Rubbermount_EFI nighster wont start (check side stand on display)

[Wijnings]

Hi i'm new to this forum and I have a 08 nightster

few days ago i put my bike in the garage for the night next day i cant get it started again.
starter makes a metallic rattling noise and the display says check side stand,
i've tried recharging the battery and i've tried;
(all in neutral)
clutch engaged jiffy down
clutch disengaged jiffy down
no clutch jiffy down
no clutch jiffy up
still nothing.......... can it be that the side stand switch is broken?

[Bob F]

I see it's your first post. Hello from Pittsburgh and welcome to the XLForum.

Could be a bad Jiffy stand switch. 2008 should be still under warranty.

[krono]

you tried jiffy up, clutch in, neutral gear?

[Screw Loose Dan]

I'll preface everything I'm about to say with I have never worked on a bike with a jiffy stand switch. They only come on International versions. I have looked at the schematics and read threads on here about it, that's all.

Interesting that the starter makes a "rattling" noise. Are you sure it's the starter? I *thought* the jiffy stand switch disabled the starter, so if the jiffy stand switch was what was causing the issue if shouldn't be the starter.

I also believe the jiffy stand switch can simply be unplugged to "disable" it's function. But, again I'm not 100% certain on that as I haven't personally tried it.

I will also state my normal default answer to any electrical problem on an EFI Sportster, check the condition of your system and starter relays. This has probably caused more problems than anything else for EFI owners. Starting in 2010 it appears Harley may have resolved the issue. But, if you remove the relays and notice any corrosion - just replace them. For troubleshooting purposes, you can try swapping the two relays as they are identical (and the symptoms of the problem will likely change).

[screech69]

Are the battery terminal connections tight!

[krono]

Interesting that the starter makes a "rattling" noise.

yes, I have a international xl 1200 c, and does exactly that when you try to start with jiffy down and 1st gear, or 1st gear and no clutch

there is a senson on the jiffy and a sensor on the clutch lever

I also believe the jiffy stand switch can simply be unplugged to "disable" it's function.

yup, mine is disabled, was more trouble than safety, I dont know how to unplug it because it was done @ dealer

[Screw Loose Dan]

Kono - Do you means the starter rattled when trying to start it in one of those "unsafe" conditions?

Here's a picture from the manual on the wiring (thanks to Sportytrace for the picture):

[dabronco]

All these systems that are installed to protect us from our own stupidity are nothing but trouble. If it was my bike I would disable every damn interlock on the bike. Oh, and I have to turn my own gas on too!

[krono]

well, I still have those things on my bike, I dont know what mod did the guys at the shop, but I got lost of that "feature"
also, i.e if you drop the jiffy and are in 1st gear, the engine will shut down and will show a message on screen, etc

[philidor1958]

I did not know their was a jiffy stand switch. Many mornings when the kids are waiting on the bus I put my bike in neutral crank it and let it warm up a bit before I do my morning ride. The cold weather wakes me up and encourages me to have another pot of coffee.