Slow Crank And Clock/Trip Reset Problem Suggestions

RiseLikeRa · 10-23-2013, 12:22 PM

Group Wise Ones:

2002 FI 1500 is scaring me 400 miles from home. Recently the bike has been turning over EXTREMELY slowly. On occasion I hear a clicking sound, perhaps from the starter? On a second push it would swing slowly and then start. The battery is an Interstate Glass mat and only about 13 months old and kept on a tender when I am at home. I pulled the seat and checked the terminals. Both to only about 1/8 of a turn but seemed tight. I have a Kuryakyn Volt meter mounted on the tank so I can see that I am charging in the green at all times. What am I missing? I dont want to go for a battery on the road AND that not be the problem.

Its going to get down to 27 degress tonight and I plan to head home at first light. Ant suggestions would be appreciated.

Ra

waterman · 10-23-2013, 12:30 PM

Check the ground as well as any corrosion on the battery terminals. I just had this happen and took the terminals apart and cleaned them. All was fine.

cactusjack · 10-23-2013, 12:43 PM

It still could be the battery itself. Both my Nomad and my Harley had the same symptoms and a new battery took care of the problem.

**ringadingh** · 10-23-2013, 01:03 PM

If your connections are clean and tight, and it still does that, you are due for a new battery.

recumbentbob · 10-23-2013, 01:45 PM

Time to replace the battery.

**vulcanscott** · 10-23-2013, 01:58 PM

I agree battery time.

**Top Cat** · 10-23-2013, 02:03 PM

You can't just tighten the connections on the battery.
You must remove them and reinstall.
I found this out the expensive way.

1mackdog · 10-23-2013, 02:53 PM

You have to really clean and scrape the leads and terminals to make sure they are well secured. My motor did the same thing had to clean them twice.

RiseLikeRa · 10-23-2013, 06:00 PM

I will go for the good wire brush clean when I get home. I just need a few starts to get me back 400 miles with gas stops. IF it is a battery that is needed I am going to take the leap to lithium. I put one in a friends bike earlier this year and the thing cranks like a beast. I will however have to get the special charger that is another $80 bucks. Ouch. Wish me luck gang.

Ra

**cnc** · 10-23-2013, 06:10 PM

As said remove, clean and reinstall both battery cables and terminals, it may help. I'm betting the battery is going south though.
If you don't want to buy a battery on the road then here is an option.
Buy a booster pack in case you get stuck, you can boost your self. You don't need a big huge one for a bike. I bought a small one a few years ago and carried it around with me on another bike that was having starting issues. It comes in handy for lots of other light duty boosting too.

macmac · 10-23-2013, 06:18 PM

Got a real volt meter? With out a volt meter or a load tester you are all done. With out them the best you can do is scrap and sand paper the battery terminals and make sure they are tight.

This IS what happens when you need a battery, but at 13 months you shouldn't need a battery. If electrics are not in your bag of tricks go get a load test done on the battery.

RiseLikeRa · 10-23-2013, 08:40 PM

I do have a volt meter. What reading should I get when cranking IF the battery is good? I would assume that a lower reading would have me shopping for a Lithium Battery

**cnc** · 10-23-2013, 10:00 PM

I can't look at my nomad shop manual right now now but in general on a 12 volt system, you shouldn't drop below 10 volts while cranking maybe 9.5. If you drop to 9 or less your battery is weak.

lar · 10-24-2013, 12:38 AM

Make sure your battery leads are clean and tight at both ends not only at the battery.

RiseLikeRa · 10-24-2013, 05:37 AM

I was able to check for tightness, not remove and clean, 3 of the 4 connecting points for the battery cable. Pos and neg at the battery and Neg to frame. I assume that the pos runs to a starter solenoid that is not easily visible. The booster pack is a great idea that I never thought of. I do have some room in my T-Bag since I mailed some clothing home ahead of me. Kickstands up in an hour. I will keep the group posted.

