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Harley will not start
Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2011 12:08 pm
by 2003hdannv
I have a 2003 Harley Davidson Softail Classic that has only 7500 miles on it. I purchased it new and it has had all of the checkups at each mileage interval at a Harley Dealership. I have not had any problems with the bike and would not expect too with this amount of mileage. I have changed changed the battery once and at 500 miles had new slip on mufflers, carb rejetted and better air filter. The other night I rinsed the bike off and dryed it with a chamos and it fired right up. Then I rode it down the road to blow off any excess water. Upon my return I let it idle in my driveway and all lights were on and working fine. I turned it off and returned in 10 minutes to place in in my garage and when I turned the ignition on -NOTHING, no starting and no lights, no turn signals, everything was dead. Since I have had the battery tested and replaced the starter relay switch as told by my local harley dealership. I checked all fuses that I can see and all look good. If it was the starter, would'nt the lights at least come on, turn signals and horn. I am getting nothing when I turn the ignition switch to the right but when I turn it to the left the speedometer lights up and when I push the horn, you can hear a faint sound ,like a dead battery and tis is all that comes on period Please someone out there give me some suggestions as I do not want to have it taken to the dealership and spend $1000 that I do not have right now.
Thanks, Bobby
Re: Harley will not start
Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 3:37 am
by 2003hdannv
I know with all of us riders there has to be someone out there that can help me with my bike. Everyday down is a wasted day of freedom- Rain or Shine
Thanks, Bobby
Re: Harley will not start
Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 3:59 am
by HYPERR
2003hdannv wrote:I am getting nothing when I turn the ignition switch to the right but when I turn it to the left the speedometer lights up and when I push the horn, you can hear a faint sound ,like a dead battery and tis is all that comes on period
Let me make sure I understand you correctly. When you turn the switch to the right, which I assume is the ON position, there is no power whatsoever? And when you turn to the left, which I assume is the ACCESSORY position, you say there is power?
Re: Harley will not start
Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 7:41 am
by agraebner
First things first if you have a multi-meter check battery voltage. Then make sure cables are tight. Next check connections at fuses. Batteries can fail all at once if something inside them disconnects or has weak connection. A loose cable can give same symptoms. Check ground cable on the other end from the battery it may be loose or bad connection.
Re: Harley will not start
Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 9:41 am
by 2003hdannv
Correct on the ignition switch to the right allows starting and nothing happens but when I turn it to the left just the speedometer light comes on and the horn makes a weak sound and nothing else comes on.
Re: Harley will not start
Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 9:49 am
by 2003hdannv
I replaced the battery with a new one and also checked the ground and it is tight. Still nothing
Re: Harley will not start
Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 10:20 am
by agraebner
Its possible that the ignition switch is the problem, you need to check the voltage into it and voltage out of it. If you have good supply but low or nothing out of it then bad switch. I would still think a connection at a fuse or a connector somewhere is more likely unless you did somehow get water inside the switch which caused corrosion in time. Easiest thing here is take a multi-meter and follow the wiring till you find the place where voltage is lost.
Re: Harley will not start
Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 12:27 pm
by 2003hdannv
Thanks, I will try that tommrow and let you know. Thanks for all your help on this and hopefully with your trouble shooting I can get it to start tommrow. I also replaced the starter relay with no help.
bobby
Re: Harley will not start
Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 1:02 pm
by HYPERR
2003hdannv wrote:Correct on the ignition switch to the right allows starting and nothing happens but when I turn it to the left just the speedometer light comes on and the horn makes a weak sound and nothing else comes on.
Sounds like a bad ignition switch.
Re: Harley will not start
Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 4:35 pm
by agraebner
Go get a cheap multi meter should cost under 20$ TEST DON'T GUESS guessing costs too much........