'09 XT intermittent starting

[SlyFox]

H-D has tried for 4 wks. now to fix an intermittent starting problem on my '09 XT. Changed battery, starter, starter relay and cleaned/checked all connections...problem persists. This bike never did start right from new to now. Sometimes it will start first try, but other times it may take 2 to 12 tries. Sometimes there is no response, but most times it sounds like the starter is trying to engage/ or briefly engages but doesn't hold long enough to start. Any ideas?

 

[user_deleted]

slyfox: are you saying it sometimes takes 2-12 presses of the "start" button on handlebar control to spin over and start it? OR sometimes you must spin the motor over 2-12 times before it starts?
trouble-shoot it yourself or if it is still at H-D the tech should know that it is missing either fuel or spark or both during start sequence. it's easy to troubleshoot. crank for 5 seconds with throttle closed during this "no start" period. pull front plug. is it saturated with fuel or dry? then ground that plug and crank again for a few seconds? any spark? that will tell you where the problem lies but i suspect it's no spark during cranking and would bet on either a weak coil or ignition module that is dropping out when it sees reduced voltage during cranking.

 

[SlyFox]

Starter does not spin or sometimes just barely turns over...feels and sounds like the starter is trying to engage, but most of the time it just feels like a quick bump and then lets go. If it does actually spin enough (albeit just barely) it does start. Sometimes it spins and starts correctly on the first try. H-D called me 4 wks. in a row thinking they had it fixed...mech. said started 50 times and it would start correctly. Soon as I get on or take for test ride it acts up. My wife thinks it doesn't like me.

 

[user_deleted]

i agree with your wife. LOL
95% of these start/no start problems are battery related. remember that these are big displacement twins with alot of compression and like all twins, occasionally suffer from what is known as "compression bump." what that means is that one of the pistons has stopped very near TDC on compression stroke. you engage the starter and there's not enough crankshaft reciprocating energy to push that particular piston thru the remainder of the compression stroke. result is starter relay clicking in rapid succession, starter engages and drops out, or nothing at all. are you experiencing your dash clock resetting during any of this? if so chances are excellent your battery and/or its connections are not up to snuff. i know you mentioned battery has been replaced but just for the hell of it i'd still try another new known good battery.

 

[SlyFox]

2 new batteries that check good...same result. No clock resetting. No starter relay clicking. Just a quick bump and drop out. Sometimes a labored partial crank turn-over. Sometimes with labored spin it would start. LOL...my watch batteries hate me too! Therefore I wear a kinetic watch. Maybe a kinetic bike is the answer! Thanks for input...I'll pass on to Tech...I think they'll soon use a stick of TNT.

 

[SlyFox]

Starter button switch ordered; there is play in the button, so, depending on how it was depressed it gave different responses: nothing...slight bump...brief starter engagement...labored start...or normal start.

 

[jimijeans]

I've replaced many of those cheap Starter Button and Relays assemblys most times the Gloves and not pressing in the middle of the Starter button will bend the contacts and over time push the inner contacts sideways. Now it will sometimes just hit and miss and make you scratch your head. Always Small Things First! they get corroded in the Buttons contacts also. Hope it is an easy fix.*Jimi

 

[SlyFox]

Warranty fix this time...next issues on me. My son with a Buell says what you're saying.