Unedited: Adding a second relay to fix the dreaded click
#71
#72
Disconnect the battery, remove the end cover on the solenoid. You will see what needs to be replaced. The starter can remain installed on the bike.
#74
There is nothing special about the starters used in modern Harleys since `89. These starters are common automotive units used in a lot of small cars.
#75
#76
Not if you plan to change the ground contact. I know because I tried a couple of years ago. I was able to change the positive contact (the top one) on the softail by grinding down a socket to fit, but there's no room between the starter and the tranny to get the ground terminal off without pulling the starter.
Maybe there's more room on the short primary (dresser) but there's not room on a Softail.
Thanks guys! This looks like the fix I've been looking for for 15 years.
Maybe there's more room on the short primary (dresser) but there's not room on a Softail.
Thanks guys! This looks like the fix I've been looking for for 15 years.
#77
#78
After sleeping on this, I came up with one more concern. You are adding or re-wiring a relay so the solenoid can draw current directly from the battery, bypassing all the voltage robbing connections, switches and terminals. This is fine, as long as the relay works properly.
Relays, however, are electromechanical devices. They contain a small solenoid, a set of contacts (similar to breaker points) and a return spring. Should the relay fail, and the points not separate when the relay solenoid is de-energized (by releasing the starter button), the starter will continue to crank the engine over, and shutting off the ignition will not stop it, since the starter solenoid is being fed directly by the battery, because you bypassed the ignition switch. This will continue until the starter burns up, the battery runs down, or you remember to pull the fuse you put in the line from the battery to the relay (hopefully you remembered this).
Relay failures are relatively rare, but not unknown, so it's something to be aware of.
Relays, however, are electromechanical devices. They contain a small solenoid, a set of contacts (similar to breaker points) and a return spring. Should the relay fail, and the points not separate when the relay solenoid is de-energized (by releasing the starter button), the starter will continue to crank the engine over, and shutting off the ignition will not stop it, since the starter solenoid is being fed directly by the battery, because you bypassed the ignition switch. This will continue until the starter burns up, the battery runs down, or you remember to pull the fuse you put in the line from the battery to the relay (hopefully you remembered this).
Relay failures are relatively rare, but not unknown, so it's something to be aware of.
#79
After sleeping on this, I came up with one more concern. You are adding or re-wiring a relay so the solenoid can draw current directly from the battery, bypassing all the voltage robbing connections, switches and terminals. This is fine, as long as the relay works properly.
Relays, however, are electromechanical devices. They contain a small solenoid, a set of contacts (similar to breaker points) and a return spring. Should the relay fail, and the points not separate when the relay solenoid is de-energized (by releasing the starter button), the starter will continue to crank the engine over, and shutting off the ignition will not stop it, since the starter solenoid is being fed directly by the battery, because you bypassed the ignition switch. This will continue until the starter burns up, the battery runs down, or you remember to pull the fuse you put in the line from the battery to the relay (hopefully you remembered this).
Relay failures are relatively rare, but not unknown, so it's something to be aware of.
Relays, however, are electromechanical devices. They contain a small solenoid, a set of contacts (similar to breaker points) and a return spring. Should the relay fail, and the points not separate when the relay solenoid is de-energized (by releasing the starter button), the starter will continue to crank the engine over, and shutting off the ignition will not stop it, since the starter solenoid is being fed directly by the battery, because you bypassed the ignition switch. This will continue until the starter burns up, the battery runs down, or you remember to pull the fuse you put in the line from the battery to the relay (hopefully you remembered this).
Relay failures are relatively rare, but not unknown, so it's something to be aware of.
#80
After sleeping on this, I came up with one more concern. You are adding or re-wiring a relay so the solenoid can draw current directly from the battery, bypassing all the voltage robbing connections, switches and terminals. This is fine, as long as the relay works properly.
Relays, however, are electromechanical devices. They contain a small solenoid, a set of contacts (similar to breaker points) and a return spring. Should the relay fail, and the points not separate when the relay solenoid is de-energized (by releasing the starter button), the starter will continue to crank the engine over, and shutting off the ignition will not stop it, since the starter solenoid is being fed directly by the battery, because you bypassed the ignition switch. This will continue until the starter burns up, the battery runs down, or you remember to pull the fuse you put in the line from the battery to the relay (hopefully you remembered this).
Relay failures are relatively rare, but not unknown, so it's something to be aware of.
Relays, however, are electromechanical devices. They contain a small solenoid, a set of contacts (similar to breaker points) and a return spring. Should the relay fail, and the points not separate when the relay solenoid is de-energized (by releasing the starter button), the starter will continue to crank the engine over, and shutting off the ignition will not stop it, since the starter solenoid is being fed directly by the battery, because you bypassed the ignition switch. This will continue until the starter burns up, the battery runs down, or you remember to pull the fuse you put in the line from the battery to the relay (hopefully you remembered this).
Relay failures are relatively rare, but not unknown, so it's something to be aware of.
Not saying it couldn't happen, but you'll probably never see it. Also as an emergency plan if you want one, reach down and unplug the small wire from the solenoid.