Average lifespan of a starter?
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 386
Likes: 6
From: Huntsville, AL
Average lifespan of a starter?
Was wondering what's the average lifespan for a starter? I've got an '03 Fatboy and the starter just went out on me. I've had the bike for 5 years and 50,000 miles.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
RE: Average lifespan of a starter?
Many Many variables but it should go further than 5/50. One big killer can be weak battery or bad sparkplugs.......or someone like my wife grinding the f&%$#ng thing to death...
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
RE: Average lifespan of a starter?
ORIGINAL: xxxflhrci
Did the starter go bad or were your solenoid contacts just worn out?
Did the starter go bad or were your solenoid contacts just worn out?
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 386
Likes: 6
From: Huntsville, AL
RE: Average lifespan of a starter?
I had it picked up by the local stealer. They did a diagnostic on it and tell me it's the starter motor and they need to replace it.
When I tried to start it, it gave off a vacuum-like, whirring sound.
When I tried to start it, it gave off a vacuum-like, whirring sound.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
Likes: 29
RE: Average lifespan of a starter?
If the starter was spinning, which is what gives off that sound, you do not need to replace the whole starter. You only need to replace the starter drive clutch.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=370022435006
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=370022435006
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
RE: Average lifespan of a starter?
I've never had a starter go out, except a starter clutch on a '95 Dyna, but that was a common problem with that year model and some '96's. My last bike ('96 RK) now has 114k on it with the original starter, and no problems with the starter clutch either.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Baton Rouge, LA
RE: Average lifespan of a starter?
ORIGINAL: bfrmbama
When I tried to start it, it gave off a vacuum-like, whirring sound.
When I tried to start it, it gave off a vacuum-like, whirring sound.
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Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 386
Likes: 6
From: Huntsville, AL
RE: Average lifespan of a starter?
ORIGINAL: iclick
Hope they didn't rip you off for a new starter.
Hope they didn't rip you off for a new starter.
When I put the bike in the shop, I asked them if it could be something other than the whole starter and they said they would do a diagnostic on it to see. They called me latter that day and saidthe starter would need to be replaced.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: Northern MD
RE: Average lifespan of a starter?
Ask them if you can have the old starter back. You're entitled to it. See what they say. Sure sounds like it was just the solenoid. Might even tell them you're going to test it or have someone check it out. If nothing else, they may adjust the price down. Good luck.