Starter left me stranded
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 181
Likes: 1
From: Minnesnowta
Starter left me stranded
Last weekend I was just running a quick errand on my 98 FLHTC and when I came back to the bike, tried to start it but all I got was a "whirling" sound. So after several hours of messing with the bike and a free HOG membership tow, I got the bike back home. Looking up thru the derby cover I could clearly see that the pinion gear was spinning but not coming all the way out onto the ring gear. So I tore the starter out and took it to a shop that rebuilds starters and alternators. All the bushings, windings, and bearings looked and tested good, but the plunger in the solenoid needed replacement. So 65 bucks later I have my starter back and I put it on the bike. I inspect and clean the connectors and add a dab of dialectic grease. So now I test the starter, the pinion gear comes out and sits properly onto the ring gear but will not crank the engine. Now I'm thinking bad battery tho it is only 2 years old, so I hookup my 200 amp car charger to give it plenty of voltage and still it just comes out and sits on the ring gear and will not crank the motor. I'm stumped. Did I install the starter wrong onto the jackshaft? Or did install the pinion gear incorrectly? It all looks like it is working properly so I'm at a loss here. What else could it be?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,852
Likes: 2,493
From: Decatur, Alabama
Check to see if you have 12 volts right at the starter when you hit the button. If you do, you should be wired correctly and have a bad starter.
If not, you have something miswired.
If not, you have something miswired.
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 181
Likes: 1
From: Minnesnowta
I will check the voltage at the lead when I get home.
The guy at the starter repair shop said to try hooking up another battery, thinking I may have a bad cell or bad battery. I'll try that tonight
Last edited by Old-Evo; Sep 10, 2015 at 10:07 AM.
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
A friend of mine had the same problem.
Installed rebuilt starter and nothing.
Then he installed a new starter and it worked fine.
I have no idea why it worked out that way but it did.
Installed rebuilt starter and nothing.
Then he installed a new starter and it worked fine.
I have no idea why it worked out that way but it did.
I will check the voltage at the lead when I get home.
The guy at the starter repair shop said to try hooking up another battery, thinking I may have a bad cell or bad battery. I'll try that tonight
The guy at the starter repair shop said to try hooking up another battery, thinking I may have a bad cell or bad battery. I'll try that tonight
I'd be looking at the battery, the connections, and the ground strap.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,185
Likes: 2,134
From: W. Texas
Juice isn't getting to the windings in the starter to make it spin.
I'm betting it's in the starter.
Give the place a call that did the rebuild and ask for some help.
And resist the urge to jump start at 200 amps Thats a bit much
WP
I'm betting it's in the starter.
Give the place a call that did the rebuild and ask for some help.
And resist the urge to jump start at 200 amps Thats a bit much
WP
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,143
Likes: 12,706
From: South Carolina
The mechanical part of the solenoid is doing it`s job, because the pinion gear is being extended into the ring gear.
It may be that there is a problem with the electrical contacts inside the solenoid.
Disconnect the battery, pop off the end of the solenoid and take a look at the two electrical contacts and the plunger, make sure they are contacting properly when the solenoid plunger is extended.
It may be that there is a problem with the electrical contacts inside the solenoid.
Disconnect the battery, pop off the end of the solenoid and take a look at the two electrical contacts and the plunger, make sure they are contacting properly when the solenoid plunger is extended.
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Advanced
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 72
Likes: 12
From: Australia
Had this issue on my Heritage found it was the starter clutch, which is not in the starter motor, pinion would engage and not spin but the starter did
Part 36 in the attachment, hope this helps
On this webpage http://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche....KCASE-ASSEMBLY
Part 36 in the attachment, hope this helps
On this webpage http://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche....KCASE-ASSEMBLY
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,504
Likes: 150
From: ct
Assuming you don't hear anything spinning, Dan would be correct, solenoid is engaging, starter armature is not getting power to rotate via a faulty connection. Even if the armature is ready to **** the bed it usually will make a poor attempt at trying to turn the motor.