Starting Problem - high pitched whine
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: DFW
Starting Problem - high pitched whine
Just started having a high pitched spinning noise when starting my bike the other day. Pressed the start button and bike was trying and made some noise and then a puff of black smoke came out of the a/c. Let go of the start button when thus happened. Pressed start button again and it started up.
Next day the high pitched spinning noise started, but the bike started. After work, tried starting it again and it "whined" a couple times (6x) before engaging and was able to ride home.
Looking for feedback as to what the problem might be. FYI - have not had chance to pull the primary cover to look at the starter area.
97 WG, newer (~ 4 years old / used ~ 2.5) All ***** Heavy Duty 1.6kw starter.
Next day the high pitched spinning noise started, but the bike started. After work, tried starting it again and it "whined" a couple times (6x) before engaging and was able to ride home.
Looking for feedback as to what the problem might be. FYI - have not had chance to pull the primary cover to look at the starter area.
97 WG, newer (~ 4 years old / used ~ 2.5) All ***** Heavy Duty 1.6kw starter.
Last edited by GREENOHAWK69; Sep 2, 2016 at 12:45 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,424
Likes: 2,483
From: Lititz Pa
sounds like a starter problem, maybe bad Bendix spring. If it is the starter very EZ to replace, just pull it out and put the new one in. When you buy one get the better ones with more starting power.
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,062
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From: Haslet Texas
FWIW I had an All ***** in mine but went back to OEM because it was always too noisy for me.
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,062
Likes: 4,547
From: Haslet Texas
If you ever hear that noise it's best to fix it soon or it could go out on you at a burger joint in the middle of nowhere. (Damn that was annoying!!!!)
Your problem is in the starter itself.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,054
Likes: 441
From: Tejas
Another possibility is the bolt for the jackshaft has come loose from the starter inside the primary.. Does what yours is doing also. Starter clutch would be next. Can be easily replaced instead of replacing the whole starter.
Griz
Griz
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,651
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From: DFW
Finally got a chance to look at the problem - pinion gear teeth are broken. Lots of "stuff" on the magnetic drain plug.
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Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,062
Likes: 4,547
From: Haslet Texas
When mine did that I had damage on the starter drive gear and the ring gear that is on the clutch hub.
Instead of buying a clutch hub I installed a Rivera Primo 10/84 set and everything has been working fine since.
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