Beatrice Lang
If your Harley Electra Glide motorcycle won't start, it could be due to a weak or dead battery. Before attempting to jump-start your bike, check the battery's voltage. If it's below 12V, it will need to be recharged. Harley Davidson does not recommend jump-starting a motorcycle as it can be dangerous and cause permanent damage to the battery and electrical systems. However, if you're on a motorcycle tour and no mechanic shops are nearby, you can try to jump-start your bike using another motorcycle and jumper cables. Make sure any donor battery can generate 12V, and keep the negative terminal away from the bike's metal, chrome, and painted parts to avoid damage and staining.
How to Jumpstart a Harley Electra Glide
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Harley Davidson's official stance on jump-starting | Not recommended due to the risk of permanent damage to the battery and electrical systems |
| Battery voltage level | 12V |
| Battery check | Use volt or multimeter to check voltage; check brightness of lights (dim indicates drained battery) |
| Jump-starting method | Using another motorcycle and jumper cables |
| Jumper cable connection | Connect positive terminals of both batteries, then connect negative terminal of donor battery |
| Safety precautions | Ensure negative terminal/cable of battery does not touch metal, chrome, or painted parts; keep flammable objects away |
| Alternative methods | Using a jump box or battery booster |
| Car jump-start | Possible if the car is turned off to avoid too many volts |
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What You'll Learn
Check the battery's voltage with a volt or multimeter
If your Harley Electra Glide motorcycle is having starting issues, it could be due to a weak or dead battery. Before attempting to jump-start your Harley, it is important to check the battery's voltage to confirm that it is, in fact, drained. This can be done using a volt or multimeter. Here is a step-by-step guide to checking the battery voltage of your Harley Electra Glide:
First, locate the battery. On a Harley motorcycle, the battery is usually placed inside the frame under a battery cover. Remove the seat to access the battery.
Next, take your volt or multimeter and identify its components. A multimeter has two probes: a red probe and a black probe. The red probe is connected to the multimeter's positive terminal, while the black probe is connected to the negative terminal.
Now, connect the probes to the corresponding terminals on the battery. The red probe should be attached to the positive terminal of the battery, and the black probe to the negative terminal. Ensure that the connections are secure and that the probes are not touching any other parts of the motorcycle.
Once the probes are connected, adjust the settings on the multimeter. Set the multimeter to DC voltage mode by turning the dial or knob to the symbol that denotes direct current (DC). This is usually indicated by a 'V' with a straight line and, in some cases, three dashes (⎓) followed by a range of numbers. Set the range higher than the expected battery voltage, which is typically 12V for a Harley motorcycle.
After setting the correct mode and range, observe the voltage reading on the multimeter's display. A typical healthy battery will show a voltage reading at or slightly above the rated voltage. If the voltage is slightly below the rated voltage, the battery may be weak and need recharging. A significantly lower voltage indicates a drained or dead battery.
Note that it is important to keep the negative terminal of the battery away from metal, chrome, and painted motorcycle parts to avoid damage and staining. Additionally, ensure that the multimeter probes are connected correctly and securely to obtain an accurate reading.
By following these steps, you can accurately check the battery voltage of your Harley Electra Glide using a volt or multimeter. This will help you determine if the battery needs to be recharged or jump-started. Remember to perform regular maintenance checks on your motorcycle battery to reduce the risk of starting issues.
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Keep the negative terminal away from metal, chrome, and painted parts
When jump-starting a Harley Electra Glide, it is crucial to pay attention to the battery's negative terminal. The negative terminal of a battery is typically indicated by a minus sign or the colour black. Keeping this terminal away from metal, chrome, and painted parts of the motorcycle is essential to prevent damage and staining.
Harley-Davidson motorcycles are equipped with a 12V battery. If the battery becomes drained, you may need to jump-start the motorcycle using another motorcycle or a donor battery. However, it is important to remember that Harley-Davidson does not recommend jump-starting a motorcycle as it can potentially cause permanent damage to the battery and electrical systems.
When jump-starting, always ensure that the negative terminal of the battery is handled with care. Keep it away from any metal, chrome, or painted surfaces on the motorcycle. Even a brief contact between the negative terminal and these parts can lead to undesirable consequences. Touching the negative terminal to metal can cause an explosion, resulting in severe injuries or even death. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain a safe distance between the negative terminal and any metal, chrome, or painted components.
To ensure safety, follow these guidelines: after connecting the jumper cable to the donor battery's negative terminal, be cautious to prevent the other end of the cable from coming into contact with the negative terminal of the drained battery. Always keep flammable objects away from the work area when jump-starting to mitigate the risk of accidents.
By adhering to these precautions and keeping the negative terminal away from metal, chrome, and painted parts, you can safely and effectively jump-start your Harley Electra Glide while minimising the risk of damage or injury.
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Connect the donor battery to the drained battery
Jump-starting a Harley Davidson motorcycle should only be done in emergencies as it can be dangerous and cause permanent damage to the battery and electrical systems. If your Harley Electra Glide won't start, first check the battery's voltage. If it is below 12V, the battery is drained and must be recharged.
