'90 fl w/127, put Ultima starter/solenoid in last year, great unit, no problems. Went on a ride, got a little wet, came home, decided to go for a ride later in the day, hit the switch and it spins but does not engage starter. No problems to this point, banged it a few times w/rubber mallet, maybe moisture caused plunger to bind up. Have tried about 15 times, spins freely, but does not engage starter, no grinding or anything like that. Thanks

 

Pull the solinoid apart file and clean her up then seal the thing up so moisture cant get in their.

 

Sounds like a plan, can't totally remember all of install, do I need to pull the primary cover and starter to pull the solenoid or can I pull it independently of starter but still have to remove primary cover ? Thanks

 

I'm not positive but it should come out easily without removing the starte. I would recomend sealing it up form the element appon re assambily. I did that with mine as I ride all year and got a crap load of water in the starter motor from the rain. The water killed my starter clutch.

 

Thanks.

 

If the starter is spinning, it is not the solenoid. The solenoid won`t put power to the starter until the pinion/jack shaft is extended and engages the ring gear.

Suspect the starter clutch.

 

You may be right, when I push the start button, or push the button on the end of the solenoid I get the whinning/spinning noise, in my simple mind I thought the solenoid spun ,throwing out a something causing the starter to engage something to spin over the engine... But it may very well be that the starter is spining but not engaging to spin the engine over, that being the case I probably need to remove the primary cover first off and see what I see and the possible remove the starter ? Thanks

 

My starter is making a click noise and I may get one turn on the motor and thats it???? Any ideas? It will only click and thats it. Its engaging the motor but sounds like it doesnt have the power to turn it over. I know its getting good power from the battery. Have tried to jump it as well. Same result. Any ideas?

 

A loud metallic sounding click... sounds like the solenoid is actuating, but the contacts are not making the electrical connection.

Check all the wires and cables to be sure they are not loose.

Before you remove the solenoid cover, be sure to disconnect the battery ( I know you know that, but I always say it...)

You can get a solenoid kit from Harley, but you can also remove the contacts and take them to a starter shop, they will probably have them.

 

Originally Posted by Dan89FLSTC
"If the starter is spinning, it is not the solenoid. The solenoid won`t put power to the starter until the pinion/jack shaft is extended and engages the ring gear.

Suspect the starter clutch"

I took the primary cover off and was able to get a good look at everything, when I hit the start button , I get the whine, the pinion gear comes out and appears to mesh w/the ring gear but that is it. Shouldn't the solenoid put power to the starter at this point to crank the engine over ? Since the starter is new, never had a problem till it got wet and I tried to start it later on in the day and had this issue, I believe my problem lies w/the solenoid, sound feasable ? Thanks