Sorry don't have any secrets but I would'nt waste time, Get it in for service

 

And check you haven't accidently hit the kill switch

 

It's likely a relay

Piece of cake. It's probably a bad 12v relay.

Just swap out the available relays until you ID the bad one. There are a few (4-5?) available (3+ behind the left-side pannel, another 1 or 2 under the tank).

If you find which one is bad, you can ride to the nearest auto store and pick up another one for about $6.

(Can you tell that I just went through this?)

Good luck.

 

Thanks guys. I will try the relay elimination process. I live 250 miles to the nearest dealer and like to do my own wrenching anyway. Yes, I did check the kill switch (been there done that) but the Rocket won't even turn over if the kill switch is in the off position.

 

By relay you mean fuse? Tell me more. I also have an 05 with a 15k, are these relays something that we/I should keep with the tool kit? I will go pull that panel tomorrow and take a look.

 

By relay you mean fuse?

No. Relays and fuses are very different electrical components. Relays are devices containing an electromagnetic coil and some contacts that the electromagnet can pull closed, allowing a small amount of current (such as the output of a control line from the ECU, or the starter button on the handlebar) to switch a larger current on or off, on command.

Physically, the ones you'll find in a motor vehicle tend to be rectangular plastic boxes with pins on the base, which fit into sockets.

are these relays something that we/I should keep with the tool kit?

You can if you like, but there's really not much point unless you're away from civilization a lot. They're pretty dependable on average, and as R3T Convert said, most types are widely available at automotive stores.

 

Thanks again R3T Convert. Did some relay swapping last night and Walla!, she fired right up. Went to the parts house and got a new one this morning.

 

Glad I could help. Sometimes we just don't need the dealer!

 

Glad that fixed your problem.
Also be aware that it could have been you ignition switch,
some have been known to go out.
We tore one open at Maggie Valley and resoldered it in May.
fixed the brothers problem.

 

It's Only Speculation

My 05 has an intermittent issue with the key switch. If the little lights on the guages don't light up momentarily when the key is turned and the electronics cycle through, my bike won't start although it will turn over.

So, a couple more turns of the key, and whella, the lights illuminate momentarily, and I know it's gonna start.

Cheers !!!

 

More Rocket III won't start

A lot of these symptons sound sourt of familiar, but not quite. So, I'm asking again to see if there's a different answer or technique I can try for my case.

The bike is a 2007 and has always run smoothly until now. There is some chance I'm dealing with bad gas.

Anyway the bike started one day, but was running really rough. Eventually, it stalled out and could not be restarted.

I replaced the plugs and the gas (siphoned out as much of the old as I could, and put in new premiunm), and added some injector cleaner to the mix. Now, the engine will start and run smoothly for about 30 - 40 seconds on one relatively small shot of starter fluid in the air intake.

Other than that, the starter will crank the engine energetically and I can smell gas fumes coming out of the exhaust. But, the bike still won't start. (I checked all the fuses, they're good.)

I disconnected the battery for about 15 minutes, hoping electronics would reset. That didn't work.

If I can't come up with a shadetree answer, I guess I'll have to call the dealer to see if they can trailer it into the shop.

In the meantime, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Dave

 

Have you checked the fuel filter yet? Sounds like the engine is just not getting fuel.

 

Thanks for the reply, Ugarte,

Unfortunately, you flushed my total ignorance. Please, tell me where the fuel filter is locted/how to get to it. It looks to as if the fuel line goes straight from the rear, right, bottom of the tank to the injector rail.

That means there must be a heck of a lot going on inside the tank. There is something mounted on the centerline bottom of the tank with wires and such connected to it. Is that where I go next?


Thanks again,
Dave

 

That means there must be a heck of a lot going on inside the tank. There is something mounted on the centerline bottom of the tank with wires and such connected to it. Is that where I go next?

The fuel pump, filter, and pressure regulator are located inside the tank. You will need to remove the tank, then remove the fuel pump mounting place which is what your are referring to with the wires and such. I would recommend getting a manual to do this properly.

The fuel filter/pump may not be the problem but it sures seems to me that if your bike runs fine with a shot of starter fluid in the intake, that is where I would go next. You suspect bad gas and it may have clogged things up.

 

Thanks, Ugarte! Any tips on where to get a manual? My web searches been less than satisfactory. Um, gee, maybe the dealer will sell me one?

I always do things the hard way.

Dave

 

Here is one place to get a manual, type in "manual" in search and it should bring up the manual:

bikebandit.com

 

Thanks

It did bring up manuals. I'll probably order one. But, I'm taking the path of "disgression" and taking the bike to a dealer to fix.

Thanks again.

Dave

 

Did you ever figure out your problem getting it started?I have 06 Rocket three and when I Crank it over it Don't sound like it's turning over right and it won't start Sometimes it back fires.