Starter is Intermittent

6291 Views 16 Replies 10 Participants Last post by AOW, Aug 28, 2011

Dr Dave

Discussion Starter · Apr 15, 2011

My starter is becoming more and more likely to let me down.

When I push the start button nothing happens (sometimes). I think that I can hear a click but I'm not sure because it normally happens when I'm not in a position to diagnose it. There doesn't seem to be any real rhyme nor reason to it either. It does it when its cold, warm, or hot. The weather also doesn't seem to have any particular effect on it. But it is getting worse.

It began about two weeks ago, but would start on the next successive push. Now it has progressed to where it took about 15 seconds of push, push, push... to get it started on my way home today.

I'm leaning toward the starter solenoid contacts need cleaning or replacing but that is wishful thinking too. Any ideas?

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

D_mac05

· #2 · Apr 15, 2011

Dr Dave,
Very odd because my SE is also doing that. It just started about a week ago, and I've never had that problem (got the bike in Oct.). It doesn't seem weather related (hopefully not from washing my bike). I've done some reading and it seems it may be the relay. I've read swapping out the starter relay with the fan relay is a good way to troubleshoot this. I do get the click sound, and after a couple of seconds of messing around with the off switch and such, it finally works. I'm guessing it's the relay.

ElrodontheV-Rod

· #3 · Apr 15, 2011

Put a test light on the big wire at the starter.If the light comes on when you push the button and the starter isn't spinning over,it's the starter.if there is no voltage when you hear the clicking,it's probably the solenoid.
To isolate the starter switch from the solenoid,install the test lamp at the small wire on the solenoid.if the lamp is lit and the starter won't engage,it needs a solenoid.

ElrodontheV-Rod

· #4 · Apr 15, 2011

D_mac05 said:
Dr Dave,
Very odd because my SE is also doing that. It just started about a week ago, and I've never had that problem (got the bike in Oct.). It doesn't seem weather related (hopefully not from washing my bike). I've done some reading and it seems it may be the relay. I've read swapping out the starter relay with the fan relay is a good way to troubleshoot this. I do get the click sound, and after a couple of seconds of messing around with the off switch and such, it finally works. I'm guessing it's the relay.

usually on the older bikes,if there is a clicking sound,the relay is ok.

RustyG

· #5 · Apr 16, 2011

switch the start and fan relays and see what happens.

T-Squared

· #6 · Apr 16, 2011

Loose or bad ground connections can also cause these "drive you nuts" kind of inconsistant electrical issues.

Dr Dave

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 16, 2011

We have a winner

RustyG said:
switch the start and fan relays and see what happens.

The relay contacts were dirty. I pried open the housing, cleaned them, and re-assembled it. Although it works fine every time, I am still going to replace it.

Thanks to everyone for your help.

RustyG

· #8 · Apr 16, 2011

Dr Dave said:
The relay contacts were dirty. I pried open the housing, cleaned them, and re-assembled it. Although it works fine every time, I am still going to replace it.

Thanks to everyone for your help.

You're supposed to be able to buy those relays at any auto parts store a lot cheaper than H-D. They are only a couple of bucks.

aamwebb

· #9 · Apr 24, 2011

good call on the relay. although i havnt had this problem on my vrod, i did have it happen on my nightster beginning last fall. this spring it had become progressively worse. it wasnt until my bike shut down on the interstate did i finally start digging into it. the nightster has the same starter relay and system relay that the vrod has and in my case the system relay had failed while i was cruising at 70mph. (not cool) until this point i just assumed my starter solonoid was getting ready to fail entirely and my plan was that if i ever couldnt get it started with the switch i would jump the terminals to get me home then id finally buy a solonoid. well i found that this wasnt the problem. i was able to get the bike to have the same symptoms in my garage. turn the ign on, switch to run and i didnt hear the fuel pump take off....press the start switch and bike doesnt crank. hmmm sounds like a bad ground right? tightened all connections to no avail then finally took a multimeter to the back side of the relays. even though they would "click" i checked pin 87 on both relays and found no voltage. but i did have 13.xx at 85 and 30 on both and 86 was properly grounded. i called dealer and laughed at the price of the relay and went to one of our local vendors and bought 2 surge suppressed relays for 7 bucks. installed both and havnt had a problem since. i know that the nightster isnt exactly the same but the wiring is very similar in comparison and also uses the same relays minus the fan relay. hope this helps someone who experiences the same problem!

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Lostone

· #10 · Aug 17, 2011

Have the same problem suddenly. I hear a click but nothing from the starter. I hit start button a few time then suddenly it starts. Does anyone know the part number of the relay? I dont have access to my service guide while at work. I like to pickup a relay on my way home today.

Thanks in advace for your help.

Dr Dave

Discussion Starter · #11 · Aug 17, 2011

Lostone said:
Have the same problem suddenly. I hear a click but nothing from the starter. I hit start button a few time then suddenly it starts. Does anyone know the part number of the relay? I dont have access to my service guide while at work. I like to pickup a relay on my way home today.

Thanks in advace for your help.

31522-00C $5.50 at dealership.

AOW

· #12 · Aug 17, 2011

dielectric grease is your friend

CrashSS

· #13 · Aug 27, 2011

Check your ground cable on the battery, my bike acted up last week and that was the problem.

AOW

· #14 · Aug 27, 2011

Dr Dave said:
The relay contacts were dirty. I pried open the housing, cleaned them, and re-assembled it. Although it works fine every time, I am still going to replace it.

Thanks to everyone for your help.

CrashSS said:
Check your ground cable on the battery, my bike acted up last week and that was the problem.

the key is to read the entire thread...

CrashSS

· #15 · Aug 27, 2011

Didn't really care to read the entire thread, just informing of my experience with a similar problem. If it doesn't help, ok, but no need to be a smart a$$.

TaxmanHog

· #16 · Aug 28, 2011

Though it often is related to poor connections with the battery cables, the next common issue has been the low power relay discussed in this thread found in the fuse block, but I'd like to point out that the High Power Solenoids do go bad at times.

My old 2004 VRSCA started miss behaving after I sold it to my buddy, we heard the same clicking of the mini relay, but the solenoid was very intermittent, all other issues were eliminated. After replacing the Solenoid it has started reliably ever since.

AOW

· #17 · Aug 28, 2011

CrashSS said:
but no need to be a smart a$$.

7 posts? you couldn't read 7 posts?
Being a smart ass is a service I provide free of charge, so no worries mate... I'll keep it going.

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