Click, click, click-not starting -bad switch ?? 1996 FLHTCI - Harley Forum

Pancho · #1 05-01-2009, 12:22 PM

Click, click, click-not starting -bad switch ?? 1996 FLHTCI

It's been doing this intermittently for a couple of years. 9 out of 10 times fires up immed. w/ no prob. Other times, have to push the start button 2 or 3 times (click, click, click). Now, not starting at all, just clicking. Battery is good, all the lights are bright, tank pressures up, radio blasts away, always keep it plugged into a Batter Tender Jr.

I think rain/humidity increased likelihood of this problem. I might have fixed this problem before on my '92 low rider (not sure), but can't remember what I did.

Your help would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

frisco-rigid · #2 05-01-2009, 02:19 PM

Hey Pancho --- Hey Ceeesco
You remember the Cicso Kid right..???

Ok, anyway.. First off, rain humidity shouldn't affect you at all..
Our sickles should be able to run thru hours of Monsoon storms without a hic-cup.. Mine can and do, they all can..
If there is a loose connect somewhere that has allowed some corrosion/rust, perhaps from moisture, that might be something to consider, especially a ground connect..
How old is the batt.. Often a batt will be totally charged and run accessories but will Not have the "Deep" capacity to Always turn the motor & spark the Ign... Do a Load test on the Batt..
If it wasn't always connected to a tender I would advise an alternator check..

Something to always do with a Push-button,, good Batt or not..
Dis-engage the clutch before pushing the button.. That way the starter is Only turning the motor via the clutch shell.. Otherwise the starter must also spin the clutch hub, main-shaft & some gears in the tranny..
Only a wee more mass but alot to a weak Batt..
We have some good "juice" folk here so stay tuned..

cntrhub · #3 05-01-2009, 07:32 PM

I'd say the relay is weathered with all that black soot from the air when it carbons off a switch connect. That relay is like a set of points opening and closing. Inside that relay is sealed but not vacuum sealed. So it sorta has that soot in that environment.

Could be due to humidity and how much arc is not sending that message but is sitting on soot? like you arc it again it bounces off and slams down on the soot breaking it apart?

Battery is good.
Tender is used so there is no question about how well it is charged.
It might be an old battery and yes, that could click-click-click and say 12v but not push the amp to send that much pressure to start the starter or even trigger the relay to stick closed.

1. How old is that 12v looking battery and will it take a load and come back or read 'replace you are in the red zone and out of green for good the load took and recovered."
2. Relay is where are you hearing those clicks? Can you tell battery starter motor or relay?
3. Starter button carboned?

Wrightturn · #4 05-01-2009, 10:00 PM

Frisco covered it. On any rubber mount an extra ground directly to the starter is good idea.

unclepsycho · #5 05-01-2009, 10:05 PM

Hi there Pancho

On my EVO powered bike... it did that, and it was the Solenoid.
I took off the back cover of the solenoid and found it to be just like the one on an old Chevy... with the copper disc in there. I sanded the disc down smooth put it back together and it hasn't done it again.....

When the copper disc gets rough, it dont make good enough contact and it will click and once turns a little it will then make contact on a greater surface area and the motor will start.

If I am off base here, anyone,,,, jump in

evoKENevo · #6 05-02-2009, 12:35 AM

Yo, Pyscho...done that more than once with solenoids (chevy in particular) works fine LONG time.

evoKENevo · #7 05-02-2009, 12:39 AM

Yo,Frisco
"Oh Ciscooo...Oh Panchooo"...nope,never heard of them

-

!!!

tommyglide · #8 05-02-2009, 12:49 AM

Is Pancho Villa a house?

unclepsycho · #9 05-02-2009, 12:54 AM

Evo
I done that with chevy's and my Evo based BMC motor (revtech)... I just wasnt sure of the exact configuration of the 1996 solennoid in his flhtci

one time I had to do that to a starter along side the road at a rest stop at 2 am with only a pair of pliers and fingernail clippers.... ha! that was fun, but we got home.....we were working outta town and was "sneeking" back home a day early in the work truck, we wanted to make it to a party...

come to think of it, I did that to a diesel starter in a 50 ft crab boat, so we could get out there and pull crab pots..... re-built the starter right there on the dock, then went out to sea as soon as the boat got running......

ok... enuff stories from mee, I just hope Pancho can get his starter fixed and get back to trouble free riding.

evoKENevo · #10 05-02-2009, 01:06 AM

Tommy...his HOUSE would be "Casa-Pancho" me thinks
Then again..the only spanish I"ve gotten 1/2 way straight was "cervesa-por-me-mor"