Weak starter or solenoid issue??
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1st Gear
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From: Illinois
Weak starter or solenoid issue??
I have an 86 fxstc and I have developed a starting issue. I had rebuilt the upper end and everything was staring well until I attempted to set the s&s carb and fouled the plugs. So after that I was attempting to start the bike and the starter quit working. I could hear a click when the starter button was engaged.
I began trouble shooting. The battery is charged, the solenoid has battery voltage at the incoming post, it has battery voltage from the relay to the little post when the starter button is pressed, and then battery voltage to the starter when the button is pressed.
I suspected the starter, I took it off and took it to the electric shop. It was looked at, load tested, and even dissembled and inspected and he said it looked good. After I reassembled the bike and went to try it, it turned over for a second.
So, figuring I still had some electrical bug I decided when I went to fully start the bike I would jump it from my truck, thinking if it was a low voltage issue that would prevent it. The starter turned over but it was weak. It did this a few times, now just a click again.
Any ideas where to start
I began trouble shooting. The battery is charged, the solenoid has battery voltage at the incoming post, it has battery voltage from the relay to the little post when the starter button is pressed, and then battery voltage to the starter when the button is pressed.
I suspected the starter, I took it off and took it to the electric shop. It was looked at, load tested, and even dissembled and inspected and he said it looked good. After I reassembled the bike and went to try it, it turned over for a second.
So, figuring I still had some electrical bug I decided when I went to fully start the bike I would jump it from my truck, thinking if it was a low voltage issue that would prevent it. The starter turned over but it was weak. It did this a few times, now just a click again.
Any ideas where to start
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Joined: Aug 2007
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From: NW AR
Ground cable is OK? All the connections are tight?
Try cleaning the solenoid. It will come apart and you can clean up the copper disk with some fine sand paper. Pretty easy to take off, as you don't have to pull the primary cover. Also consider a Dreaded Click 2nd relay mod. There's a sticky on one way to do it. I did mine a little different, but I haven't had a Dreaded Click event since. You can test for a Dreaded Click issue by jumping +12V directly to the solenoid pull in terminal. If it cranks fine then but not with the button, then that's your problem.
Try cleaning the solenoid. It will come apart and you can clean up the copper disk with some fine sand paper. Pretty easy to take off, as you don't have to pull the primary cover. Also consider a Dreaded Click 2nd relay mod. There's a sticky on one way to do it. I did mine a little different, but I haven't had a Dreaded Click event since. You can test for a Dreaded Click issue by jumping +12V directly to the solenoid pull in terminal. If it cranks fine then but not with the button, then that's your problem.
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1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2015
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From: Illinois
Weak starter or solenoid issue??
Well, I double checked the connections and it turned over for a second before stopping and just the clicking relay again. I attempted to jump 12v directly to the starter to no avail... Would the direct wired starter not spin if the solenoid was bad?
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From: TOAK western branch
Have you load tested the battery? If the battery and connections are solid and the relay is good than it could be the battery. By chance is the inner primary chrome and the starter chrome? The starter is body grounded. Some guys put an additional grounding cable directly to the starter. Still a few variables to figure out.
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From: Illinois
Weak starter or solenoid issue??
The inner primary is chrome but the starter isn't. It is grounded also to the transmission... I haven't load tested the battery yet but will do that tomorrow when I wake up. Then will clean the solenoid. I had replaced the solenoid with a new drag specialties one last year about this time for the precious late owner. The battery is just a little over a year old also...
Thanks for the help so far!
Thanks for the help so far!
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From: TOAK western branch
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Do as Dr Hess suggested "
Try cleaning the solenoid. It will come apart and you can clean up the copper disk with some fine sand paper. Pretty easy to take off, as you don't have to pull the primary cover." I've found that they get pitted pretty good. Back in the old days starters I was able to simply flip the disc over to get a fresh clean surface.
Try cleaning the solenoid. It will come apart and you can clean up the copper disk with some fine sand paper. Pretty easy to take off, as you don't have to pull the primary cover." I've found that they get pitted pretty good. Back in the old days starters I was able to simply flip the disc over to get a fresh clean surface.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
Do as Dr Hess suggested "
Try cleaning the solenoid. It will come apart and you can clean up the copper disk with some fine sand paper. Pretty easy to take off, as you don't have to pull the primary cover." I've found that they get pitted pretty good. Back in the old days starters I was able to simply flip the disc over to get a fresh clean surface.
Try cleaning the solenoid. It will come apart and you can clean up the copper disk with some fine sand paper. Pretty easy to take off, as you don't have to pull the primary cover." I've found that they get pitted pretty good. Back in the old days starters I was able to simply flip the disc over to get a fresh clean surface.
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