Harley Sportster Starter Not Working. 

thanks for the video, my 2013 sportster would not start, or click, after much headaches, and help from the dealer, the problem was the key fob battery, i did not know it wouldn't start if fob battery was dead, hopes this helps before you start replacing relays etc, good luck people ps i didn't know the fob had a battery, rob san diego

I've seen many different videos on many different topics from building projects, to repairing weed trimmers, to auto repair videos, but Rocco this was the BEST video I have seen yet---from the standpoints of lighting, camera positioning (and tripod mounting), to clarity of voice, and instructional information. Thank you for posting and I am a 'subscriber' to your channel.

Excellent video like always. Easy to understand, easy to follow. Keep up the great work!

Very helpful information, and allows for easy to follow along. This morning, encountered the Click, Click, Click, Click, Click, Click when trying to start up 2003 XL1200C. And now I'm here :) on RU-vid. Will be testing as instructed in video...fingers crossed --> relay. If not may need the "How to rebuild Starter" video...lol Thanks again, Richmond, TX

As always, great video and instructional content. Make it easy for newbies like me. Thanks, Rocco!

Thanks for the help, your videos have helped me save money more than once

This was my exact problem! Thank you for saving me tons of time and money. Problem fixed, $12.95 and ten minutes time. 🎉

I just started my bike up thanks to you. Thank you sir!

Thanks Rocco you helped me out of a tight spot with this one.

Good job, right to the point, easy to understand.

Great video like always! Thank you so much.

Excellent diagnosis might come in handy for me in the future thanx!

Yet again thank you Rocco for sharing your knowledge, ride safe

Thank you sir..i learn alot from you and save alot of money..from brake pads replace..clutch cable install..everything i learn from you.thank you🙏

Great video! Simple and clear. Thanks!

Great tips! And great content!

ROCCO! Great video, sir! Thank you!

I'm the boyfriend who's girlfriend has one of these bikes. Won't start. Thx for the help in getting her back on the road, and some points too!

Thank sir. This was helpful.

went to dealer and purchased a $12.00 starter relay switch and 6 - 15AMP fuses . . . started right up . . . very happy i made it out alive from the dealer . . . was prep self for $400.00 starter and 300.00 labor cost..thanks for info

Thanks alot for the troubleshoot: the fuses needed to be cleaned!!! :) More $$$ in my pocket!!

Another great video, keep em going!

Rocco you gave me enthusiasm to get my bike alive again 👍

Great video! Thanks much!

Damn what a great video thanks again I’m new to this

Great video ! I can’t seem to find my relay and other fuses, bought the bike used, it’s custom 2016 1200 sporty. I will look again man , thanks !

Figured out what was wrong with mine! It was the fob! Battery in fob was good, but was not making full contact , bike was not recognizing the fob. Made a fitting adjustment for full contact. Work great!

Very helpful i learned a lot yout the man!

Excellent info as usual...👍

great video, I like how the video is "not working" instead of something specific, much higher chance that someone who doesn't know what they are doing will run across it and get educated.

Thanks...very informative.

Thanks for the good vedio explained everything good

Thank you sir Rocco nice explaining details of the sportster that won't start I hope it's my fuse relay as well Thnx again I'm on way to AutoZone

Thank you. Now I know what to do next to figure out why my baby isn't starting.

WAY COOL!!! THANK YOU!!!!!

THIS GUY....AWESOME .....

thank you, save me money and time. God Bless you.

Info saved me a lot of time. And Money ! Thanks Rocco

Great video

Thank you. Do you have a video of you replacing the starter? Pretty sure that’s what I need to do on my 2005 sportster 1200.

THANK YOU!!!

Yes sir I am so grateful for you taking the time to share these "how to" videos, I am presently trying to get a 1994 Sportster back on the road again. I just purchased it and know nothing about the history of it, so I'm slowly replacing items...using your videos as a pathway to learning how to do it by myself. I do have a question concerning the starter... I just installed a brand new battery with the same specs as the OEM battery. It's fully charged, but when I hit the start button it only turns over a half to one revolution and then starts clicking as though the battery is dead. Could you please give me some advice on what I need to check? Do you possibly have a video on how to check/repair this issue? I do not own a repair manual yet, I'm living on a fixed income and unfortunately I cannot afford to get a manual until around November... Im not a mechanic, but I have been quite blessed in figuring things out....but I'm lost on this one. Thank you so very much, because of your videos I almost have this bike operational! God bless you my friend! Donnie Miller

Appreciate the video on how to adjust the clutch. I had always just adjusted the cable for FreePlay didn’t realize I was supposed to adjust it at the clutch as well as cable adjustment. Took the derby cover off today and pull the spring and nut out. Had to turn the adjuster screw counter clockwise 1 and 1/2 turns before clutch pack was snug. Put it all back together seems to work the same as it did before no issue with clutch. Does not creep in gear at a light and it does not slip. Bike now has 41,400 km on it.(25,254 miles) My question is am I gonna soon be looking at a clutch?

Great Job !! - You forgot to put the Fuse Cover back on though...

