Why Does My Harley Not Start - Troubleshooting HD Softail Starting Problems

[@RevelatorAlf]

Thanks for watching. More Biker Top Tips here: kzbin.info/aero/PLmgCmljtdCzWJ_uB71rRk5OyVtPtuyAn9

[@budzrobo7410]

My 2004 Fatboy was spluttering then I stopped turned bike off then it would not start , the information you have given has been very helpful. Thank you

[@mikemitchell3889]

Alf, I like these chats about actual mechanical/electrical glitches that may be specific to our brand. I also like it that you "play it down the middle," no drama, just, "here's what the literature said," and/or, "here's what happened with my bike..." Let me hear all about the warts, myopia, and malocclusion. Let me know about the good stuff, too! Thank-You, Mike

[@RevelatorAlf]

Ha ha thank you Mike. Trust me more good stuff is coming too but in the interest of fairness I thought it right and proper to adopt a balanced approach. I’m just the messaged...honest! Cheers

[@valhalla9850]

Keep up the vids, since there's only about 10 of us who actually have sport glides we need a you tube representative.

[@RevelatorAlf]

ha ha, thanks so much

[@arierrefkcim]

Make that 11

[@rontrawick2640]

I have a 2002 road king, I left it in gear and forgot about it and tried to start it so it jumped forward and I think it flooded it and fouled my plugs, so I replaced them. I put the bike on. Charger to make sure it was good,it turns over and has spark but will not start. What's your take on this

[@RevelatorAlf]

Hi Ron. So I assume before you left it in gear it was fine? So I’m wondering whether your plugs were fouling beforehand and not because you tried to start it in gear. Are there any error codes or check engine light? Any historic codes that you can see? From memory there was the option of carb or injected models so which do you have? Do I would start looking into the injection side/throttle management or perhaps a neutral switch or sensor. I would imagine it would be along those lines it’s just a matter of narrowing down by testing each component

[@rontrawick2640]

It is carbed

[@RevelatorAlf]

@@rontrawick2640 keep at it, you'll figure it out. Just a process of elimination

[@andrewbarlow8937]

Very Helpful. Thank you Sir. I'll get my scooter running now.

[@RevelatorAlf]

Cheers

[@beri232]

I just changed out my rocker boxes on my 2014 Softail and now the bike turns over but won’t start. I pulled the plugs and there’s no spark going to either of them. I rechecked all my harnesses and plugs and everything is good. This damn thing has me baffled! There’s only 3,500kms on it.

[@djkatt]

I have a 2007 Harley Davidson road King custom fuel pump is not going on when I hit the run switch can you help me

[@aahsan80]

Bought my 2021 sportglide exactly one month ago. Began having starting issues a week ago (starter tries turn over, but engine doesn’t start). Dealer replaced central control module (or something along those lines) - bike worked for a day and a half.....found myself stranded second weekend in a row because it won’t start. Wondering if it’s a heat issue? Both weekend mornings, started the ride when it was cloudy, by afternoon skies cleared, the sun came out and temps went up. Parked the bike indoors in the shade, a few hours later it started right up! (This shouldn’t be an issue....but can’t think of anything else!). Any suggestions?

[@RevelatorAlf]

It could be a whole host of things. Your dealer will need to do a full diagnostic to narrow down what is causing the issue. It could be rooted in either the ECM or BCM or possibly even in the IM or most likely it will be a sensor issue. I assume you have checked battery terminals and error codes too? Cheers

[@aahsan80]

@@RevelatorAlf check and check on the battery and battery connectors. It’s going back to the dealer this week to figure it out. Bummer tho, not the sort of experience you expect or want from a name like HD plus it being brand new!! Appreciate the reply, keep the content coming!!

[@arierrefkcim]

I just bought mine. I removed the tank and wired it for LED glow lights. A kit made for motorcycles. I created a plug that plugs into the recharging port. I tapped the blue brake light wire into the left turn signal. Now the left signal won’t work. AND the bike turns over but won’t start. However the LED glow light work great and all light up, red when I apply the brakes. I’m pissed I just got the bike and now it doesn’t run.

[@RevelatorAlf]

Yes it would appear you have run into your harness. I would undo everything and start again. Perhaps get a HEX exCAN to power this for you without problems. See my latest videos on this. Cheers

[@markhenry192]

Interesting stuff. I have seen a few vlogs high lighting problems with the new Softails. I am sure they will be ironed out in time. As a matter of interest do you think you will keep your Sport Glide? I can well imagine you on a Heritage, a bike that gets very positive reviews. Thanks

[@RevelatorAlf]

mark henry yes I think this is the bike for me certainly for the foreseeable future. Not sure the Heritage is my style to be honest although it is a nice bike. Cheers

[@nozzer6686]

Just had a test ride on the Sport Glide with a stage one, very impressive. I think my Multistrada will be coming a HD SG very soon! Any issues with yours or any dislikes creeping in now you’ve had it a while longer? Are you going stage one or still happy stock?

