A buddy of mine is having issues starting his 08 Nightster, here is what its doing.

when he turns his key on all the lights and everything comes on ok.. but when he hits the start button nothing happens no click no whining like its trying to turn over.. at first we thought it might be the key fob but does the same thing with both of them. anyone else have these issues and what did you do to fix it?

and yes hes checked the ON/OFF switch.. thats what I thought might be the issue at first but without checking the wires it is in the ON position.

thanks
J

 

Did you try a new Battery in the key FOB? Being an 08, the batteries in both FOBs might be dead.

 

I don't think he did.. but even if the fob was dead wont the engine try to turn over?

 

No if the fob needs a new battery the security system won't recognize it since it isn't putting out a signal. The lights may still turn on if there is some power to the system but, maybe not enough to turn it over. I had the same problem with mine a while back it sounded like it wanted to turn over but it just made a nasty clicking sound. Hooked it up to a trickle charger for a while and it started just fine.

 

His isn't even making a clicking sound.. almost like the starter isn't getting power.. and he replaced his battery on the bike about 3 months ago with a new gel-cell

 

i had the same problem with my '09 nightster . First i replaced the battery and the problem still consisted. then i replaced the starter relay and that seemed to fix the problem. thats what i would try next its a $12.00 part from harley.
good luck

 

Thats another thing I just thought about check the relays and the fuses. The box isn't waterproof so it's prone to oxidation.

 

...from the info you've given us that is the next step in the line of troubleshooting.
The switch, fob, and battery are all good... then maybe the contact relay isn't pulling in.

 

I'd have a hard time believing a fob battery would go in that amount of time. Aren't they similar to watch batteries or am I mistaken? Watch batteries last a damn long time.

 

A watch isn't a radio transmitter. Anything after 2 years on a fob battery is a gamble, depending on how often the fob is used. (used only on sunny weekends vs. ridden daily)