Ra

10-23-2013, 12:22 PM	#1
RiseLikeRa Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Pawling, NY Posts: 186	Slow Crank And Clock/Trip Reset Problem Suggestions Group Wise Ones: 2002 FI 1500 is scaring me 400 miles from home. Recently the bike has been turning over EXTREMELY slowly. On occasion I hear a clicking sound, perhaps from the starter? On a second push it would swing slowly and then start. The battery is an Interstate Glass mat and only about 13 months old and kept on a tender when I am at home. I pulled the seat and checked the terminals. Both to only about 1/8 of a turn but seemed tight. I have a Kuryakyn Volt meter mounted on the tank so I can see that I am charging in the green at all times. What am I missing? I dont want to go for a battery on the road AND that not be the problem. Its going to get down to 27 degress tonight and I plan to head home at first light. Ant suggestions would be appreciated. Ra Login or Register to Remove Ads
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10-23-2013, 12:30 PM	#2
waterman Top Contributor Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 6,530	Check the ground as well as any corrosion on the battery terminals. I just had this happen and took the terminals apart and cleaned them. All was fine. __________________ Joel "Waterman" 2017 HD Road Glide Ultra 2006 Nomad - Sold VBA 213 VROC 16913 Custer 09: Cortez 10: Crescent City 11: Kanab 12: Estes Park 13: Tahoe 14: Red Lodge 16
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10-23-2013, 12:43 PM	#3
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	It still could be the battery itself. Both my Nomad and my Harley had the same symptoms and a new battery took care of the problem. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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10-23-2013, 01:03 PM	#4
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	If your connections are clean and tight, and it still does that, you are due for a new battery. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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10-23-2013, 01:45 PM	#5
recumbentbob Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Newburgh IN Posts: 3,404	Time to replace the battery. __________________ VBA #01084 "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." Login or Register to Remove Ads
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10-23-2013, 01:58 PM	#6
vulcanscott Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: chandler okla Posts: 854	I agree battery time.
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10-23-2013, 02:03 PM	#7
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	You can't just tighten the connections on the battery. You must remove them and reinstall. I found this out the expensive way. __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4]
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10-23-2013, 02:53 PM	#8
1mackdog Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: CHATTANOOGA,TN. Posts: 78	You have to really clean and scrape the leads and terminals to make sure they are well secured. My motor did the same thing had to clean them twice.
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10-23-2013, 06:00 PM	#9
RiseLikeRa Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Pawling, NY Posts: 186	I will go for the good wire brush clean when I get home. I just need a few starts to get me back 400 miles with gas stops. IF it is a battery that is needed I am going to take the leap to lithium. I put one in a friends bike earlier this year and the thing cranks like a beast. I will however have to get the special charger that is another $80 bucks. Ouch. Wish me luck gang. Ra
	0

10-23-2013, 06:10 PM	#10
cnc Join Date: May 2009 Location: Montreal QC Posts: 12,034	As said remove, clean and reinstall both battery cables and terminals, it may help. I'm betting the battery is going south though. If you don't want to buy a battery on the road then here is an option. Buy a booster pack in case you get stuck, you can boost your self. You don't need a big huge one for a bike. I bought a small one a few years ago and carried it around with me on another bike that was having starting issues. It comes in handy for lots of other light duty boosting too. __________________ Norm Ward 2008 blue / silver nomad kawanow / VBA #01136
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10-23-2013, 06:18 PM	#11
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Got a real volt meter? With out a volt meter or a load tester you are all done. With out them the best you can do is scrap and sand paper the battery terminals and make sure they are tight. This IS what happens when you need a battery, but at 13 months you shouldn't need a battery. If electrics are not in your bag of tricks go get a load test done on the battery. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
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10-23-2013, 08:40 PM	#12
RiseLikeRa Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Pawling, NY Posts: 186	I do have a volt meter. What reading should I get when cranking IF the battery is good? I would assume that a lower reading would have me shopping for a Lithium Battery
	0

10-23-2013, 10:00 PM	#13
cnc Join Date: May 2009 Location: Montreal QC Posts: 12,034	I can't look at my nomad shop manual right now now but in general on a 12 volt system, you shouldn't drop below 10 volts while cranking maybe 9.5. If you drop to 9 or less your battery is weak. __________________ Norm Ward 2008 blue / silver nomad kawanow / VBA #01136
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10-24-2013, 12:38 AM	#14
lar Sr. Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Concord, NH Posts: 1,407	Make sure your battery leads are clean and tight at both ends not only at the battery. __________________ Larry Martel 02 1500 Nomad VBA 01565 VROC4737 Patriot Guard Rider
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10-24-2013, 05:37 AM	#15
RiseLikeRa Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Pawling, NY Posts: 186	I was able to check for tightness, not remove and clean, 3 of the 4 connecting points for the battery cable. Pos and neg at the battery and Neg to frame. I assume that the pos runs to a starter solenoid that is not easily visible. The booster pack is a great idea that I never thought of. I do have some room in my T-Bag since I mailed some clothing home ahead of me. Kickstands up in an hour. I will keep the group posted. Ra
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