The two most important tools you can buy are the service manual and parts books. These provide in depth guides and illustrations and schemetics that are extremely important in proper trouble shooting. If the engine isn't turning over, it is unlikely it is an ignition problem. If it is making a "whirring" sound it might be the starter clutch inside the starter. Time for some basic trouble shooting here. First, you need the service manual or a full copy of the schematics or you need to fully understand the starter circuit Second you need a fully charged serviceable battery. No guess work, make sure it is fully charged. Second, you will need a multi-meter analog or digital and last a piece of #10-12 guage wire that is fairly flexible about a foot long. We want to begin at the starter and work backwards. We need to determine if there is voltage at the solenoid and at the positive terminal of the starter. Use the mult-meter to measure and note the battery voltage then, check for voltage on the battery post of the starter. You should have full battery voltage with no or very little drop from the battery. Have an asistant press the starter switch while you test for voltage on the lead from the relay to the starter. It is the smaller of the two leads on the starter. If you do not get voltage then go to the starter relay and check it by using the meter or you can jump it to test. If the starter button is pressed and you hear a sound stop and listen to it. Is it a click, chatter, click type noise? Or a whirring screeching type noise from the starter? Or a sharp metallic grinding noise? Each of these indicate different problems. The click-chatter usually indicates a bad solenoid or bad contacts if the noise is from the starter area. If it is up by the seat or not easily located by ear, check the relay. The whirring-screeching noise usually means a toasty starter clutch which can be replaced. The loud sharp metallic grinding sound is usually a torn up ring gear or pinion gear. If you get no noise, click, boom or bang go to the relay and test it. Make sure you are getting voltage to the positive side of the normally open contact and when the starter button is pressed you get voltage on the coil contacts. If you do not get voltage to the relay, go to the starter switch and check for voltage across the kill switch. If you look at the schematic, you will see that there are multiple points that the starter circuit can be jumpered. The relay can be jumpered for example or the solenoid can be tested using a fairly heavy guage wire and jumping across the two terminals. Oh yeah, if you press the starter button and the voltage take a big dive and the starter and battery wires get hot, pull the starter as it probably is toast.




Source: Direct parts.com

 

When I hit the starter button - I get a spinning type of sound. Does not turn over at all. Just makes like a spinning noise ??? Any ideas

 

Give us an idea as to what you are working on, and we will give you our ideas on how to correct the issue...

 

Information that I got is possible solenoid problem. Bendex not working or engaging. Does that sounds like a possiblity ?

 

Read post #3.

 

Having similar issues with my 72 electra glide. clicks while trying to start. Haven't figured it out yet I'm far from a mechanic but I'll post when and if I figure it out. Any ideas will be most appreciated .

 

a very good write up.
however, not the end of the story as there are a few other things that can go wrong and actually have you chase ghost problems. while the FSM is a must, it does not really go into detail so source out a starter specific publication.
one point to consider is you can have voltage out the yangyang but current is lacking, ohm's law with the help of murphy's law.

 

[QUOTE=Jlocky42;16570258]When I hit the starter button - I get a spinning type of sound. Does not turn over at all. Just makes like a spinning noise ??? Any ideas[/QUOTE
Sounds like the starter drive usually a relatively simple repair.

 

You are responding to 3 year old question...

 

Sounds like the starter is not engaging into the flywheel.