switch from the right handlebar grip. Measure the resistance/continuity of the switch with the switch unpressed using the same method described for testing the run switch. The reading should be 0.1 ohms or less. Press the switch and measure again. The reading should now be “OL” or infinite, meaning no connection is present.

What should the current be on a Harley Davidson starter?

In addition to the starter current draw test, you can measure the voltage at the wire connected to the starter solenoid from the ignition switch. With the ignition in the on/run position and the button pressed, 12 volts should be present at this wire.

What to do if your speedometer is not working on your Harley?

Although a faulty speedometer can be a bummer, diagnosis and repair of a non-operational speedometer is among the easiest problems to fix on your hog. A few basic tools combined with a few minutes of your time, and the occasional (inexpensive) replacement component, is typically all it takes to restore speedometer functionality.

Why is my motor not working on my Sportster?

Check your speedo head for DTC’s. A failing crank position sensor can cause a problem like yours. A bad sensor will sometimes fail when heat is introduced and begin working again once it cools.

Can a Sportster have spark and still not start?

Not sure how you can have, both, spark & fuel and still no start. You absolutely have to be missing one of them. You need to go back and verify that the Sportster not getting spark. Are you getting fuel to your float bowl? If so, is the float height correct? Confirm that your needle valve is not hanging up. Verify that your gas cap is vented.

Check your speedo head for DTC’s. A failing crank position sensor can cause a problem like yours. A bad sensor will sometimes fail when heat is introduced and begin working again once it cools.

Is the speedometer on my 97 Sportster working?

So I just bought a 97 sportster 1200C the other day. The speedometer does not work. All of the instrument lights work just the speedometer and mileage don’t work.

How to check the transmission on a Harley Davidson Sportster?

Hold the clutch lever in and place the transmission in first gear with the bike at a standstill. There should be no engine power transferring to the rear wheel. Figure 1. Sportster clutch lever and cable. The fluid level is easily checked through the derby cover or dipstick on some models.

What causes disengagement on a Harley Davidson Sportster?

Disengagement problems are often caused by a maladjusted or binding clutch cable/linkage; although, sometimes the discs can get sticky or warped. Hold the clutch lever in and place the transmission in first gear with the bike at a standstill. There should be no engine power transferring to the rear wheel. Figure 1. Sportster clutch lever and cable.

What are the problems with a Harley Davidson starter?

Harley Davidson Common Starter Problems Summary and Fixes – YouTube There are a few very common HD Starter problems. It starts with pushing the start button on only hearing a There are a few very common HD Starter problems. It starts with pushing the start button on only hearing a Skip navigation Sign in Search Loading…

Why does my bike not start when I push the starter button?

Pressing the button sends power to the starter solenoid, which sends a large amount of current from the battery to the starter to turn the motor. If the engine doesn’t crank, it could be because of a failure at any of those stages, a weak battery, or a bad starter.

Are there any problems with the HD starter?

There are a few very common HD Starter problems. It starts with pushing the start button on only hearing a “click”. It’s a quick summary of these problems and the fixes for them Category Autos & Vehicles Show moreShow less Loading… AutoplayWhen autoplay is enabled, a suggested video will automatically play next. Up next

What should I do if my starter motor is out?

Like he said, most likely is your battery. However, when the hold in coil is out on the starter solenoid it will do the same thing that you are just describing. In that case you need a new starter motor or you could try to rebuild your solenoid. The starter motor and is very easy to swap out. First, disconnect your battery. Do not skip this step.

Why does my starter click when trying to start?

The starter will either push the jack shaft out and spin (then the starter is good )or the jackshaft will click in and out rapidly and then you’ll know it’s the solenoid hold in coil. But it’s probably just the battery. Was this answer helpful?

Why is my Harley Davidson Sportster not igniting?

One of the most common sources of electrical problems is the battery. Test the battery’s state of charge and current capacity by reading Step 2 of the article Electrical Diagnostic Guide. If no spark is present at the end of the spark plug wire, the air/fuel mixture cannot ignite.

What to do if your car starter won’t turn over?

If the the starter still clicks, clean ALL the battery cables and try again. This includes the Positive at the battery and the starter. The negative (ground) at the battery and the ground point. Also check ground strap from engine to frame.

Where is the starter button on a Harley Davidson?

Move the voltmeter’s red probe to the solenoid’s power input terminal, located on the top of the starter solenoid. Turn the ignition switch on and shift the motorcycle into neutral. Flip the engine stop switch, located on the right handlebar, into the “Run” position, then push the starter button for two seconds.

How does a starter solenoid work on a Harley Davidson?

