Electric start problem
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6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
From: Redstone, CO
Electric start problem
I just replaced the starter relay and the solenoid on my 79 FXE because my electric start didn't work. For the first few times, it worked great, but now all of a sudden, it sticks and won't quit cranking until I disconnect the battery! I lost spark at the same time this problem started so it just cranks and won't start. I took out the starter shaft and checked all gears for wear and everything seems fine. For some reason, the new solenoid won't disengage until power is cut off. Turning off the key doesn't do it, it has to be the battery. What happened?????
Also, where did my spark go? No spark at the points (I dumped the electronic ignition years ago) or plugs and when I test the coil the way my shop manual describes, it has 12 volts coming out of it when not running.
Thanks for any ideas, I'm stumped by both electric problems.
Also, where did my spark go? No spark at the points (I dumped the electronic ignition years ago) or plugs and when I test the coil the way my shop manual describes, it has 12 volts coming out of it when not running.
Thanks for any ideas, I'm stumped by both electric problems.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 39
From: NW Florida
The sticking solenoid is usually caused by a weak battery. You may have to disassemble the solenoid and reverse the contact plate if it is heavily pitted from sticking. If you are sure your coil is good, change the condensor. A weak or bad condensor will cause the no spark condition.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 365
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
You may want to check your wires. This summer my
my electric start, started turning over by itself. It
would not quit. I had to pull the battery out to get it to stop.
Problem turned out to be, 2 wires had worn through
the insulation. It easy to check the wires before
moving on to harder things. Hope your problem turns
out to be an easy fix.
1980 wideglide
my electric start, started turning over by itself. It
would not quit. I had to pull the battery out to get it to stop.
Problem turned out to be, 2 wires had worn through
the insulation. It easy to check the wires before
moving on to harder things. Hope your problem turns
out to be an easy fix.
1980 wideglide
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
From: Redstone, CO
Thanks
The solenoid is new but that does not guarantee that there is nothing wrong with it. The battery is also new and fully charged. I got it running somewhere between re-recharging the battery, cleaning all electric connections, resetting the points, and bypassing a tempermental on/off switch on the handlebars. The starter still sticks but will disengage when I kick the solenoid multiple times with my boot heel. I will mess with how the solenoid is mounted or order another new one.
The electric start has been unreliable for many years. I only started messing with it because the kickstarter jammed when it backfired and broke a tooth off the gear. Fixing that is definitely my next priority! I always preferred that anyway because none of the penny loafer crowd on their brand new Harleys here in Aspen would know what to do with it. Heck, they can't even turn around without going around the block, much less start their machines without a button!
Thanks for the replies.
The electric start has been unreliable for many years. I only started messing with it because the kickstarter jammed when it backfired and broke a tooth off the gear. Fixing that is definitely my next priority! I always preferred that anyway because none of the penny loafer crowd on their brand new Harleys here in Aspen would know what to do with it. Heck, they can't even turn around without going around the block, much less start their machines without a button!
Thanks for the replies.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 39
From: NW Florida
Its mentioned in the manual but I'll restate it here. When you install the new or reassemble the Starter Drive Gear (bendix gear) on the starter shaft DO NOT use grease or oil on the the shaft where the gear rides or it will stick.
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 39
From: NW Florida
The book says no lubrication. I made the mistake of putting a small amount of light grease on it once and sure enough it stuck. Neverseize is a graphite grease. It gets a little lub from the oil flying around in the primary and evidently thats enough.
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