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83 Fxr starter problem.

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Old Mar 25, 2018 | 07:06 PM
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Default 83 Fxr starter problem.

So I rode my harley about 100 miles on Thanksgiving. Then parked it for winter. ( I live in northern Maine) when it was somewhat warmer I tried starting up the bike and the jackshaft grabs the ring gear turns about twice then stops. If i relese the button and try it again it will do the same. I replaced both negative and positive cables, used a new 950 cca battery, replaced the solenoid contacts, new relay but it does the same thing. I benched tested the starter and the thing acts fine. The starter is an arrow head 2kw( high torque) which is about three years old. I've never had this problem before any suggestions?
 
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Old Mar 25, 2018 | 09:22 PM
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Ground... may not be on the Battery end!!
Never seen a 950cca battery for an FXR assuming [bad idea] you are Jumpering... May not get adequate connection that way.
The Starter on the Shovelheads is Marginal, so needs all the help it can get IMO.. Connections are Vital.
As an aside.. My EVO that is in the '83 Roller, is kinds Heavy compression... such that when it is Hot.. I need to Put into about 3rd gear and Bump Backwards sometimes, then Neutral and hit starter again, giving it a "running start.. Generally works ...
 
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Old Mar 25, 2018 | 11:38 PM
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Race called it , FXR's had issues with grounding due to the rubber mounts. Check the cables and clean the grounds. I ran an extra ground cable straight to the starter on my 82 FXR to get around that crap.
 
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Old Mar 26, 2018 | 07:36 AM
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Originally Posted by TwiZted Biker
FXR's had issues with grounding due to the rubber mounts.
FXR's had a braided ground strap from the frame to the primary...if it fails the starter doesn't work well.


 
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Old Mar 26, 2018 | 04:45 PM
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So I've cleaned all the grounds, took the starter out and sanded the metal on the primary, and still does the same thing. Im starting to think it's the starter it's about 3 years old. I even replaced the solenoid contacts. Now it will grab but not spin, or it will grab spin twice very sluggish and then stop. How long do starters last for?
 
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Old Mar 26, 2018 | 05:13 PM
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The one in my '83 is original equipment, and it sill will start an EVO with healthy Compression..

Entertain me; Put a Digital voltmeter accross the Battery terminals, record voltage
1] at rest
2] starter engaged..
 
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Old Mar 26, 2018 | 05:36 PM
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Old Mar 26, 2018 | 07:14 PM
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even if they are loose the ground strap under the bike center and that happens a lot the starting is way off the mark
 
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Old Mar 26, 2018 | 07:40 PM
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Originally Posted by johnjzjz
even if they are loose the ground strap under the bike center and that happens a lot the starting is way off the mark
what does that mean?
 
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Old Mar 26, 2018 | 08:16 PM
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don't really understand the Pics... But... 12.11 is a Dead Battery!!!
Starter engaged it needs to hold about 11v
remember
12.6 Volts+ is 100% Battery
12.3v is a 50% Battery
12.0v is completely and Positively Dead!!!
Never gonna start with a battery not 100%
in fact... gonna wreck what ya got..
and... I have Never had any luck jumpered... better jumpered to a battery than your Pick-up Truck tho... next you'll need a Voltage regulator..
 

Last edited by Racepres; Mar 26, 2018 at 08:17 PM.
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