Help!!! Starter issues w/ my 1985 FLHTC
#1
Help!!! Starter issues w/ my 1985 FLHTC
Can anyone give me some advice?
My bike will not turn over the engine consistently when its cold. The bike makes a whining noise out of the primary. The jack shaft engages the clutch basket, but the starter clutch gear just vibrates and does not usually turn over the engine. If I just hit the start button repeatably for a second at a time, it may drive a tiny bit. If I do this for a while it will generally start. When its warm it starts very well. Im not sure it actually moves the basket any more when warm, but the bike seems to like to run, and would start immediately when I push the button.
I have checked (ensured they are tight) all cables. If I short the solenoid to the battery I get the same thing. If I pull the spark plugs, it turns over consistently (also with 1 plug in).
I recently replaced the starter (with a $90 Drag Specialties...Hitachi I believe...it has 10mm nut on solenoid connection) which did not seam to have any effect.
I also replaced the battery, the starter, and the starter drive clutch gear for this issue. The starter relay quit a couple years ago was replaced at that time.
I also have replaced the stator and voltage regulator because the stator had a wire shorting to ground. I replaced the clutch basket pretty recently too, because the friction plates were worn, and after I tried to rebuild it, I found grooves in the basket. I replaced a blown head gasket a while back. The bike started fine for a quite while after all this work, but though I should include a history in case...
Im wondering if my old starter was too old and worn, and my new starter is too weak to turn over the engine. Is there a better, stronger starter I need to resolve this?...If so can some recommend a brand?
Summer is here...I just want to ride.
My bike will not turn over the engine consistently when its cold. The bike makes a whining noise out of the primary. The jack shaft engages the clutch basket, but the starter clutch gear just vibrates and does not usually turn over the engine. If I just hit the start button repeatably for a second at a time, it may drive a tiny bit. If I do this for a while it will generally start. When its warm it starts very well. Im not sure it actually moves the basket any more when warm, but the bike seems to like to run, and would start immediately when I push the button.
I have checked (ensured they are tight) all cables. If I short the solenoid to the battery I get the same thing. If I pull the spark plugs, it turns over consistently (also with 1 plug in).
I recently replaced the starter (with a $90 Drag Specialties...Hitachi I believe...it has 10mm nut on solenoid connection) which did not seam to have any effect.
I also replaced the battery, the starter, and the starter drive clutch gear for this issue. The starter relay quit a couple years ago was replaced at that time.
I also have replaced the stator and voltage regulator because the stator had a wire shorting to ground. I replaced the clutch basket pretty recently too, because the friction plates were worn, and after I tried to rebuild it, I found grooves in the basket. I replaced a blown head gasket a while back. The bike started fine for a quite while after all this work, but though I should include a history in case...
Im wondering if my old starter was too old and worn, and my new starter is too weak to turn over the engine. Is there a better, stronger starter I need to resolve this?...If so can some recommend a brand?
Summer is here...I just want to ride.
#2
Welcome from Connecticut, Hitachi is usually just fine, maybe a high torque from "all-*****" would help, maybe your new battery does not have enough cranking amps. Timing could be too far advanced also. Fwiw,when I start mine, I usually hold the start button about two seconds before she even starts to turn, that is on the compression stroke, but it starts quickly after she turns. I have Hitachi also.
Last edited by glidein wide; 04-30-2017 at 03:00 PM.
#3
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Can anyone give me some advice?
My bike will not turn over the engine consistently when its cold. The bike makes a whining noise out of the primary. The jack shaft engages the clutch basket, but the starter clutch gear just vibrates and does not usually turn over the engine. If I just hit the start button repeatably for a second at a time, it may drive a tiny bit. If I do this for a while it will generally start. When its warm it starts very well. Im not sure it actually moves the basket any more when warm, but the bike seems to like to run, and would start immediately when I push the button.
I have checked (ensured they are tight) all cables. If I short the solenoid to the battery I get the same thing. If I pull the spark plugs, it turns over consistently (also with 1 plug in).
My bike will not turn over the engine consistently when its cold. The bike makes a whining noise out of the primary. The jack shaft engages the clutch basket, but the starter clutch gear just vibrates and does not usually turn over the engine. If I just hit the start button repeatably for a second at a time, it may drive a tiny bit. If I do this for a while it will generally start. When its warm it starts very well. Im not sure it actually moves the basket any more when warm, but the bike seems to like to run, and would start immediately when I push the button.
I have checked (ensured they are tight) all cables. If I short the solenoid to the battery I get the same thing. If I pull the spark plugs, it turns over consistently (also with 1 plug in).
If you used too small a wire it won't carry enough amps to start the bike.
I wired in a starter relay on a friends '85 Super Glide to solve his not starting problems that sound a lot like yours.
#4
Now that's a decent first post Kudo's to ya
First thing that crossed my mind is to connect a volt meter to the battery.
Hit the start switch and note the voltage in the battery while your cranking.
If the voltage drops to 9volt or below the battery is marginal at best if not bad.
This test has served me well in most cases for years. Temp can affect a battery more than many think.
A little more info on the bike might be helpful. Mods and such as to compression. Is the bike stock??
Hitachi ain't a bad starter in my books
WP
Oh yea How cold is cold where your at
First thing that crossed my mind is to connect a volt meter to the battery.
Hit the start switch and note the voltage in the battery while your cranking.
If the voltage drops to 9volt or below the battery is marginal at best if not bad.
This test has served me well in most cases for years. Temp can affect a battery more than many think.
A little more info on the bike might be helpful. Mods and such as to compression. Is the bike stock??
Hitachi ain't a bad starter in my books
WP
Oh yea How cold is cold where your at
Last edited by WP50; 04-30-2017 at 06:15 PM.
#5
#6
#7
Same thing with the cables sizes, they are all the same ones as Ive been running for years, pretty thick gauge...
No mods on the motor...that Im aware of. Its pretty warm over here..even when its cold like 60s-90s it does the same thing. Ill put a volt meter on it tomorrow. I replaced the battery with a brand new one for this issue.
Im wondering if I have a compression issue...since it turns over so easy with (1) plug (or both) out...
1985 FLHTC ElectraGlide.
No mods on the motor...that Im aware of. Its pretty warm over here..even when its cold like 60s-90s it does the same thing. Ill put a volt meter on it tomorrow. I replaced the battery with a brand new one for this issue.
Im wondering if I have a compression issue...since it turns over so easy with (1) plug (or both) out...
1985 FLHTC ElectraGlide.
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#8
Maybe the armature in the starter is faulty. If one of the brushes are sitting on the bad spot it's not gonna want to hear it.. if there is a short in it, it will turn over no problem with out the plugs but put a load on it and forget about it,it's a possibility.
Last edited by glidein wide; 05-07-2017 at 06:55 AM.
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#9
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/evo-c...ded-click.html
WP