I have a friend who is currently deployed with the USMC. I am working on getting his 2008 Sportster running before he gets back. It took a beating by his wife when she found out some things he was doing he shouldn't have been doing (you can fill in the blanks). It has a security system on it. When you try to start it, with the fob near the bike, the signals will blink a series of 6 flashes (L,R,L,R,L,R) in a sort of pattern. It will flash that series once, with a pause, then again, with a pause, then does it 8+ times. It will not start when it does this. He has a brand new battery in the fob, which I checked, then switched it out for another new one. He put a new battery on the bike about 2 months ago. The battery was low today (so I think that may have something to do with it). I hooked it up to my truck, and sometimes I can get it to start like there is no issues, but most of the time it's still playing the, someone is trying to steal me, game. Also, when I can get it to start, the lights and horn don't work. Not sure if this could be part of the problem, but the rear signals are busted out as well. I have tried to reset the alarm, but I can't get it to the diagnostic pin mode or whatever. The display doesn't come on at all when doing the switching, and the turn signals don't work so that may be an issue since you have to click those to get it into the pin reset. The relays seem to be ok, as well as the fuses. There is a clicking by the battery (possibly is the battery) when the lights are flashing for the security too. Again, this isn't my bike, so I'm not quite sure what else has been done to it. I took a video of it, but it's not letting me upload it. Any ideas guys?

 

Might be worth sticking the battery on charge over night. Check if it's holding charge.

 

That's the flash telling you the lights are out in the signal lights. It's part of the alarm but the signal light/alarm are one unit. That is not keeping it from starting.

Take the battery and put a good 24-hour maintenance charge on it. Pull it and get it load tested at AutoZone. Be sure they set it for proper small amp setting and it has to be charged to check it. Taking it out ensures you are getting a good fresh tight connection. Do not use a big auto 6-10 amp charger on it. Do not jump it. If the battery is bad, getting it running like that can destroy alternator stator or regulator.. $600 repair.

 

Yup charge your battery and fix your turn signals, then try again and report back.