Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Trouble starting, electrical

My 02 American has started showing signs of not wanting to start. Also having an issue with Turn signals flashing at twice the normal rate, like one of them has a burned out bulb. The issue with not starting is usually the Headlight does not come on and all other indications are normal. If I hit the starter button nothing happens, but you do hear a clicking sound coming from under the Tank. Eventually the Headlight comes on and the bike will start. I removed the tank (need new fuel lines) and listened to the Headlight relay and when bike doesn't start you can hear and fell the Headlight relay clicking or more like clatter. Normally with ignition on the Headlight should be on and when you depress the Start button it goes out until the start button is released. When the bike fails to start the Headlight is out from start to finish. If I hit the start button a number of times then the Headlight will come on and the next time I press the Start button the bike will start.
I will replace the Headlight relay. Found in the Parts Cross Reference that O'Reilly Auto Parts, BWD #R3177 has a direct replacement.

I will replace the Turn Signal Relay as well. Just wondering if I am missing anything with this issue, and has anyone else had this same problem?

Looks like you are on the right path.

I've had that same problem, turns out #30 amp fuse was loose in fuse box, a little di electric grease cured it. Also check your charging system & battery connections. Hope you get it sorted.

Checked all fuses and battery connection first. All seemed good and lubricated all fuses as needed. Battery is a EarthX Lithium Iron Battery and is fully charged. I will get new relays and see what that does for me.

Check all grounds, check and clean battery connections. Disassemble and clean the start button.

I had two bad Relays. The Turn signal relay was bad. Installed a Novita Electronic Flasher Relay P/N EP35, purchased at AutoZone (P/N 548657) for $6.99 plus tax.
Also had a bad Starter Relay (Headlight Relay). Tried a Blazer P/NN005W 30Amp 5 pin relay from AutoZone, which allowed me to start the bike every time, but the Headlight would never come on. Suspect I needed a Duralast P/N 19861 Relay from AutoZone. Didn't know that at the time, and so I went to O'Reilly Auto Parts and got a BWD R3177, 5 pin 30Amp relay for $16.99 plus tax. For cars this relay is designed as a Hvac Heater Relay. Bike now starts normally and the Headlight works as expected.

I love a happy ending.

And thanks for all the technical info. This might help someone down the road.