Had to happen - won't start!

[rfkutschman]

I knew it'd happen sooner or later . . . was just hoping for much later. '07 K9 with approx 2250 mi. Never had any problems. Started it this AM - normal, no problem. Died after about 30 seconds - figured I'd just let it bog down while cold. Tried to restart. Nothing.

Turn the key, lights come on and speedo goes through it's normal start up. EHC lights (blinking light panel) shows only the number 3 (orange solid) and number 4 (blinking green) are on - numbered from forward and inside (forward most inside light is number 1 and right next to it is number 2.

Hit the start button and only get the click of the compression releases (checked by placing finger on the plastic bubbles as described in another thread). Nothing else. At the same time, the headlamp gets dim. I also now have a blinking red light in the #12 position.

No cranking, no nothing.

Battery tests out at H-D shop at 12.8 volts. Terminals clean. Don't know much else.

Starter? Relay of some sort?

Thanks all. Wanted to ride this weekend. Looks like that may not happen!

rich :down:

 

[Redflames02]

I had that problem awhile back so i put a new battery & it started up right away. No problems since. If you don't ride much those battery's discharge fast. Your lights may still come on, but the battery is not able to turn over the starter. It is not holding a charge. I don't know how long you have had that battery, but if it is over 1 year i would get a new one.

John

 

[rfkutschman]

Thanks. I thought that might be it . . . I even went in to H-D and nearly came out w/ a new battery, but they put it on the tester and it said 12.8 volts! Guys said it was good as new!

I did discover that the #12 led light is "ignition". Don't really know what to make of that.

I know I've read several threads about new batteries - the only one that was the same size (dimensions) at the local H-D shop was only 275 cca. I read somewhere to look for one that's at least 310 cca. The stock says 270 cca.

Anyone have an opinion on this? Thanks in advance.

rich

 

[Redflames02]

I bought mine at HD dealer they come already activated. Just put it on the bike and your ready to go. Check your connectors to make sure they are in good condition. Their batteries will do the job on your bike. They are a litte expensive, but have a 2yr. warranty. Don't worry about a starter at this time that will cost several hundred dollars.

John

 

[Gas Man]

So the starter isn't moving?

A few off the top ideas...

Button or wiring to right hand control. Pull the small wire I believe its green with the spade connector on it. Pull it, hook up a meter to it and see if you're getting voltage there.

Did you check the solenoid to see if the connections are clean

 

[N8KAM]

Battery voltage is irrelevant if you don't have the amps to crank it...
Think simple and replace that battery :2thumbs:

 

[woodbutcher]

try jumping it with a jump box. if it cranks, you got a bad battery.

 

[stlmikie]

Try to push it if it gets started check the volt.

 

[Finn]

Did they just put a meter on the battery or did they load test it?
Big difference.

Finn

 

[rfkutschman]

New battery didn't change a thing. Went out and spent $112 on a new Powermax 300cca battery despite the load test being in the "low normal" range on my old battery. Still no go. Won't even crank - nothing. Just the sound of the compression releases dropping. Looks like I'll have to trailer it into the shop. See it in several weeks probably.

I haven't tried jumping it or anything else to this point. Frustrated as hell being the weekend and all. Was really hoping to get out before Monday!

Sucks . . . bad!

ride safe. rich :down: :down: :down: :down: :down:

 

[rfkutschman]

Thinking of jumping it . . . is it safe to use one of the portable jump battery . . . I have the Jump n Carry 1700 w/ air compressor? 1700 peak amps?? Don't want to "blow anything up". Thanks all.

rich

 

[Raywood]

Thinking of jumping it . . . is it safe to use one of the portable jump battery . . . I have the Jump n Carry 1700 w/ air compressor? 1700 peak amps?? Don't want to "blow anything up". Thanks all.

rich

Why would you want to try jumping it if you just spent $112 on a brand new battery? Do you suspect the battery is not any good?

I would just put your 2amp charger on the battery and start it if you don't have anything else.

 

[rfkutschman]

Okay, made some progress. I took a look at the negative lead to the starter (at least I think it's the starter). It was very corroded. Cleaned it up and put the new battery back on it and it fired up the first time.

Sadly, I only let it run for about a minute as I was in my garage and it was just after midnight. Didn 't want my disturb my wife/kids/neighbors.

Anyway, after I put it back together - side panels, seat, etc. I figured I'd better try it again. This time it begins to fire up but stops and both blinkers start going off along with a single horn blast? What's happening now?

Thanks all.

rich

 

[Big Ron]

I will assume (and you know what that means) that all battery cables are tight at battery, starter and ground, and solenoid? Make sure that PowerMax battery is fully charged.

Don't forget there is a remote possibility the new battery is bad also.

 

[woodbutcher]

FACTORY ACTIVATED DOES NOT MEAN FACTORY CHARGED. BATTERY NEEDS TO BE CHARGED BEFORE IT IS ANY GOOD AND THEN IT STILL MIGHT NOT BE.

 

[BigDogBro1]

Thankyou Woodbutcher for clearing that up. People aren't aware of that important bit of information. YOU NEED TO CHARGE A NEW BATTERY!!! All the factory does is install the electrolyte acid for you.

The heavy 3/8" thick wire going to the starter solenoid is from the battery (12v source). The short fat wire goes from the solenoid into the starter. The small wire is the solenoid coil used to kick in the starter gear and connect the main 12v to turn the starter motor.

Bigdog has had problems with their recent starters having the rubber insulation deteriorate on the short solenoid cable going into the starter housing. If you wash your bike alot the water will get into this cable and wick its way into the starter guts causing corrosion. I have fixed three of these by placing heat shrink tubing over the entire cable as best as possible along with some black silicone. A Bigdog recall for this I think. Anyway the connections to the starter must be clean and tight!

 

[RRRUFF]

As BigDogBro1 said, check all your connections and make sure they are clean and tight. Also a friend of mine had the same thing happen with the signal lights flashing and wouldn't start and we found the connection at the ECH corroided. Cleaned up and so far no problem. Good luck!