2002 HD RK FLHRI, Bought the bike two weeks ago and when picking it up the bike would not turn over or would the starter ingage. Kept turning ignition on off and run, stop switch then bike started. Battery was bad. Put new battery in rode for a week no problems, even had it to HD for oil change, inspection. then yesterday problem came back. push starter button and starter dosn't ingage, lights don't dim and hear a seliniod click back by the battery. turned ignition on, off and run, stop switch then bick started. Now it will not turn over but you can hear the fuel injector buzz and lights at switch do not dim. No starter ingagement. Any idea's

SOURCE: My 97 fatboy battery started

Well, I don't really know how to tell you to troubleshoot your starter when you don't have a meter. When you press the starter button, there is a starter relay that is usually mounted on the rear fender extension on the Fat Boy that engages and provides voltage to the starter solenoid. This voltage goes to the solenoid via the single small wire that plugs onto the starter just above the d-sided plate on the end of the starter. This wire goes hot which energizes the coil in the solenoid. The magnetism pulls the plunger into the starter. The plunger has a large round copper "washer" that make contact to two copper terminals inside the solenoid that connects the battery to the starter motor.

To test the starter, make SURE your transmission is in neutral. Take the 5-sided plate off the end of the starter. There are three 3mm bolts that hold the plate on. Behind the plate, you'll find the plunger and long spring. Using a large screwdriver or something, push the plunger into the solenoid as far as you can. The starter should engage and turn the engine. If not, look at the copper contacts inside the solenoid. If they look burned and are not smooth across the face, you may need to replace them. Rebuild kits are available both through Harley and aftermarket suppliers.

Good Luck
Steve

Ssgt. Chip Webber USMC

• 198 Answers
• Posted on Jun 28, 2010

SOURCE: Starter button began to turn over and the stopped.

Hello. Since your experiemcing an entire electrical failurte I would start by looking at your fuses. If they are all fine, then you might want to check to see if there is a short in the starter button, which seems to be the issue, but may not be. If these don't work, come back and we'll continue. I hope this helps you, and please remember to rate this fix when we are finished,

SOURCE: Attempted to start , pushed start button , engine

Ok, make sure your battery is installed and connected correctly. The connections should be clean and tight. Now, look at the end of your starter. You'll see a five sided plate with a tower like thing in the middle on the end of your starter. Just above it is a single wire that plugs onto the starter. Unplug this wire and insert a test light into the wire. Turn your ignition on and press the start button. If the light lights up, your starter is bad. If it doesn, you've got another problem.

If the light does not light up, you'll have to find the starter relay. Harley moves these things around all the time so you never know where to look for one from year to year. I'd start under the seat and then move to the side panels if necessary. The relay is a typical one inch cube made of plastic. When you find it, turn on the igntion and press the start button while holding the relay. It should click. If if doesn't, it's probably bad and even if it does, it's probably bad. I'd replace the part as it's not all that expensive.

If you suspect the starter, go back and remove the three screws that hold the five sided plate onto the starter. Behind the plate you see a plunger with a spring on it. NOW, MAKE SURE THE TRANSMISSION IS OUT OF GEAR. Using a large screwdriver, push the plunger into the starter as far as it will go. The starter should engage and turn the engine. If not, you may have to replace the large copper contacts in the solenoid.

I hope this helps you find and fix your problem

Ride Safe
Steve

SOURCE: After the Bike sits for

The large copper contacts in your starter's solenoid may need replacing. Look at the end of the starter and you'll see a 5-sided plate held on by three small screws. Use a 3mm allen wrench to remove the screws and the plate. Inside you'll find a plunger and a long spring. Remove the plunger and spring. Look inside of the solenoid and you'll see two large copper contacts. If they're badly burned, you might need to replace them. You can get them through a Harley dealer or from aftermarket suppliers. They are not difficult to replace and most of the time it can be done without removing the starter from the engine. Just disconnect the negative battery cable before you do this. The nuts that hold the contacts in are 14mm.

Good Luck
Steve