For got to put the fuse cover back on...great vid thanks

Rocco, do you have a favorite bike to work on, like Honda & Yamaha or do you just do Harleys?

My sporster 48 was hard difficult to start, and got oddly died in the middle of road. I think it was the fuse problem. Thank you.

Awesome video like always. New to the channel , recently bought a 95 and 94 sportster both 1200. Having trouble with the 94 it cranks but won’t turn on. Any tips on where I should go from there? I’m glad I stumbled across your channel since I’m new to bikes in general . Thanks In advance !

Thank you.

Good stuff. Could you share what kind of ohm meter you use?

Well done, you forgot to put the fuze cover back on, thanks for the info.

Hey Rocco. I have a 2009 sportster 1200 low. When it's been running a bit, the solenoid engages when the clutch is engaged or in neutral. I already replaced the on/off and crank switch. Could the contacts be shorting in the solenoid? Any suggestions would help.

two wheel rocco ,i dont have the same fuse box with the relays on my 2021 iron sportster 1200 any idea where the relays might be? Im still having turning over the engine and I put new fuses

With this bike did you have no lights or accessories turning on? Mine is doing the same thing, and I can hear the fuel pump kick on but I have no lights turning on whatsoever.

I bought a 07 sportster that had been sitting for years and wouldn't start. All the fuses had corrosion. Replaced them all, cleaned the terminals and the thing had no problems starting.

Hey Rocco, does 2019 Sportster 48 have a fuse block? I cant find it. Found one with three fuses a 40amp a 10 and a 15 amp. I think there has to be more.. Anyway bike wont start, battery is good. The start run switch doesn't do anything no power to starter with switch depressed. Starter is good supplied power and starter engages. Want to check the fuses and solenoid/relay and wiring cant find the fuse block and solenoid/relay and wires from the switch housing.

Thank you for your video, the explication is so good, i hope you keep share the experiences!!! Greetings from Guadalajara México

My bikes doing the same thing but I think its a bad ground cable.. would a damaged ground cable cause the bike not to start? I assume i need to trace the ground cable from the negative terminal on the battery to where ever it connects to the frame?

Rocco! Having issues with my 99. Go to start it up cranks but won’t spark. Coil reads good battery reads good fuses are good not sure what else it could be. Ran and started fine before this I had swapped bars don’t see any pinched wires any ideas?

Great work! By the way, is it a good idea is put some dielectric grease in the fuses and relays.

Rocco my 2007 xl1200c have a similar problem, I press the starter and hear nothing. My speedometer lights are out with a red light, blinkers dont work. Head light and stop light works and I could hear the fuel pump. Check all my fuses but have not replace the relays, I just swap them places since (both are the same) No start. I do have a oem security alarm but it is also not sensing motion or flickering the lights. I wonder if there is a ECM fuse somewhere else that is not in the fuse box?Any ideas?

So I replaced my fuel pump and injectors but I gotta hold the start button to keep it running soon as I let go cuts off any suggestions maybe the relay? Or it’s a 08 sportster 883

Thank you 🙏

Great video,THANK YOU

My 2008 Sportster started great but then an hour later it wouldn’t start. There was no click or any sign of it trying to turn on. I just replaced the battery a few months ago. The other day I changed all fuses but not the starter relay. I’m hoping this will help but not sure where to go from there

beautiful

Hello...my 06 Sportster 1200 when starting, (not all the time) makes grinding noises...sounds like ring teeth are breaking off...do you have a video of this on what to do? Advice/Opinion Thank you in advance Bill M

does 2006 year of Harley have a fuel pump that makes a sound when ignition turns to on? i am trying to diagnose my bike to see if it is a battery issue or fuel issue or starter/ignition issue, but when i turn my ignition to on position i do not hear a noise in the fuel pump area like i do on a-lot of newer motorcycles. mine is carbureted as well.

Thanks Rocco

Hey Rocco. I'm delving into your past videos for help. I just did some work on my sportster, 1998 1200 custom. I removed tank, re jetted the carb, installed new intake gaskets and a stage 1 arlen ness big sucker. I put everything back together, put key in starter and only the speedometer light comes on nothing else..... it has new battery fully charged. Any idea? Could something have come unplugged?

Hey man! I have a 2001 Sporster 1200 and my bike will crank and crank till the battery dies.. but it wont start. I take the air cleaner off and i see gas being inputted when i turn it over. I changed the sparkplugs aswell. It will eventually start but takes a long time. Any help?

Could a bad relay also cause the starter to engage randomly when the bike is running? When I hit the run switch my bike starts up without pressing the start button and the starter keeps try to engage

How common is it for the stator or voltage regulator to go bad. I have a very low mileage '99 883............thanks.

I have a 2008 sportster 1200. My bike isn't turning on either. I don't have an ohm reader to check the battery but I'll be picking one up soon. My bike is weird though, when I put the key in, I turn the key to ACC and then all of my dashboard lights come up just fine, as soon as I turn the key to the ignition, everything shuts down immediately, no fuel pump sound, no nothing. I'm thinking that it can be a fuse or the relay, but it's just strange to me how there is power to the bike in ACC mode but not when the key is turned to ignition. Let me know what you think about that. Thanks!

