Why won't it start?

I'm having a frustrating time with an electrical/starter problem. I have had some problems with starting. During cold starts I occasionally get only the "click" from the starter engaging but nothing else. It's one of those problems that comes and goes so it has been hard to diagnose. So I come to this community with a humble heart seeking help. Apparently the 24 year old mechanic at the dealership where I finally took it couldn't solve it either. Quick facts: 94 'Softail Evo w/ S&S super E. In the last year I have replaced/rebuilt the battery, battery cables, starter relay, fuses, and carburetor in an effort to solve this problem.

Could be the starter drive is on the way out,or perhaps the solenoid is sticking. How long has it been doing it??

That was my next move to buy and install a solenoid switch to bypass the wiring. I appreciate the posts. I have owned and worked on this bike since 2001 and nothing is more frustrating than electrical problems. Especially when you give in and take it to a dealership, pay $80.00 an hour and find out they haven't really fixed the problem. I am new to posting here but have been a reader for awhile and know that the regulars on here know their stuff.

I had the same problem with my '95 Fat Boy after I had taken the primary off for something and it will drive a guy up the wall trying to get the starter to engage and turn the engine over EVERY time not just sometimes.
After I replaced the battery, starter, jackshaft,relay etc. I finally put a push button switch on the solonoid ... problem solved! Now if the handlebar switch doesn't work I have the option to just reach under the oil tank and push the button. Has not failed me yet. Wish I had done that before replacing everything else in the circuit first $$$.
Good luck.

Cowboy,

That's interesting since that is the same thing I did. I took the whole primary off to replace all of the seals and gaskets. I never thought about it until now but that's when this problem started popping up. I wonder what in the world causes that. I have been to three different mechanics in the last year and a half and none of them have been able to properly diagnose the problem. I'll let you know the results once I mount one of the solenoid buttons on.
thanks

hey, know what you mean. Have a 94 fxdwg with 110,000 miles and 2 years ago it started doing the clicking thing. Turned out to be the solinoid making the click. Put in all new parts and to this day sometimes when I hit the start button it just goes "click". So my fix so far was to take a drill and put a little hole in the end cover of the solinoid on the right side of the bike. Now when I hit the button and it goes "click" I just reach my right hand down with a pen or my leatherman and wilst I push the button with my left hand I insert the pen in the hole which gives the end of the solinoid a boost and the bike starts great. It does not do this every time, might happen twice in a row and sometimes it works great for a week or two.

I had this "clicking" problem with my 75 sportty,I was checking voltage at the solenoid,and found out I wasn't getting the voltage to the starter,with the starter button pushed in.I jumped the starter right from the battery terminal on the solenoid,it cranked.I checked the starter button,and had a connection there.I replaced my starter solenoid,and the problem was corrected...Hope you find your problem...Al

I replaced the jackshaft with an aftermarket piece and put a plunger on the solenoid. I still got the clicking when I used the starter button, but when I used the plunger it fired right up. I guess it's time to think about getting a new starter. . .

Oh yeah, and bought yet another new battery. This one I had load tested right out of the box to make sure I wasn't buying a heavy paper weight.

The whole clicking thing started 2 years ago in Sturgis. When I got home the first thing checked was the wiring harness and the start switch was replaced. Problem persisted and she got sick of pushing and being start for me. Thats when the hole was drilled allowing a pen to become a plunger button for me and has worked without fail ever since. The only iffy thing about this is as a result of this she got her cycle endorsement now and claims the fxr as "hers". So much for the spare bike rule