Connect one end of both wires to a fully-charged 12-volt battery’s negative terminal. Connect one of the free clips to the starter solenoid’s field coil terminal, located on the right side of the terminal. Connect the remaining clip to the starter solenoid housing to serve as a ground connection.

Why is the starter not engaging on my V-twin?

The starter motor is getting the power from the battery and the motor is spinning, but the shaft that extends out from the starter and makes contact with the gear on your clutch is not engaging. There can be a couple causes for this, but I can’t remember them all.

Where is the starter located on a Harley Davidson?

Unscrew the starter mounting bolts using a socket wrench. The bolts are from the right side of the engine on most Harley-Davidson models; however, Sportster models locate the bolts within the primary chaincase on the left side of engine. Pull the starter out from the right side of the engine.

What’s the voltage drop on a Harley Davidson starter?

Connect your meter leads to the battery terminals and set to read DC volts . Check DC volts prior to cranking starter then while cranking starter , the difference is the voltage drop . If you start with say 13v. static and then get 10v. cranking you’d be in the correct voltage drop range .

How do you test a starter solenoid on a Harley Davidson?

Connect one clip to the battery’s positive terminal. Connect the free clip to the starter relay terminal on the left side of the starter solenoid. The solenoid pinion gear, exposed at the inner face of the solenoid, should click and retract into the starter housing. The starter solenoid is defective if the pinion gear does not retract.

Is there a problem with my Sportster 1200 XLH?

Before I go out and buy parts I think I need, maybe somebody can jump in and pinpoint the problem. 1995 Sportster 1200 XLH. Ride it daily to work. Last Friday I shut the motor off with the stop switch and then turned the ignition key off.

What to do if your starter does not work on a Harley Davidson?

If the voltmeter did not provide a 12-volt reading, there is a problem between the starter and the starter button. Turn the ignition switch to the “Off” position and remove the seat from the motorcycle, using either a flat-head screwdriver or by unscrewing the seat bolt by hand.

What to do when your motorbike wont start?

Look up direct start button cover. It can get you out of a jam when the solenoid acts up. Won’t help if the battery is to low to crank the engine though. Was this answer helpful? I dont own a motorbike.

Why does my Sportster not start when I start it?

Chances are it is somewhat normal due to the shared pin design of the engine and a slightly weakened battery under load makes it more noticeable. Or it could be a timing issue in the tune. Most big twins have this same sound. I would do a battery test and if that checks out, ride it as long as it runs fine otherwise.

Is the 1200R Sportster still cranking at 8500 miles?

Yep, my 1200r doing that exactly since i got it. Acquired the bike with 1300 miles on it and now it’s at 8500 miles and on the 2nd battery, still does it. I’ve had this happen before when the battery was getting weak. I replaced the battery and the solenoid contacts had pitted.

What to do if your Harley Davidson won’t start?

Harley Davidson Sportster: Why Won’t My Bike Start? 1 Test your starter. Refer to Step 4 of the article Electrical Diagnostic Guide for information on starter testing. 2 Check for fuel. If your bike cranks but doesn’t start, the first thing to check is the fuel supply. 3 Check for spark.

Why does the keyswitch not turn the starter?

They keyswitch may not be sending the signal to tell the battery to send juice to the starter, the battery may not be able to send enough power to the solenoid to turn the starter, the solenoid may not be ramping up the power given to it, or the starter may not be functioning and able to turn.

How old is the battery on my Sportster?

All the battery cables are tight and the battery stays on a battery tender and is charged up. The battery is the original that came with the bike and is about 15 months old. Has anyone experienced this problem and what was your solution?

Is the 883 Sportster the same as the 1200?

The 883 and the 1200 use the same battery and starter motor but the 1200 has an extra 125 or so pounds of compressions. Every thing – cables – battery – and connections need to be perfect for things to go right.

Why is my Sportster not cranking or starting?

1. Cable to battery connections are oxidized and maybe the cable to starter and ground. Clean them both up and test again. 2. Negative cable is corroded under the rubber seal on the engine side. Peal it back and have a look. One thing to remember is that the starter circuit is marginal at best.

Is the negative cable on the Sportster 1200 corroded?

Negative cable is corroded under the rubber seal on the engine side. Peal it back and have a look. One thing to remember is that the starter circuit is marginal at best. The 883 and the 1200 use the same battery and starter motor but the 1200 has an extra 125 or so pounds of compressions.

How do you retract starter solenoid on Harley Davidson?

Connect the free clip to the starter relay terminal on the left side of the starter solenoid. The solenoid pinion gear, exposed at the inner face of the solenoid, should click and retract into the starter housing. The starter solenoid is defective if the pinion gear does not retract.

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