2012 Sportster 1200; One day it turned, but wouldn’t start until about the sixth try. Then it ran fine. The next day, same scenario, but would not start at all. The last time I tried, there was a rapid clicking sound and didn’t start. I can hear the pump. Battery test was fine. Leads tight. Any wisdom here? Thanks!

Hey man i have a 05 sporty 1200 custom man great running bike but having an issue when i goto start the bike it doesnt do it everytime but about every 20-30starts or so one start literally sounds like my engine detonating scared to keep running her till i figure her out i replaced voltage regulator bc she had a long draggin start that fixed that issue but just started having this issue now its a really hrd engine shocking almost detonating sound other starts she runs and starts fine but that one every now and then sounds like joker gonna blow up appreciate your wisdom man if u could help with ideas!?

Hey mate, ive got a 2014 but i cant seem to find the same fuse box on my sportster?

Thank u

Hi Rocco! I need your insight. 2001 xlh1200 has been running fine. I go to start it yesterday and I turn the key on, headlight turns on, turn the run button on, and I get a click, (sounded like it came from the 30 amp circuit breaker), and everything goes dark. I followed your video: Checked the battery 13.04v and made sure connections were tight; checked the four 15 amp fuses and replaced them just to be sure; removed the starter relay and replaced it with a brand new one because they are not expensive; I also replaced the 30 amp circuit breaker and checked the continuity and both terminals had juice. I then turned on the key to "Ignition", the headlight came on; I pushed the switch on the handlebar to "run". I then hit the starter button, got a click and evrything went dark again. Just to be sure, I ordered a new ignition switch and I will install that this weekend. Am I missing something? Could a bad solenoid be the culprit? Any help would be appreciated. :)

Does a bad starter relay also effects the (braking) lights? My brakinglights are dead, on the front and rear brake, when u push both in I dont hear the relay clicking.

My 2012 v rod only clicks multiple times. It has a brand new battery. Clicking is coming from battery connection on left of frame by battery

Hey bro I recently installed new bars put everything back together correct and now bike won’t start checked for pinched wire but not the case

Best video. How do you know if the 15 Amp fuse is good or bad? Same with the starter relay, just how do you know it’s bad? The reason is if I have to guess then I need to buy and I just don’t know how to check them. My 2013 custom 1200 right now makes the sound when key is turned and switch is put to ON position , 3 year old battery shows 12.95V on the voltmeter but just would not start. It was always hooked to the tender which showed green before I removed and today (09/16) was the first time I tried to start this year but wasn’t able to. Please advise.

My bike doesn't start or make a sound but was completely fine a few days ago, but it will start working randomly if i just keep trying for a half an hour, the terminal were dirty i cleaned them and i try to wiggle them but it doesnt make a different, the battery and its terminals are good. Its a 79 model any help or ideas would be much appreciated

My right turn signal lights stopped working. Front right turn signal light is on but doesn’t blink or shows on dashboard. And for whatever reason right rear turn signal stopped working. What do u think is issues. 2012 1200 custom sportster. Thank u

Thanks, and you didnt talk too much.

Question man after I replaced the battery on my sporster 72 model 2014, it won't start, but it doesn't seem to take or keep the security 5 digita code ,is this why the bike won't start ?

I had a very bad rain and my nightster won’t start, I have charged the battery and it works for a couple of days but then it won’t start again. I noticed I don’t hear the pump when I turn on the switch anymore. Should I take it to the shop? Or what would you recommend? Thanks in advance for the help

I'm getting ready to try this, but Mines not clicking at all. Was running yesterday.

How do you test the starter exactly? I think my Harley is having a problem with the starter

Can’t anybody help me out when you replace the regulator on a bike do you need to fully charge the battery or should it still keep it charged enough to not completely kill it? I replace the regulator and was riding the bike but the battery died (I didn’t charge it completely) but then I had to roll start it off and it started up. So is it my stator or just charge the battery?

So when I turn the key on my 2008 883 XL I don't here that weening pump. My fuse is ok, maybe it's my pump?

We have lights! Won’t even click. 2008 883L started a few weeks ago just fine. Fob battery is good. Have had bike on tender box. Plugged tender box back in said battery was at 87%. But no clicking at all upon start.

How do I install a primary cover on a 95 sporster 1200

I had relay problems. An extra ground wire on starter and never blew relay again. And no hesitation on starter.

I’ve had a similar problem, but when I would press the start button, all of my lights would turn off and be dead. Any ideas? Thanks!

This just happened to me today. I went to start my 2010 and it gave me nothing. Now at least I have some ideas on where to stsrt

I have a 2006 roadking i think i have a bad starter not sure though i go hit the button and all i get is a click i go to jump the starter and it fires right up tried taking the starter offand seems like it pulls back in every time i try to pull it out hopefully u can give me some type of input

Do you have a video where you rebuild the starter? I can't find it.

Two Wheel Rocko I turn on the bike and after 10 mins it shuts off. Got a brand new battery is there anything else that I can check for?