93 HD Sportster 1200 will not start!

Hi, Christopher before testing any electrical component in the Starting Circuit it is "IMPERATIVE" that you have a fully charged battery of 12.5 volts or more and be able to pass a proper "LOAD" test if necessary, you may have a preliminary reading of 12.5 volts or more but little or zero amperage, the battery is faulty and must be replaced. AGM type batteries fall into this scenario more so than lead-acid batteries. The following is a list of usual suspects that will cause your bike not to turn over.
1. Ignition Switch is in the "OFF" position.
2. Ignition Switch is faulty.
3. Engine Run Switch in the "OFF" position.
4. Engine Run Switch is "FAULTY" or corroded.
5. Check the battery terminals for damage or corrosion check the battery cables at "BOTH" ends for loose, corroded, or broken connectors, "INSIDE" and outside the cable harness, perform connector wiggle test and check cables with an ohmmeter.
6. Bank angle sensor needs a reset or is faulty.
7. FOB battery low or dead.
8. Faulty ignition switch.
9. Faulty starter button.
10. Faulty kickstand, clutch, neutral safety switch.
11. Security alarm needs a reset.
12. Starter relay, solenoid, starter motor or circuit wiring faulty.
13. Starter armature or field coils have failed.
14. Main fuse or circuit breaker may be blown or faulty.
15. Faulty ignition relay.
16. The electric starter is working but starter clutch has failed.
17. Check for engine trouble codes.
For more information about your issue and valuable "FREE" downloads that you will need for viewing or printing please click on the blue links below and for more specific information or questions at no charge please feel free to contact me at [email protected]. Good luck and have a wonderful day.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sportster-models/548468-why-won-t-my-sportster-start.html
http://www.mediafire.com/file/9ogkh9k1gqc4lfg/2011+Harley+Sportster+Service+Manual.pdf
https://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche.com/ronnies/showmodel.asp?make=hdmc
https://ownersmanuals2.com/harley-davidson/1200-custom-2011-owners-manual-66678
https://www.6ya.com/how-6ya-works to speak to me personally.

Check your battery connections and make sure they are tight where the positive cable attatches to the starter and the negative cable attatches to ground. Sportsters are notorius for this type of problem when the cables are loose.

If you've got circuit breakers tripping, you've still got a short somewhere. Pay particular attention to either of the handlebar switch housings. There are quite a number of wires running to each side and any one can easily be pinched and cause a short. I'd focus on the right side with the "Run-Stop" switch in it.

Good Luck
Steve

I'm assuming you checked all of the basics; battery, ground, etc. Have you tried jumping out the starter relay? It could be that the relay has bad contacts and even though you can hear it click, it's not energizing the starter. If it's good, try tapping the starter motor with a wrench or small hammer while holdin the start button down; if it begins to crank, you have sticky brushes in the starter motor.

Starter could be jammed have you tried to pop start it? Are you getting power to the starter? Kill switch isnt on is it? Never should have left the dealer it was running when you took it there.

Ok, If you are absolutely sure the battery is good, there are several possibilites. If the battery is over a year old, take it to an automotive parts store and ask them if they can load test it. They'll usually do this at no charge.

If the battery is good, the first problem could be in the starter relay. Look at the end of the starter from the right side of the bike. You'll see a plate on the end that is roughly shaped like a pentagon. Just above that plate is a plug with a single wire. Unplug this wire and use either a test light or a digital volt ohm meter to check for voltage when you press the starter button. If you do NOT have voltage and the clicking you are hearing is coming from under the seat, you probably need a starter relay.

If you have 12 volts on that wire, you're problem is in the starter. Disconnect the negative cable from your battery. Now, take the three small screws out of the back of the starter that holds the pentagon shaped plate on. Underneath the plate is a plunger and a spring. Remove these parts and look at the copper contacts on either side of the solenoid and on the plunger. If they are burned badly, you need to replace them. You can get the parts through an aftermarket supplier and they are not very difficult to replace. Usually, it can be done without removing the starter. Simply replace the contacts and a new plunger comes with the parts kit. Reassemble the starter, reconnect the battery cable, and you should be ready to go.

Good Luck
Steve

bad grounds, make sure they are all clean and tight at the battery as well as at the starter and the frame.

Uhh, is the battery good? Take it out and take it to an auto parts store. Ask them to test it for you. Usually, there's no charge for this. Make sure all battery connections are clean and tight. If the battery is good, the next step is the starter relay. When you push the handlebar button, you should hear a faint click behind the oil tank. The starter relay cost about $15 and simply plugs into a connector. On most models it's held onto the backside of the oil tank by a single screw. If you've got at test light, put the probe into the socket of the starter where the single small green wire plugs in. When you press the start button the light should light up. If not, either the relay is bad or the push button on the handlebar control. If you're getting voltage to the starter at the green wire, bad starter.

Hi and welcome to FixYa,

Almost always, the click indicates that the starter relay is working or at least trying to.  Initial checks:

• externally charge the battery and have it load tested (just to eliminate the remote possibility).  Necessary precaution if the bike is equipped with alarm/security devices;
  
• bypass the starter relay by jumping the 2 big terminals on the nuts (not on the threaded portion);
  
• expect a big spark;
  
• the starter motor should spin;
  
• if it does, then the starter relay contacts are pitted, burned or corroded and would require replacement;
  
• if it will not, then a starter motor problem most likely the carbon brushes and/or commutator segments.
  

Postback results of tests.

Good luck and thank you for asking FixYa.

Battery connections have been the leading cause of what you've described. Turn the key, everythings in order, then contact! Instead of potato potato, it's just "click" and lights out. If this sounds familiar, check that battery is tight. Grounds are netorius for coming loose due to sporty vibrations.