[@RevelatorAlf]

Nozzer 66 thanks fella. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed at all. Right. Ie I’m happy with the way it is although perhaps next year I may up stage. I really want to feel it out before I really decide what mods I do but overall very happy with the bike. The only small issue right now has been a little scuffing on the yokes from small fairing vibrations. I’ve done some videos about it and am in the process of addressing that. Not a widespread issue but there have been cases in uk, Europe and USA. But overall it’s the best bike I’ve owned in terms of instant connection with but of course not necessarily performance. But then again I am getting old ha ha. Cheers

[@nozzer6686]

RevelatorAlf thanks for your thoughts, I’ve always known I would try HD and now at the ripe age of 53 I feel the timing is spot on with these new Softail models! Many thanks for all the effort you put into your vids, regards Nozzer

[@RevelatorAlf]

Much appreciated thanks so much

[@robbiedeshotel24]

I let the battery on my 2011 Harley Davidson Heritage softail and charger it with a battery charger. It will not start because of what I did. I need help with the code it’s giving. Can you help? Thanks

[@RevelatorAlf]

What is the code?

[@AndyHannah-o9e]

I have a2010 electric glide the starter will engage and the engine will turn over but will not start. The fuel pump will not come on. There is no power to the fuel pump fuse. Also, the spot lights will not come on there is power to all fuses, and all fuses are good

[@RevelatorAlf]

have you checked wiring to see if there are any breaks

[@harolddavis8583]

I know you go over a lot of points. I just have a problem that I can’t really find anything about. I had put to much gas it was poring all over I went home didn’t ride it for a week and ahelf know it won’t i don’t know what to do Anything can help thanks

[@RevelatorAlf]

Harold Davis ok I don’t understand what you’ve asked. Are you saying that after not riding it for a week, your bike will not start now?

[@harolddavis8583]

RevelatorAlf I over filled the gas tank and park it for a week after that now I won’t start

[@RevelatorAlf]

Harold Davis ah ok. So if you can answer these questions. 1. What bike is it? 2. Does the engine turn over? 3. Do you have a separate fuel tap? 4. Is the battery fully charged? 5. If the engine does turn over, do you hear a strange sound? 6. If the engine turns over do you smell fuel and do you see any smoke out of the exhaust? 7. Have you checked all spark plugs for spark and are all HT leads and caps secure? Cheers

[@harolddavis8583]

RevelatorAlf 2006 Harley fatboy it dose turn over it doesn’t take any particular gas I always put premium battery is at 56% I do have it on the charger it’s dose sound strong you do smell gas but no smoke did just Change spark plugs the old ones where flooded thanks for getting back to me

[@RevelatorAlf]

Harold Davis ok take a spark plug out and place the cap back on. Hold it so the probe touches the engine casing and then press the starter to see if you have a spark. Make sure you wear gloves so you don’t get a shock. Test each spark plug in turn. This sounds like spark ignition timing issue. Do that and let me know what you find

[@AndyHannah-o9e]

Have no power to my fuel pump fuse

[@djkatt]

Want to try to start the bike I don't hear the fuel pump come on

[@RevelatorAlf]

Check the connectors underneath or the connector to the instrument module

[@djkatt]

I just hear it click like a solenoid I don't hear the fuel pump come on at all just that little click

[@TriumphRascal]

Blimey Alf....have you had a problem with your Sport Glide yet?....I test rode one and love the bike and hope to buy one...you can get problems with any bike.... I like your channel and enjoy most of your videos, but why did you post this one? Are you running out of material? Keep the positive videos coming on how good the Sport Glide is please.

[@RevelatorAlf]

No problems at all. These are merely information videos to help with a better understanding of the bike. Cheers

[@thomasgratto8627]

no spark

[@itemps]

I had a 97 sportster that turned over everytime even after a winter. I have a 17' dyna street bob and have issues. Fuck ecm's

[@jackoften7380]

H E L P........ 2009 Harley Ultra.... NO CRANK, NO BLINKERS, HORN WORKS, HEADLIGHTS, RUNNING LIGHTS,GAUGE LIGHTS WORK, EXCEPT THE LIGHTS ON SPEEDOMETER AND TACH ARE NOT WORKING...NO DISPLAY ON SPEEDO FOR CODES..... CANT RESET tsm Because of the no Signals problem H E L P......

[@davidpannell6195]

My Harley will turn over and it's getting gas and it won't start diagnosis

[@RevelatorAlf]

Ignition model likely

[@mikelopez4563]

Do you don't make no sense you're kind of talking repeating yourself no help at all

[@wendytaylor3424]

Do you ever have anything positive to say 🤔

[@RevelatorAlf]

ha ha, yes I do. Maybe you need to watch all my video archive to find out.