Hard to Crank - Harley Davidson Forums: Harley Davidson Motorcycle Forum

D1W1G · 11-29-2012, 03:43 PM

Good afternoon everyone, question on a 2011 Dyna Wide Glide, it's a 96 CI FI motor with approx 10,3xx miles.

The issue that i'm having is when i ride the bike and the motor gets to be warm enough (idling in traffic, stoplights, about 10-25 minutes of city riding at about 30-55 mph) and then i get to my destination, the bike will sit for about 15-30 minutes and then be just about impossible to start, it will crank and crank and crank but never start. let it set for 5 seconds, try again, nothing, crank crank crank...let it set for another 5 seconds, it will crank crank and the fire up without issue. This happened on several occasions, but not all the time. I can't seem to pin point when it will happen or what leads it to happen. The first time it happened we road for about 45 minutes before our first stop of 15 minutes, then wouldn't start right away. The last time it happened, i road it about 15 minutes and did the same thing. Never occurred during the summer and just started when the temps dropped (so for Texas, that's about 55-60 degrees). can't say it's the battery, cause it will sit over night just fine and fire up the next day just fine, no hesitation at all, or after work, sitting all day, no hesitation at all. It has me baffled. It does have a warranty on it, but wanted to get some ideas before i dropped it off and they kept it for a week trying to figure out what was causing it, cause like i said, it's pretty sporadic , but as often as i ride (everyday) it's bound to happen once a week at least.

I think that's about all the details i can think of.

Thanks guys!!

RicManSr · 11-29-2012, 04:09 PM

I may be way off here, someone with more experience will chime in I'm sure, but I've had a few hot rods over the years. I had a a cobra that had a similar issue. Turned out that the timing was off a lil bit. It would do it every time after it was up to operating temp. Now the truck I had that did that was a restricted fuel line. Check that you are getting fuel and fire. Run a diagnostic on the bike and see if its throwing any codes.

Sent from my iPhone using Motorcycle.com Free App

Badinfluence · 11-29-2012, 04:21 PM

When were the spark plugs changed? A fresh set, gapped properly, may fix it.

THE ROAD · 11-29-2012, 09:33 PM

Sea-foam it !
Check electronic fuel pump .
Simple shit first .
Cycle through codes system & write em all down .

D1W1G · 11-29-2012, 10:32 PM

Not sure on the plugs, I bought it used with 91xx miles on it. I've put just under 2000 on it. Seems to run good, light and hard throttle, not that that has anything to do with it. I'll have to cycle the codes then. Wasn't sure that would work cause the cel isn't on. Fuel pumps go out that early? Hummm...I have a lot to learn about Harleys

Thanks guys!!!!

Sent from my XT907 using Motorcycle.com Free App

GotGold · 11-30-2012, 07:53 AM

Don't chalk off that battery as being okay. I had a sporty that did the exact same thing. Would fire right up cold, no issues, take it on a short joy ride or long ride..friggin thing wouldn't start.. crank but no start. Let it cool about 15 more minutes and she'd fire right up.. it was the battery. Pain in the rear till I found it.. joke was "let him start his bike first then we can leave....."

D1W1G · 11-30-2012, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GotGold

Don't chalk off that battery as being okay. I had a sporty that did the exact same thing. Would fire right up cold, no issues, take it on a short joy ride or long ride..friggin thing wouldn't start.. crank but no start. Let it cool about 15 more minutes and she'd fire right up.. it was the battery. Pain in the rear till I found it.. joke was "let him start his bike first then we can leave....."

Haha, that joke is starting to wear on me now believe it or not. Why would the battery do that? Why would it start fine on a cold crank but not after being ridden for a while?

Sent from my XT907 using Motorcycle.com Free App

GotGold · 11-30-2012, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D1W1G

Haha, that joke is starting to wear on me now believe it or not. Why would the battery do that? Why would it start fine on a cold crank but not after being ridden for a while?

Sent from my XT907 using Motorcycle.com Free App

I've never heard of this problem till it happened to me... not once but two times when the battery was going. Its odd it had enough juice to spin a starter, but not enough to fire the ignition. Walked those shoes, more than once, sitting at the dealership picking up some parts while a huge storm was rolling in... walking the thing after shutting it off while train was crossing... lots of fond friggin memories on that problem.

D1W1G · 11-30-2012, 10:12 AM

I'll have to see if maybe the shop can test the battery too then. I've been lucky at train crossings as Im guaranteed to catch a train once a week going to work or home. Just seems to happen at gas stations. Ever at the dealership

Sent from my XT907 using Motorcycle.com Free App

GotGold · 11-30-2012, 10:26 AM

Well, if ya get caught by a train..don't shut the thing off, if ya do and your pushing it while people are walkin by... just tell em your conserving fuel. At gas stops, follow this procedure. Shut bike off, fill. Do not try and start as all you'll do is look bad. Calmly, walk off with the bike to a safe area, light a small cigar, cig or munch on something..then start.