Hi I have a 2010 FXDC, last night I drove under a heavy rain and while riding the bike started to crank as if I wanted to start the engine. Today when I turned the ignition and cut engine switch the bike started by itself without me attempting to start it.

It has been doing that all day I tried replacing the starter relay, cleaning the switches, nothing. My only guess is either circuit in the fuse box or stuck starter which will need replace (or any fix you can provide)

Am I missing something? Appreciate any help you can provide

 

Wouldn't your bike still be under warranty?

 

Yes it is, I just wanted to fix it to take it out during the weekend, I really hate to be stuck at home with my bike sitting in the garage

 

I bet you're gonna cook your starter. The start switch or harness is what I'd check first for a short, then check for a stuck solenoid. Water conducts electricity, so if you have access to an air compressor, blow the above parts dry and it'll likely clear up if it's the switch or harness. If it's the solenoid, blow drying is hit or miss because the short may be "mechanical."

 

I have something similar happening to my bike. I was in a wreck last August and I have the bike mostly back together now. I tried starting it for the first time since I wrecked it and the bike begins cranking on its own as soon as the ignition switch is turned on and the run switch is in the "run" position. I am wondering if the solenoid is stuck and shorted. I am not really sure where to start as I don't want to just throw parts at it. I am guessing the starter relay switch is relatively inexpensive and probably isn't a bad place to start.

Thus far I have taken the switch housing off and the front brake caliper to see if wires wire stripped and going to ground in the handlebars. Aside from pulling the harness completely out of the bars, I am out of ideas.

Any help or ideas that prove fruitful?

 

I wouldn't want to throw parts at it either. You need the service and electrical manuals. Using a multimeter, check your start circuit for shorts to ground, resistance and continuity. No one can tell you specifically where your problem is without performing these checks. Your issue is with either the start relay, the solenoid, the start switch or the wire harness. You don't have to pull the harness out of your bars unless you have narrowed the problem and know that's where your issue is.

 

I have a service manual. I don't yet have the electric manual. That will be next. I am inclined to remove the starter and solenoid and test them. I believe the solenoid is the culprit. I have done some reading that suggests the solenoids sometimes go out due to vibration. The wreck was shock enough to knock the fuel pump off of the mounting bracket and spring inside the tank. I hit the bottom of a drainage ditch going about 60mph. We (bike and I) took a severe beating. When I replaced the tank the wiring harnesses beneath the tank looked fine and unscathed. I didn't have wires crossed at the switch housing and switches on the handlebars.

I believe that by removing the starter and testing it that I will also have a better look at wires hidden beneath the oil tank, etc.

Thanks for the help.

 

we can disregard my starter issue. I have discovered that the guy that put the new handlebars on has the run switch and starter switch wires swapped in the pigtail. what a pain in the *****....

 

For the starter to crank it has to be receiving current. I believe the starter engages by the power side (+). Working backward, this means the starter button on the handle bars and the battery cables. I would aslo check the grounds (starter and all battery grounds), just give them a gentle tug to check for loose connections. Electrical problems are tricky. I doubt the battery or fuses have to do with this problem. Try to stay with one system, meaning it is in the starter system. Not likely there is a mechanical problem.

I hope you can get this resolved and get back on the road, good luck!