If you are on a motorcycle tour and no mechanic shops are located nearby, you can try to jump-start your Harley Electra Glide. You will need a donor battery that can generate 12V, jumper cables, and wrenches to remove the seats to access the batteries. Ensure that the donor battery is not generating a higher voltage, as this can cause permanent damage to the drained battery and the motorcycle's electrical systems.
Turn off both motorcycles and all electrical equipment. Remove the seats to access both batteries. Keep the negative terminal/cable of the battery away from the metal, chrome, and painted motorcycle parts to avoid damage and staining. Ensure that the other end of the cable does not touch or come close to the negative terminal of the drained battery, as this could cause an explosion resulting in severe injuries or even death. Keep any flammable objects away from the work area.
Use a jumper cable to connect the positive terminal of the drained battery with the positive terminal of the donor battery. Using another jumper cable, connect one end to the negative terminal of the donor battery. These connections will transfer power from the donor battery to the drained battery.
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Ensure the donor battery can generate 12V
To jump-start a Harley Electra Glide, it is important to ensure that the donor battery can generate 12V. This is because Harley Davidson motorcycles are equipped with a 12V battery, and using a donor battery with a higher voltage can cause permanent damage to the electrical systems.
Before attempting to jump-start your Harley, it is crucial to turn off the bike's ignition and inspect the battery and cables for any signs of damage or corrosion. Clean the terminals if necessary. If there are any issues, make sure to address and repair them before proceeding.
When jump-starting a Harley Davidson, it is recommended to use another motorcycle as the donor. However, if that is not possible, a car battery can also be used, as long as the car is turned off. When using a car battery, be aware that the voltage can increase to around 14.4V when the engine is running, which could be too high for your Harley.
To ensure a safe and successful jump-start, it is important to use the correct tools. You will need a set of jumper cables long enough to reach both batteries and in good condition. A portable jump box can also be used as an alternative to jumper cables.
By following these steps and ensuring the donor battery can generate 12V, you can safely jump-start your Harley Electra Glide and get back on the road.
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Jumpstart using another motorcycle or jump box
Jump-starting a Harley Davidson motorcycle is a common way to get it running when it has a drained battery. The process involves using another motorcycle or a jump box to transfer power to the dead battery. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to jump-start a Harley Electra Glide using another motorcycle or a jump box:
First, ensure that you have the necessary tools, including jumper cables and wrenches. Both the donor battery (the battery providing the charge) and the drained battery should be 12V batteries, as Harley Davidson motorcycles are equipped with 12V batteries. Using a donor battery with a higher voltage can cause permanent damage to the electrical systems and the battery itself.
Turn off both motorcycles and all electrical equipment. If the donor battery is from another motorcycle, you may need to remove the seats to access the batteries. Some batteries are located inside the frame under a battery cover. Connect the jumper cables carefully to the terminals of each battery. Start by connecting the positive terminal of the drained battery to the positive terminal of the donor battery using one jumper cable. Then, use another jumper cable to connect the negative terminal of the donor battery. Ensure that the negative cable does not touch or come close to the negative terminal of the drained battery, as this could cause an explosion and result in severe injuries or even death.
Keep the negative terminal and cable of the battery away from metal, chrome, and painted motorcycle parts to avoid damage and staining. Also, ensure that there are no flammable objects in the work area. Once the batteries are connected, the donor battery will transfer its power to the drained battery, providing enough charge to start the motorcycle.
Alternatively, you can use a jump box, which is a portable device designed to provide a jump start to a dead battery. Harley Davidson offers its own jump box, which can be modified to plug directly into the battery tender lead on your bike. There are also other options available on the market, such as the NOCO GB40 Boost Plus, which can be used to jump-start newer Harley motorcycles.
While jump-starting a Harley motorcycle is a convenient solution when you are on a ride and cannot access a mechanic, it is important to note that Harley Davidson does not recommend this practice as it can be dangerous and potentially cause permanent damage to the battery and electrical systems. Therefore, it is always best to regularly check the condition of your battery and keep it charged to prevent starting issues.
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Frequently asked questions
Check the brightness of the motorcycle's lights. Dim lights mean the battery is drained and must be recharged. If you have a volt or multimeter, you can use it to check the battery's voltage. It should be 12V.
You will need jumper cables and wrenches to remove the seat and access the battery. You will also need another motorcycle with a charged 12V battery, or a car battery, to jump-start your Harley.
First, turn off both motorcycles and remove the seats to access both batteries. Then, connect the positive terminals of the two batteries with a jumper cable. Next, use another jumper cable to connect one end to the negative terminal of the donor battery. Ensure that the other end of the cable does not touch or come close to the negative terminal of the drained battery, as this could cause an explosion. Keep any flammable objects away from the work area.
Yes, Harley Davidson offers a jump box that can be used to jump-start your motorcycle. You can also purchase a battery booster or a NOCO GB40 Boost Plus to jump-start your Harley in an emergency.
