Engine turning but not starting?

[Choppergirl]

Hi everyone ,
I am trying to figure out why my engine will turn over once and then does a long drag of nothing! If I hold down the start button long enough it will try again but still won't start. It acts like it doesn't have enough power to kick it over. I just put a new battery in it because I thought the old battery was my problem. I have checked the negative cable at the starter,it is "tight" and also have double checked both the positive and negative on the battery:bang:. I have off work until the 3rd of Jan. and really wanted to ride while I have the time off any suggestions would be welcomed, thanks!

 

[echoniner111]

Just a total guess here but sounds like you need a trickle charger . Mine stays hooked up the majority of the time.

 

[woodbutcher]

yup, basically, when you are not on the bike the charger should be. limited selection of "good enough" batteries around to crank these big inch motors. must have AT LEAST 12.8 volts to crank the motor over and the more cca the better.

also, where you bought the battery, did they put it on a deep cycle charge for at least 8 hours before you got installed it. direct from the factory charged is not good enough.

 

[Five Five]

How many CCA does your new battery have .... I think your 03 is the same as mine "no compression releases" this results in the starter struggling to get through the compression stroke...The owners manual says you can depress the starter button up to 5 seconds.... So keep your starter button depressed a little longer when starting ....My 03 had battery with 465CCA

If your thinking of upgrades, make compression releases one of them:up:

:2thumbs:
"five"

 

[nine lives]

Maybe bad starter?

 

[Five Five]

Maybe bad starter?

yup could be "nine" she should probably pull the solenoid and clean up the contacts:up:

 

[Moespeeds]

If you got a new battery and the connections are good then it's gotta be a starter issue. Clean the contacts like five five said if that doesn't do it a new starter might be in order. Triple check all connections first.

 

[Choppergirl]

Hey guys thanks for all the quick replys. Here is the bad news I just had the starter put on in August so I hope it is not that lol! Also I keep the bike on a trickle charger so it has a good charge, this is why I am at such a loss. By the way my battery has 310 cca......Please don't say the 3 letter word (EHC)??? If it is I am down until spring.

 

[nine lives]

If everything else is working, don't think it's your EHC. Do as Moe says check all connections and look very close at the cables. Make sure cables are tite at the battery and starter.

 

[capewaterman]

Good luck with it. Who did the starter in august? Let me know if you get her fired as I'm close enough to hook up for a put if you would like.

 

[dogone]

I would also ckeck connections at the switch.

 

[PHATASS]

Hi everyone ,
I am trying to figure out why my engine will turn over once and then does a long drag of nothing! If I hold down the start button long enough it will try again but still won't start. It acts like it doesn't have enough power to kick it over. I just put a new battery in it because I thought the old battery was my problem. I have checked the negative cable at the starter,it is "tight" and also have double checked both the positive and negative on the battery:bang:. I have off work until the 3rd of Jan. and really wanted to ride while I have the time off any suggestions would be welcomed, thanks!

Check out this link. I just had the same problem and it was the starter.

http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/help-wanted/31437-bike-slow-start.html

 

[8ball]

with your bike I wouldn't go any less than 350cca

 

[Choppergirl]

Thanks guys, going out this morning after it warms up and tinker with the bike a little more. Going to go through the connections "one more time" can't hurt. :bang:. I hope it isn't my starter it has only been on there about 3 to 4 months

 

[woodbutcher]

good luck

 

[Choppergirl]

Ok so I decided to put two fresh spark plugs in and threw in a new air filter while I was tinkering. I decided to clean the contacts on the starter just to be sure even though it is only about 3 to 4 months old. Before I decided to change the plugs I had tried to start it after cleaning and tightening all batttery connections. To make a long story short I am going to let it charge overnight and try it in the morning. Fingers crossed the old plugs were my problem, I will find out in the morning. :2thumbs:

 

[erldawg]

If it's not turning over or turning very slow I would look at the starter and battery connections. Also verify the compression releases are working.

 

[Nukeranger]

I have to ask because I don't know but does a 2003 chopper even have compression releases (I would guess 2005 and later)? I would also cross my fingers that it is a weak battery and all will be good in the morning. But unless you have a Battery load tester, don't be surprised if just because the battery appears to be charged it still doesn't turn over your engine after the first few rotations.

I think you can install compression releases if this is the issue but usually a good healthy battery will do the trick.

 

[Throttle]

Battery .. once this starts.. a whole series of other problems appear.. I thought my starter was going out after 19000 miles.. but it was the battery in the end.. only the 2nd replacement battery in 5 years.

 

[Nukeranger]

:2thumbs:You're doing something right to get 5 years out of a bike battery.:2thumbs: