Magister
Member
All:
I've found some very helpful information on this forum in the past, so I thought I might reach out to all of you to see if anyone has any suggestions I might try. Thank you in advance for any help you might be able to give.
I know this is long, and I apologize. I'd just like to make sure you have all the information upfront.
The Problem:
My 1989 FLTC (Tour Glide) is experiencing intermittent starting problems. Occasionally (more often than not right now) the bike will not start when I press the start button. All the power drains from the system, the starter clicks, but the bike does not turn over. Sometimes the bike will start from a jump, but not all of the time. All of the electrical works when the switch is in the "Ignition" and "Lights" positions: radio, turn signals, head lights, brake lights, etc.
What I've Tried So Far:
Thanks to several very helpful write-ups on this site (and elsewhere) I've worked my way through some troubleshooting.
1. I've replaced the starter relay with a brand new Harley part.
2. I've tested the battery (~12.75v reading), and even replaced it with a brand new one (reads about the same) "just in case".
3. Bike DOES start when I connect from the positive battery terminal to the starter bypassing the wiring.
4. I read a voltage increase when monitoring the battery and roll a little on the throttle. That signals to me that the recharging system is functioning, I believe.
5. I've tightened down, and cleaned the battery cables and connections.
6. When I attempted to "short" from the orange wire that provides input to the starter relay (unplugged from the relay) to the starter directly it DOES NOT start, acting exactly like when I press the start button. A click at the starter, but no turn over. There IS an ~12v reading coming from the orange wire however.
7. With all the wires hooked-up through the starter relay like normal, I unplug the wire from the starter and test the voltage. It reads ~12v as well when the start button is pressed.
8. If I leave the wire that plugs in to the starter plugged in (green wire), but disconnect it from the starter relay, I CAN get the bike to turn over when I short from the battery positive to the end that would normally be plugged in to the relay.
Where I'm Leaning
Because I was able to duplicate the exact same outcome when I shorted from the orange wire (voltage input to the starter relay, plugs on to pin 30 I believe) directly to the starter, I am starting to think there is something wrong with that wire (which runs from the ignition switch to the starter relay, I think) - or possibly the ignition switch itself.
I'm hesitant to start replacing wires (let alone completely disassembling the console) without being a little more certain.
Questions
What do you all think? Is there a fuse on the orange wire that might be tripping somewhere I can check? Is there something else I should try?
Thanks again for any help - it's appreciated.
I've found some very helpful information on this forum in the past, so I thought I might reach out to all of you to see if anyone has any suggestions I might try. Thank you in advance for any help you might be able to give.
I know this is long, and I apologize. I'd just like to make sure you have all the information upfront.
The Problem:
My 1989 FLTC (Tour Glide) is experiencing intermittent starting problems. Occasionally (more often than not right now) the bike will not start when I press the start button. All the power drains from the system, the starter clicks, but the bike does not turn over. Sometimes the bike will start from a jump, but not all of the time. All of the electrical works when the switch is in the "Ignition" and "Lights" positions: radio, turn signals, head lights, brake lights, etc.
What I've Tried So Far:
Thanks to several very helpful write-ups on this site (and elsewhere) I've worked my way through some troubleshooting.
1. I've replaced the starter relay with a brand new Harley part.
2. I've tested the battery (~12.75v reading), and even replaced it with a brand new one (reads about the same) "just in case".
3. Bike DOES start when I connect from the positive battery terminal to the starter bypassing the wiring.
4. I read a voltage increase when monitoring the battery and roll a little on the throttle. That signals to me that the recharging system is functioning, I believe.
5. I've tightened down, and cleaned the battery cables and connections.
6. When I attempted to "short" from the orange wire that provides input to the starter relay (unplugged from the relay) to the starter directly it DOES NOT start, acting exactly like when I press the start button. A click at the starter, but no turn over. There IS an ~12v reading coming from the orange wire however.
7. With all the wires hooked-up through the starter relay like normal, I unplug the wire from the starter and test the voltage. It reads ~12v as well when the start button is pressed.
8. If I leave the wire that plugs in to the starter plugged in (green wire), but disconnect it from the starter relay, I CAN get the bike to turn over when I short from the battery positive to the end that would normally be plugged in to the relay.
Where I'm Leaning
Because I was able to duplicate the exact same outcome when I shorted from the orange wire (voltage input to the starter relay, plugs on to pin 30 I believe) directly to the starter, I am starting to think there is something wrong with that wire (which runs from the ignition switch to the starter relay, I think) - or possibly the ignition switch itself.
I'm hesitant to start replacing wires (let alone completely disassembling the console) without being a little more certain.
Questions
What do you all think? Is there a fuse on the orange wire that might be tripping somewhere I can check? Is there something else I should try?
Thanks again for any help - it's appreciated.