Before my group ride yesterday, went to start the rod up, and all I got was a click coming from the under the air bonnet.

I rode the bike Saturday, and had no problems, and not done anything to the bike to cause an issue other than to ride it.

Got off the bike, the headlight was strong, and hitting the starter button, the headlight did not dim. My V-Rod was bought new in Spet 02, as I was beginning to think a new battery already?

Was to meet up with everyone at 10 AM, and here it was 10 to 10 and nothing is happening to get the bike going. Got off, pulled the air bonnet, hit the starter and the click was coming from the main harness connection. Pushed it together as i thought by chance the harness came apart, and no luck. Pissin and moaning about it, I went into the house, got both manuals (bought these when the bike was less than a month old, electric and menchanical manual) and began the trace of what the problem was.

The manual did not discuss the problem or illustrate what the condition was I was experiencing. Checked the batter terminals for corrosion, they were good, starter terminal was okay, and I realized I got ahead of myself, as the starter was not kicking in.

Located the selenoid on the left side of the radiator by the left fan, and found 2 wires leading into it. I found the outboard wire came loose from the selenoid. Plugged it in, and it started with no problem.

It took 15 minutes to discover what the problem was, put the cover on it, and saddled up for a good ride on Sunday.

lesson learned: If you wash your bike, and pass the cleaning mitt over the selenoid area, be sure that both wires running into the selenoid have a good tight conection, as they will come loose rather easily.

Glad you got it rich, the clicking was no doubt the starter realy that is located just in front of the seat under the airbox skin. A couple of reports have been given of starter sol problems now but this is the first of wires coming loose to it.

Max

Max,

I wonder of the selenoid problems are due to the connection working loose, and then causing a higher load to cross the surface, and causing the selenoid to flash out or burn out from a heavier load.

Might be wise to check the connection every now and again to see if the plug at the wires end is defective due to fatigue over time.

Hard to believe that could be the case.

Rich,
Please post a Pic so we know exactly what your talking about!;)

:eek: Rich M.

See my post of 12-03-03 titled Heads up on Starter Problems.
I found the exact same problem and solution. I re-crimped the push on connections; pushed em on hard; and no problems since. Note: the new '04s have a much better; fool-proof connection system at the solenoid......so they must have discovered it themselves; or heard about it from people like us!
Ride safe
redrazor

I thiought I remebered seeing something like the same problem b4 on the forum. Was not sure, so I thought to cover the bases anyway.

Was not able to get a pic up yet, as Some things are going on beyond my control....like weather issues. We are in the middle of 40 to 60 MPH windes, no power and am using a inverter with a laptop to post this.

Even hawaii can have crappy weather. At least its not raining for hte time being.

Will get the pic up soon.

Here is the selenoid with the way the wiring into it is run by MoCO. Notice it is tight in its turn.

The ground or what I believe to be the ground or black wire looked like it did in the image above, but was not in contact with the selenoid. Pulling the wire free illustrates better which one I am reffering to.

I pulled the 2 wire harness around to relieve the tight turn or tension on the wire, and we will see how long that will last before it works free again. See the next message for the image.

Here is the image. Been spending too much time on the computer, and not enough on the V-rod, as I am forgetting what i am supossed to be doing with these posts n' images.