Hitchcocks Forum

Good evening Gents and girls if there are any out there.

I arrived home from work earlier today sun was shining bright I new it was time
to unwrap the Electra from the cold winter gave it a wash and a polish,
got my gear on and as I sat on her popped the key in and NOTHING.


The lights came on but no ticking so I suspect it was the fuel pump or a cable connected.

I disconnected every cable and connection and then checked for good connection and all seemed
fine.

Has anyone got an ideas? I hope it’s not the fuel pump ☹️

2013 Electra EFI all standard apart from mr H’s old school seat.

Foz: I would check the battery, take it to an authorized dealer to load-test it. Sometimes the lights might work even with a sick battery. You could try tapping the starter gently with the handle of a hammer or large wooden stick. Check that all earth connections are clean and tight. If all else fails, light a small fire under it and go down to the pub.

Cheers Leon, I’ve checked all the connections including the earths.


The starter motor is working and turning over there is just no ticking which I use to get on startup?

I would assume the initial noise is the pump priming the injector?

Check the connection going into the clutch lever part, make sure it's pushed in all the way, I think a combination of 3 wires and I remember one being green. If not that, it's the battery.

Flat battery?

Hi guys ( & gals !!)------- You say the starter motor is working OK ??......If that's the case then there's nowt wrong with the battery...........Is there a fuse that protects the fuel pump ??....Is that blown ??

Could still be the battery, not enough oomph to energises the electronics.

Battery has been on the trickle charge since December 24th could it still be the battery?

Also I’m gona change all the fuses as suggested they look fine no visible brakes on the wire

Foz it could VERY much still be the battery. (I have had a similar "disaster" in the past. I have not left a battery on continuous charge (Unimate) every since.)

Hi Foz, with the ignition on and the bike in neutral or clutch pulled in you should hear the fuel pump prime for a few seconds. If the starter motor is working and happily turning the engine over I think it would be safe to say there is enough power to engage the fuel pump. If you cannot hear this pump priming it would be worth checking the power relay and injector + fuel pump relay are firmly pushed into position, its also not uncommon for these relays to break down and need replacing. Its also worth confirming that you have not left the side stand down on the bike and trying to start it as this will prevent the bike from starting, its quick and easy to disconnect the connector for this just to rule out a sticking switch.