Before you say anything, yes, I'm quite aware this is the ROAD STAR Clinic... ...just hoping that some of you that have owned other brands of cycles might have a little knowledge for me.

My boss has a 2003 Indian Scout, and he is not a wrench (oh, yeah, like I am... ) and has no access to any sort of tools. Anyway, he asked me for some help, so I'm turning to the Brain Trust here.

His bike, all of a sudden, wouldn't start. He says when the ignition is turned on, all electrical features come on, but when he tries to start it, all he hears is a faint click, and he says it sounds like the starter relay. No trying to turn over, no slow turn like a dying battery...nada. But he can push start it and it rides fine...he just can't stop until he's at final destination.

My first guess would be loose ground wire on the starter, maybe solenoid...could be a lot of things, but it's almost assuredly electrical. I'm going to try and find wiring diagrams on the Web tonight to study up, as he's bringing the bike over to the house tomorrow to see if we can make it go vroom again without any huffing and puffing.

Any and all ideas and input are welcomed and, as always, thanks in advance...
RK

Take the starter off the bike and bench test it.

I guess the logical order would be:

- fuses
- battery - it could be low enough to turn the electrical on but too low to turn the starter.
- starter - if you jump the positive from the battery to the starter that should tell you if it's the starter
- relays - you'll need to test them out. Can't help you there. Hopefully he has a service manual so he can find out how to test them.

Doc

In 2003 , they were not much more than a Harley with different tins, so most "things" you might look for on a Harley apply. Loose ground, bad starter switch, low battery. I'm surprised some of our previous Harley owners haven't jumped in here with some good advice.BB

Big Bear wrote:
In 2003 , they were not much more than a Harley with different tins, so most "things" you might look for on a Harley apply.

they´re actually S&S motors (MUCH better ) but common things do apply.

my mate with the night train (see the possible future convert thread) had the same problem.

go to the electrics box, and there will be a 5 pin relay in there. thats the starter relay. hold it and touch the button (no high voltages, so don´t worry). if that is where the click comes from, that may well be where the problem is. check by finding the live feed into the connector on the relay, and ensuring the bike is out of gear and no-one is near any spinning pieces, bridge the connection to the starter motor in the same connector with a piece of insulated wire (DO NOT connect to the main power feed to the starter from the battery. the line out of the relay will be the same colour as the single small gauge wire leaving the black plastic connector on the starter) , and the starter should spin. if it does, the relay is shagged.

if not, time to look elsewhere<br><br>Post edited by: erizo, at: 2007/06/09 07:29

I'll guess it's the battery.
Let us know what you find.

hi might be to late to help- You should get a test light or better a cheap multie meter,check battery voltage at battery terminals,or brite test light,not at the bat cables turn key and head light on-should be same voltage or test light brigtness,press starter, volts /light should be much the same under 10volts battery u/s.now try at the bat cables,should be same as before,if not theres your problem.go to starter relay check volts at small wire from starter s/w press s/w ok, check volt/lite at bat cable side starter relay under 10 back to batt,starter side of relay check v/lite,a low v/lite prob relay,to cable on starter motor should be good ,got jumper leads? batt + to starter motor cable,should go.find engine bolt out of sight might arc,connect jumper there and to neg bat terminal press starter s/w if it goes bad earth,
John

Thanks to everyone who replied! You guys are always great help! We've had rain on &amp; off here for the last few days...and even dime-sized hail tonight!

If tomorrow's clear, he's bringing the bike over, and your info will be put to good use.

Thanks again--

RK