1990 FXR starter trouble
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2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 6
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From: Baltimore
1990 FXR starter trouble
Sorry if asked and answered 1000 times already, BUT, bike began not starting reliably when pressing starter button 2 weeks ago. Press button....nothing happens. Press it again, maybe again, it starts. Problem got much worse in a day of riding a week ago. Noticed can hear a single click at the starter when button is pressed. Battery checks out ok. Starter relay switch is ok too. Bike has 55,000 miles on it.
What is the problem or where should I start replacing parts? Replace solenoid? Replace entire starter?
Presuming someone is willing to give me some advice, can anyone tell me where to find instructions to make the repair? The original manual isnt adequate for a mechanically inclined guy with little engine mechanics experience.
Thanks in advance!
What is the problem or where should I start replacing parts? Replace solenoid? Replace entire starter?
Presuming someone is willing to give me some advice, can anyone tell me where to find instructions to make the repair? The original manual isnt adequate for a mechanically inclined guy with little engine mechanics experience.
Thanks in advance!
Last edited by Insureguy; Sep 5, 2011 at 06:12 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 18,575
Likes: 4
From: Norfolk, VA
Sorry if asked and answered 1000 times already, BUT, bike began not starting reliably when pressing starter button 2 weeks ago. Press button....nothing happens. Press it again, maybe again, it starts. Problem got much worse in a day of riding a week ago. Noticed can hear a single click at the starter when button is pressed. Battery checks out ok. Starter relay switch is ok too. Bike has 55,000 miles on it.
What is the problem or where should I start replacing parts? Replace solenoid? Replace entire starter?
Presuming someone is willing to give me some advice, can anyone tell me where to find instructions to make the repair? The original manual isnt adequate for a mechanically inclined guy with little engine mechanics experience.
Thanks in advance!
What is the problem or where should I start replacing parts? Replace solenoid? Replace entire starter?
Presuming someone is willing to give me some advice, can anyone tell me where to find instructions to make the repair? The original manual isnt adequate for a mechanically inclined guy with little engine mechanics experience.
Thanks in advance!
To remove the starter you have to remove the primary cover and then remove the starter gear from the starter shaft....There are 2 Allen head bolts that fix the starter to the inner primary cover and with a flashlight you can peer in from the R/H side of the bike just below the oil tank to see them...
It's not difficult at all...If I can do it, a chimpanzee can!!
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,062
Likes: 4,547
From: Haslet Texas
Good Luck
If you don't have one a shop manual would help a lot.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,918
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From: Hill Country, TX
If he has a 1990 FXR, then he has a wet clutch. The only dry clutch Evo powered FXRs were in early 1984.
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2nd Gear
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 684
Likes: 9
From: Indian Head, PA
I ran into a similar problem with my 90 FLTC and the thread you want to read is the one with "clicky starter" in the title. What happens is that over time, the solenoid contacts become dirty and pitted, as well as worn away. Compounding this is the resistance increases that build up in the solenoid coil, wires and connectors meaning less voltage and not as strong of a pull on the solenoid plunger.
First fix I would say would be disconnect the battery, then open the solenoid on top of the starter and clean the contacts and plunger really well(be warned there might be a ball bearing that tries to come out of the solenoid housing when you pull the plunger, just catch it and stick it back in the hole). Add a little dielectric grease and put it all back together. You also want to clean all the connectors you can find associated with the starter, both small gauge and large gauge battery cables as well. Clean the connectors and add some dielectric grease. Reconnect the battery and make sure the terminals are clean and tight and you should notice a big difference.
If you still get the clicky starter, the thread I mentioned above has info about adding a piggybacked starter relay to feed the solenoid coil more voltage, allowing it to engage the starter more easily. I will go see if I can find that thread and link it for you...
First fix I would say would be disconnect the battery, then open the solenoid on top of the starter and clean the contacts and plunger really well(be warned there might be a ball bearing that tries to come out of the solenoid housing when you pull the plunger, just catch it and stick it back in the hole). Add a little dielectric grease and put it all back together. You also want to clean all the connectors you can find associated with the starter, both small gauge and large gauge battery cables as well. Clean the connectors and add some dielectric grease. Reconnect the battery and make sure the terminals are clean and tight and you should notice a big difference.
If you still get the clicky starter, the thread I mentioned above has info about adding a piggybacked starter relay to feed the solenoid coil more voltage, allowing it to engage the starter more easily. I will go see if I can find that thread and link it for you...
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 684
Likes: 9
From: Indian Head, PA
I was wrong about the title of the thread, but here it is: https://www.hdforums.com/forum/evo-c...ghlight=clicky
This will be a good read for you with lots of useful info about your current situation, most without removing the starter! LOL!
This will be a good read for you with lots of useful info about your current situation, most without removing the starter! LOL!