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harley davidson nightster 2009 won't start?
- Thread starter Zapp
- Start date
bikinkawboy
New member
You might charge the battery up and while it's doing that, remove the spark plugs. If they're wet or cruddy, clean them up good and replace them. Once the battery is fully charged, try starting it again. If the battery went dead after only a few cranks, then it may have been nearly dead to start with. A battery will go dead just setting there and since I assume your bike is fuel injected, the computer continues to draw juice even with the bike turned off. Some engines are extremely sensitive to cranking speed and if the starter doesn't turn them over quite fast enough, they'll never start no matter how long you crank.
If that doesn't get things going, remove a spark plug, stick the plug into the cap and lay the plug on the engine so that the metal partof the plug lays on a clean metal part of the engine. Crank it over and see if there is a spark at the plug. If not, then it's likely an ignition related problem. If so, then a fuel delivery problem. I won't go into any detail about those areas at this time.
Additional
I didn't see your earlier post when I wrote the above. Since it died as soon as you put the stand down, I'd definately say the problem is in the safety interlock circuit. Not to sound stupid, but is your neutral light on or did you have the clutch pulled in when you were trying to start it? Most interlocks use a combination of the sidestand switch, clutch lever switch and neutral switch. Even though the tranny is actually in neutral, if the shift lever wasn't positioned enough to cause the neutral light to come on, the starting system will think the bike's in gear and cut the ignition. Try starting it with the stand up, the clutch lever pulled back, the neutral light on and make sure the kill switch is turned to on or run. If it doesn't start now, then you have problems elsewhere. Since you cranked on it without starting, it would still be a good idea to pull the plugs to make sure they are dry and not wet fouled.
If that doesn't get things going, remove a spark plug, stick the plug into the cap and lay the plug on the engine so that the metal partof the plug lays on a clean metal part of the engine. Crank it over and see if there is a spark at the plug. If not, then it's likely an ignition related problem. If so, then a fuel delivery problem. I won't go into any detail about those areas at this time.
Additional
I didn't see your earlier post when I wrote the above. Since it died as soon as you put the stand down, I'd definately say the problem is in the safety interlock circuit. Not to sound stupid, but is your neutral light on or did you have the clutch pulled in when you were trying to start it? Most interlocks use a combination of the sidestand switch, clutch lever switch and neutral switch. Even though the tranny is actually in neutral, if the shift lever wasn't positioned enough to cause the neutral light to come on, the starting system will think the bike's in gear and cut the ignition. Try starting it with the stand up, the clutch lever pulled back, the neutral light on and make sure the kill switch is turned to on or run. If it doesn't start now, then you have problems elsewhere. Since you cranked on it without starting, it would still be a good idea to pull the plugs to make sure they are dry and not wet fouled.
bikinkawboy
New member
You might charge the battery up and while it's doing that, remove the spark plugs. If they're wet or cruddy, clean them up good and replace them. Once the battery is fully charged, try starting it again. If the battery went dead after only a few cranks, then it may have been nearly dead to start with. A battery will go dead just setting there and since I assume your bike is fuel injected, the computer continues to draw juice even with the bike turned off. Some engines are extremely sensitive to cranking speed and if the starter doesn't turn them over quite fast enough, they'll never start no matter how long you crank.
If that doesn't get things going, remove a spark plug, stick the plug into the cap and lay the plug on the engine so that the metal partof the plug lays on a clean metal part of the engine. Crank it over and see if there is a spark at the plug. If not, then it's likely an ignition related problem. If so, then a fuel delivery problem. I won't go into any detail about those areas at this time.
Additional
I didn't see your earlier post when I wrote the above. Since it died as soon as you put the stand down, I'd definately say the problem is in the safety interlock circuit. Not to sound stupid, but is your neutral light on or did you have the clutch pulled in when you were trying to start it? Most interlocks use a combination of the sidestand switch, clutch lever switch and neutral switch. Even though the tranny is actually in neutral, if the shift lever wasn't positioned enough to cause the neutral light to come on, the starting system will think the bike's in gear and cut the ignition. Try starting it with the stand up, the clutch lever pulled back, the neutral light on and make sure the kill switch is turned to on or run. If it doesn't start now, then you have problems elsewhere. Since you cranked on it without starting, it would still be a good idea to pull the plugs to make sure they are dry and not wet fouled.
If that doesn't get things going, remove a spark plug, stick the plug into the cap and lay the plug on the engine so that the metal partof the plug lays on a clean metal part of the engine. Crank it over and see if there is a spark at the plug. If not, then it's likely an ignition related problem. If so, then a fuel delivery problem. I won't go into any detail about those areas at this time.
Additional
I didn't see your earlier post when I wrote the above. Since it died as soon as you put the stand down, I'd definately say the problem is in the safety interlock circuit. Not to sound stupid, but is your neutral light on or did you have the clutch pulled in when you were trying to start it? Most interlocks use a combination of the sidestand switch, clutch lever switch and neutral switch. Even though the tranny is actually in neutral, if the shift lever wasn't positioned enough to cause the neutral light to come on, the starting system will think the bike's in gear and cut the ignition. Try starting it with the stand up, the clutch lever pulled back, the neutral light on and make sure the kill switch is turned to on or run. If it doesn't start now, then you have problems elsewhere. Since you cranked on it without starting, it would still be a good idea to pull the plugs to make sure they are dry and not wet fouled.
Aussie H.D. Rider
New member
If it is a 2009 isn`t it still under warranty? call Harley Assist.