Like he said, most likely is your battery. However, when the hold in coil is out on the starter solenoid it will do the same thing that you are just describing. In that case you need a new starter motor or you could try to rebuild your solenoid. The starter motor and is very easy to swap out. First, disconnect your battery. Do not skip this step. Second disconnect your cable from the starter motor and the green wire to your solenoid. Third, remove your primary cover (follow the step-by-step instructions in your manual)
Fourth, remove the compensating sprocket nut and clutch hub lock ring. Your primary chain should be loose by now from when you removed the primary cover.
Fifth, remove the two starter mounting bolts, should be 5/16 Allen bolts and remove the starter.
You can bench test the battery by using a known good battery hooking up positive to the starter copper post and the battery positive post then negative to the starter case, I usually clamp the jumper cable to the mounting bolt ear. Then get a jumper wire, 18 gauge or bigger and touch one end to the copper starter post(or the battery (+)post and the other side momentarily touch the spade connector on the solenoid ( where the green wire connects to) hold the starter firmly because it will jump. The starter will either push the jack shaft out and spin (then the starter is good )or the jackshaft will click in and out rapidly and then you'll know it's the solenoid hold in coil.
But it's probably just the battery.
16 Comments
Hard fast clicking is starter motor below its full voltage, best charger to have is a optimate 3 or above,this will desulvate your battery,charge it,and be fully charge by morning,I have a optimate3 and a yellow gel battery.I plug my in after every ride,and mine fires first time everytime.
by SMUDGER
Try to determine if clicking is coming from circuit breaker or solenoid or maybe even starter. That will determine next course of action. This is a very common problem. I've been working it out for a few months but I've researched the !&&* out of it. And you should invest in a trickle charger as Smudger suggests.
by Toro Castano
I'm having the same problem with my 98 dyna battery tested good but I bought a new one anyways I put it in and it just cranks over a few times very slow then just fast clicking sound
by fierman222001
I was told it could be the starter motor
by fierman222001
Same issue here on 2012 HD Fatboy. I left the accessory on and drained battery. Tried jumping bike with my truck. Learned from Harley Dealer to never jump bike with vehicle running. It's too much juice. When trying to start while hooked u to started vehicle, head light was strong implying it should start, but not the case. Instead I just heard rapid clicking sound. Thought it was starter or solenoid. Very loud. Put new battery in and started right up. Apparently I fried battery with improper charging. Threw the Amp vs. Voltage out of balance.
by Douglas Ottenberg
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