Weak starts Sportster XL1200R
#1
06-26-2018, 09:21 PM
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Location: Canada
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Weak starts Sportster XL1200R
I have a ‘04 Sportster Roadster which I have owned since new and have put on 60,000 miles relatively trouble free. Five years ago I replaced the original battery, and two more since. I keep the bike on a battery tender all year long. It indicates green when fully charged with a no-load voltage of 13.2.
Starting is weak: starter engages briefly, pauses, re-engages and starts. Once started and at normal temperatures it becomes easier to start with still some momentary pausing. After 3 consecutive start attempts, the battery will barely turn the engine. The odd thing is that it will run all day no problems. Last night, I left the key on for 15 minutes and was unable to start until I recharged it fully and again a weak start. This is the first time that a start attempt failed.
I checked the connections to the battery; all good.
is it a charging problem, starter, coil or something else. Your thoughts and experience appreciated. Thank you.
Pierre
Fonthill, ON
Canada
Starting is weak: starter engages briefly, pauses, re-engages and starts. Once started and at normal temperatures it becomes easier to start with still some momentary pausing. After 3 consecutive start attempts, the battery will barely turn the engine. The odd thing is that it will run all day no problems. Last night, I left the key on for 15 minutes and was unable to start until I recharged it fully and again a weak start. This is the first time that a start attempt failed.
I checked the connections to the battery; all good.
is it a charging problem, starter, coil or something else. Your thoughts and experience appreciated. Thank you.
Pierre
Fonthill, ON
Canada
#2
06-27-2018, 03:40 PM
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#3
06-27-2018, 03:49 PM
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Pierre
Last edited by PierreG; 06-27-2018 at 03:53 PM.
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06-27-2018, 03:52 PM
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Pierre
#5
06-27-2018, 06:49 PM
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Well depending on your geographical location batteries can last anywhere from 1 to 4 or more years. Out here in the desert southwest if we get 2 years out of our batteries that's pretty good. Of course if we don't ride it often and its not on a tender, then we can't expect to even get a year out of the battery. The heat out here just eats up batteries. So 3 batteries in 6 years means you're averaging 1 battery every 2 years which is still pretty good considering that you are averaging about 4500 miles if you have a 2004 with 60,000 miles on it.
#6
06-28-2018, 06:00 AM
#7
06-28-2018, 08:47 AM
Road Master
Check your battery connections and make sure they are clean and tight, both at the battery and where they terminate. Also when checking the end of the ground cable be sure to check the ground stud is tight in the case. I was having the same issue you are and it was because the ground stud in the case was loose.
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#8
06-29-2018, 11:02 AM
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