Starting question

[Nukeranger]

Those solenoids need cleaning sometimes to make good contact. I’ve cleaned mine twice but most of the time it’s the Battery that needs replacing so it can supply good voltage and amps to the starter. Batteries don’t last long in our bikes. Sometimes 2 years and sometimes 7 years on a tender will extend its life. But there’s nothing like a new strong battery to solve many of the starting problems.

 

[dtmmil]

Im about 100% sure its not the battery. I turned the charger up to 10a charge, 14.5v going to the starter wire and nothing still when i connect it to the starter. My horn wire will make it click.

 

[Rottweiler]

Replace the start button. Not a good connection. Question do you have CR's or not? You said you hear a click when the start button is pressed. Could be a bad output from the EHC? I think your bike is a 2000 not sure what kind of EHC they have.

 

[dtmmil]

Looking at the button and wiring today.
no CRs, its a 107 S&S in a 2000 bulldog.
and ya questioning the ehc a little.

 

[Mickmorris]

Looking at the button and wiring today.
no CRs, its a 107 S&S in a 2000 bulldog.
and ya questioning the ehc a little.

You can still get the Thunderheart EHC

 

[dtmmil]

Well i think i figured out why they had the bar button unhooked, maybe, i left it connected last night, had my tender on it to to get the battery charged up. Came out today, no power, battery stone dead, tender dead, starter had engaged itself at some point and aperently turned over long enough to kill the battery and tender. So now battery is toast, even with a charger on it it wont turn it over to start.

 

[Jersey Big Mike]

Something doesnt seem right with the wire coming from the handlebar button. I have it connected now, hold my tester to it and hit the button, it doesnt register even 1v. And it wont light a test light either. Almost like a weak ground at the ehc or the red wire is bad somewhere.

Chase that wire back to the electronics -- on my harley style wire chopper (not BDM) there was a small starter relay used. If that relay is bad that would account for this issue. The solenoid can draw large current (not near as much as the full starter motor but a significant amount.)

 

[Mickmorris]

Chase that wire back to the electronics -- on my harley style wire chopper (not BDM) there was a small starter relay used. If that relay is bad that would account for this issue. The solenoid can draw large current (not near as much as the full starter motor but a significant amount.)

You might have figured it out Mike.

 

[dtmmil]

Well something inside the starter is bad too, with the battery hooked up the positive post on the starter gets warm/hot. So looks like im getting a battery, starter, and still chasing the wire problem.

 

[Nukeranger]

It’s best if you live near a Big Dog Owner who works on his own bike and get a second opinion

 

[dtmmil]

Nothing overly specialized about it, ive just had other vtwins so its a different setup. Pretty sure i inherited a starter issue from the previous owner by the way its setup.

 

[Nukeranger]

Nothing overly specialized about it, ive just had other vtwins so its a different setup. Pretty sure i inherited a starter issue from the previous owner by the way its setup.

Then I’d get a new starter and solenoid and bam it’s a done deal plus it’ll be shiny new unless you put finger prints on it

 

[dtmmil]

Then I’d get a new starter and solenoid and bam it’s a done deal plus it’ll be shiny new unless you put finger prints on it

Ya now trying to figure out the mess i have, looks like im suppose to have a short starter, i have the longer one, it interfered with the speed sensor so someone cut the top of the sensor off and siliconed the wire in, so now trying to figure out which sensor as well.

 

[dtmmil]

Chase that wire back to the electronics -- on my harley style wire chopper (not BDM) there was a small starter relay used. If that relay is bad that would account for this issue. The solenoid can draw large current (not near as much as the full starter motor but a significant amount.)

Found the starter relay, appears to be bad.

 

[Mickmorris]

Found the starter relay, appears to be bad.

Yeah I was thinking that after Jersey Big Mike mentioned that. I have that same relay on my 2000 vintage sport.

 

[Nukeranger]

Test your starter relay on the bench. Clean your starter solenoid contacts. I have to clean mine every 10 years to get that good connection.

 

[dtmmil]

Test your starter relay on the bench. Clean your starter solenoid contacts. I have to clean mine every 10 years to get that good connection.

I tested the relay and i jumped through the ecm. Relay does not work, and if i jump through the ecm i can light a test light, the relay will provide just short of battery voltage at the starter wire but wont light a test light.

 

[Mickmorris]

I tested the relay and i jumped through the ecm. Relay does not work, and if i jump through the ecm i can light a test light, the relay will provide just short of battery voltage at the starter wire but wont light a test light.

Shot out

 

[dtmmil]

New starter on the way, new $8 starter relay works, so i ordered a new headlight, some turn signals, horn, speed sensor, now fixing some more wiring and wait.

 

[Mickmorris]

New starter on the way, new $8 starter relay works, so i ordered a new headlight, some turn signals, horn, speed sensor, now fixing some more wiring and wait.