1993 super glide wont start unless wire is run straight to battery why?

SOURCE: Starter dragging problem

You added an extra ground but did nothing with the positive cable. It's time to replace that one, possibly using better quality cable then stock.

SOURCE: Starter dragging problem

Two things come to mind, other than an internal problem with the starter. Diconnect the battery and take the small cover off the solenoid. pull the plunger and spring out and check the 2 internal contacts and the copper washer on the plunger for a badly burned or worn condition. Rebuild kits are available for some models. If not, you can dress up the contacts and the washer. Push the plunger in by hand and see that it hits both contacts at the same time.
Another possibility is the starter clutch. Usually when these fail the starter spins without turning the engine over, but I have seen them cause the symptom you described. Replacement involves removing the starter and dissasembly of the drive end of the starter, but since you were savvy enough to take the initial steps you mentioned, I know you can handle it.

SOURCE: 2002 Dyna wide glide. Will not IDLE

not running for a year! You have a varnish buildup in the low end circuit of the carb. You will need to remove the carb and do a full teardown of the carb to properly rectify this problem. SOMETIMES we are able to free up the passages by putting SEA FOAM cleaner in the tank , fill her up with fresh fuel and ride through the tank and it will clear up. SEA FOAM can be purchased at an auto parts store and is sometimes very effective. 1/4 cup to full tank fuel.

SOURCE: 2009 Dyna Super Glide Custom starting problems:

Does the start quit turning or does it continue to sound like it's turning? If the starter quits turning, I'd suspect the battery. Take it out and have it tested. Usually no charge for this service at most any auto parts house.

If the starter sounds like it's still turning but the engine isn't, that's an indication that the "starter clutch" is bad inside the starter. This is the "one way bearing" unit that turns the engine to start it but then freewheels when the engine starts. I've seen many of them go bad. If the bike is still under warranty, take it back to the dealer before the warranty runs out. At least have a documented complaint of the problem within the warranty period. That way, if the warranty runs out you may can still get it fixed under the warranty.

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SOURCE: bike wont start replace start solenoid.when

You didn't mention what year model your bike is so I'll just generalize my response. Since you said that you replaced the solenoid, I'll assume that your bike is a 1988 model or earlier.

Your bike has a starter relay if it still has the stock wiring on it. Harley has used a starter relay since 1965 on the first model of ElectraGlide. Usually, it's underneath the battery tray or the seat or around that area.

On the back of your solenoid, you have three wire connections. Two very large connectors and one small connector. Make sure your bike is out of gear (in neutral) and use an old screwdriver to short between the large connector that comes from the battery and the small wire connection. The starter should engage and try to start the engine. If the ignition switch is on, it will start the engine. The starter will turn using this method with or without the switch being in the "on" position. If the starter works using this method, the problem is in either the relay or the neutral switch. If the starter does not turn the engine over, the problem is in the solenoid.

Now, let's check a few things. The small connector on the back of the solenoid should have a green or pink (depending on year) wire on it. Using a voltmeter or a test light, make sure you have voltage at the connector when you press the starter button with the switch in the "ON' position. If not, follow the wire to it's source, the relay.

The starter relay can be one of several different designs used throughout the years. It could be a small plastic cube, a small metal can, or a round phonelic relay. The relay should have four connections on it. A "hot" wire, a wire from the handlebar switch, the wire going to the starter, and a ground. The ground may be through the case itself. On the older Shovelhead bikes (1984 and earlier) there was a small short black wire that ran from the starter relay to the transmission for the ground. This wire must be intact or the relay would not work due to lack of a ground.

When you turn the switch on, one of the wires to the starter relay should become "hot". When you press the start button, you should hear a slight click and another of the smaller wires should now be "hot" as well, the one going to the starter.

On some year (1972 and later) models, the neutral switch was wired in with the starter relay. This was to prevent the bike from starting while "in gear" by disabling the relay. You'll have to figure this one out for yourself since I don't know what year model your bike is.

Now, you said you had power to the solenoid when you pushed the starter switch. So, let's assume that the starter failed the first test to told you aboue. If so, the problem is still most likely in the solenoid. Inside the solenoid, there is a large plunger with a copper disc on it. When you depress the starter switch, the coil in the solenoid becomes magnetized and pulls the plunger towards the back of the solenoid. This does two things, it engages the starter drive with the ring gear on the outer clutch drum and makes a high current electrical connection. The copper disc makes contact between the two large connections on the back of the solenoid from the inside. This connects the battery to the starter motor through the solenoid. If the black phonelic plate on the back of the solenoid is cracked or the contacts inside of it are badly burned, it will not work.

Now, if the solenoid is working correctly and you are getting voltage to your starter, it could be the brushes or something inside the starter. This is indicated if the starter trys to turn the engine over but just can't. It won't have enough power if the starter field windings are bad.

I hope I've given you something here that will help you solve your problem. This is basically the electrical part of the starter system. There are mechanical parts as well. If you hear the starter turning but the engine doesn't turn over, you have a mechanical problem. You can either repost or you can contact me directly at [email protected] I'll help if I can. Good Luck!