Bike wants to start when the bike is off.
#1
07-01-2024, 10:45 AM
Bike wants to start when the bike is off.
Okay, this one is a little hard to understand. Every one thinks it's a relay. But the problem with this theory is the bike is in the off position so the wire to the relay wouldn't be getting any power. Let me start for the beginning. I have a 2014 Ultra Limited. Had a low battery after winter, tried to start it, turned over, then got the usual click click click. When I turned off the bike, (the main key ****, not the engine turn off) the bike continued to click for a while. (weird) I had the battery charged and went to put it in, (bike completely off) I went to attach the ground and the bike immediately started to turn over. Every one says a stuck relay, but I think the solenoid doesn't have a relay on the newer bikes, I believe the solenoid is controlled by the ECM. Even still, if it was a stuck relay it wouldn't be getting power if the key was turned off, even if the relay was welded together. Anyway if I disconnect the Solenoid the bikes functions work correctly (obviously I can't start the bike the solenoid is disconnected) If connect the solenoid after I attach the battery, the bike will immediately start to turn over even if the bike is off completely. I am thinking it might be the ECM. Try to confirm this or see if anyone else has had this issue.
#3
07-01-2024, 11:10 AM
Seasoned HDF Member
The following users liked this post:
Fireball Jack (07-02-2024)
#4
07-01-2024, 11:24 AM
Hard to follow as written..
Perhaps you are using a phone instead of computer.
You have:
2014 Ultra Limited.
Bike is of unknown miles.
It is unknown if there are any changes from factory stock.
History of ownership is unknown.
You had a low battery after winter, tried to start it, turned over, then got the usual click click click.
Then you turned off the bike, (the main key ****, not the engine turn off) the bike continued to click for a while. Was the click from starter or relay???
*Reads like the starter solenoid/plunger got stuck.
The new battery caused starter to engage and get stuck due to bad solenoid.
*From a distance it reads like issue is at starter
A simple rebuild kit should get it going correctly.
Review Harley starter solenoid repair kit..Under $40 USA dollars and your labor.
Remember to disconnect the battery.
*If diagnosis is correct then damage should be easy to see when you take off the back cover to starter solenoid at the starter ( held by 3 bolts) and remove the plunger.
Not unusual if bike has a lot of miles or if someone was always repeatedly trying to get another start from a dead or sick battery.
You can go on you tube and see a few video to understand how it basically welds together.
The starter gets power directly from battery.
The starter has a trigger but in your case the trigger is not really the problem since the plunger is stuck/welded and completing the circuit.
I would also change the relay AFTER repair kit is installed.
There is the possibility that someone changed handlebars, grips or hand controls and damaged the starter switch or wires to starter switch.
That starter switch damage caused then initiated the damage to plunger but either way the starter plunger requires review.
Perhaps you are using a phone instead of computer.
You have:
2014 Ultra Limited.
Bike is of unknown miles.
It is unknown if there are any changes from factory stock.
History of ownership is unknown.
You had a low battery after winter, tried to start it, turned over, then got the usual click click click.
Then you turned off the bike, (the main key ****, not the engine turn off) the bike continued to click for a while. Was the click from starter or relay???
*Reads like the starter solenoid/plunger got stuck.
The new battery caused starter to engage and get stuck due to bad solenoid.
*From a distance it reads like issue is at starter
A simple rebuild kit should get it going correctly.
Review Harley starter solenoid repair kit..Under $40 USA dollars and your labor.
Remember to disconnect the battery.
*If diagnosis is correct then damage should be easy to see when you take off the back cover to starter solenoid at the starter ( held by 3 bolts) and remove the plunger.
Not unusual if bike has a lot of miles or if someone was always repeatedly trying to get another start from a dead or sick battery.
You can go on you tube and see a few video to understand how it basically welds together.
The starter gets power directly from battery.
The starter has a trigger but in your case the trigger is not really the problem since the plunger is stuck/welded and completing the circuit.
I would also change the relay AFTER repair kit is installed.
There is the possibility that someone changed handlebars, grips or hand controls and damaged the starter switch or wires to starter switch.
That starter switch damage caused then initiated the damage to plunger but either way the starter plunger requires review.
#5
07-01-2024, 11:27 AM
Seasoned HDF Member
Sounds like a shorted transistor in the BCM. Check the system fuse first..
I'd disconnect the solenoid wire from the BCM.. I assume that is what you are doing, turn the ignition on and see if everything functions OK except the starter. Turn signals, whatever.. turn the ignition off and try to plug in the solenoid wire.. If in this case the motor wants to start, ether you have something shorting the solenoid wire high or the BCM is bad.. If it don't turn over until you turn the ignition on then I'd disconnect the right hand switch.. This will throw codes but if the bike don't start, you have a stuck starter button..
You can check codes at each step. That might help. It wouldn't surprise me if you get an error referencing solenoid wire shorted high..
It sounds like which the low battery, somehow the processor in the BCM got hung up and left the solenoid wire connected. It may have overheated the transistor in the BCM and shorted it out..
I'd disconnect the solenoid wire from the BCM.. I assume that is what you are doing, turn the ignition on and see if everything functions OK except the starter. Turn signals, whatever.. turn the ignition off and try to plug in the solenoid wire.. If in this case the motor wants to start, ether you have something shorting the solenoid wire high or the BCM is bad.. If it don't turn over until you turn the ignition on then I'd disconnect the right hand switch.. This will throw codes but if the bike don't start, you have a stuck starter button..
You can check codes at each step. That might help. It wouldn't surprise me if you get an error referencing solenoid wire shorted high..
It sounds like which the low battery, somehow the processor in the BCM got hung up and left the solenoid wire connected. It may have overheated the transistor in the BCM and shorted it out..
#6
07-01-2024, 11:34 AM
Seasoned HDF Member
#7
07-01-2024, 11:54 AM
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#8
07-01-2024, 11:55 AM
Seasoned HDF Member
#10
07-01-2024, 12:09 PM
Hard to follow as written..
Perhaps you are using a phone instead of computer.
You have:
2014 Ultra Limited.
Bike is of unknown miles. 33K
It is unknown if there are any changes from factory stock. No
History of ownership is unknown. Original Owner
You had a low battery after winter, tried to start it, turned over, then got the usual click click click.
Then you turned off the bike, (the main key ****, not the engine turn off) the bike continued to click for a while. Was the click from starter or relay??? The Click click click probably came from the solenoid at the time. Once the battery was recharge the starter will turn over just fine, if I disconnect the solenoid (not the starter) Connect the battery, Here is the thing. If I turn the key on, and temporarily touch the solenoid connect it will start the bike, but I have to pull the solenoid cable after it starts. Now if I turn the bike off (everything the starter button, the key, the kill with, everything) and I attach the solenoid cable, remember the bike is off off. The bike will start to turn over, not start, just turn over, It won't start because the key is off.
*Reads like the starter solenoid/plunger got stuck. I check the solenoid, it works fine.
The new battery caused starter to engage and get stuck due to bad solenoid. Not stuck. The solenoid is getting power when the bike is off.
*From a distance it reads like issue is at starter
A simple rebuild kit should get it going correctly.
Review Harley starter solenoid repair kit..Under $40 USA dollars and your labor.
Remember to disconnect the battery.
*If diagnosis is correct then damage should be easy to see when you take off the back cover to starter solenoid at the starter ( held by 3 bolts) and remove the plunger.
Not unusual if bike has a lot of miles or if someone was always repeatedly trying to get another start from a dead or sick battery.
You can go on you tube and see a few video to understand how it basically welds together.
The starter gets power directly from battery. The starter gets power directly from the battery, but the Solenoid doesn't.
The starter has a trigger but in your case the trigger is not really the problem since the plunger is stuck/welded and completing the circuit.
I would also change the relay AFTER repair kit is installed.
There is the possibility that someone changed handlebars, grips or hand controls and damaged the starter switch or wires to starter switch.
That starter switch damage caused then initiated the damage to plunger but either way the starter plunger requires review.
Perhaps you are using a phone instead of computer.
You have:
2014 Ultra Limited.
Bike is of unknown miles. 33K
It is unknown if there are any changes from factory stock. No
History of ownership is unknown. Original Owner
You had a low battery after winter, tried to start it, turned over, then got the usual click click click.
Then you turned off the bike, (the main key ****, not the engine turn off) the bike continued to click for a while. Was the click from starter or relay??? The Click click click probably came from the solenoid at the time. Once the battery was recharge the starter will turn over just fine, if I disconnect the solenoid (not the starter) Connect the battery, Here is the thing. If I turn the key on, and temporarily touch the solenoid connect it will start the bike, but I have to pull the solenoid cable after it starts. Now if I turn the bike off (everything the starter button, the key, the kill with, everything) and I attach the solenoid cable, remember the bike is off off. The bike will start to turn over, not start, just turn over, It won't start because the key is off.
*Reads like the starter solenoid/plunger got stuck. I check the solenoid, it works fine.
The new battery caused starter to engage and get stuck due to bad solenoid. Not stuck. The solenoid is getting power when the bike is off.
*From a distance it reads like issue is at starter
A simple rebuild kit should get it going correctly.
Review Harley starter solenoid repair kit..Under $40 USA dollars and your labor.
Remember to disconnect the battery.
*If diagnosis is correct then damage should be easy to see when you take off the back cover to starter solenoid at the starter ( held by 3 bolts) and remove the plunger.
Not unusual if bike has a lot of miles or if someone was always repeatedly trying to get another start from a dead or sick battery.
You can go on you tube and see a few video to understand how it basically welds together.
The starter gets power directly from battery. The starter gets power directly from the battery, but the Solenoid doesn't.
The starter has a trigger but in your case the trigger is not really the problem since the plunger is stuck/welded and completing the circuit.
I would also change the relay AFTER repair kit is installed.
There is the possibility that someone changed handlebars, grips or hand controls and damaged the starter switch or wires to starter switch.
That starter switch damage caused then initiated the damage to plunger but either way the starter plunger requires review.