1979 flh-80
1979 flh-80
Got a starting problem. Turn it over starter just spins. Think it may be the gear broken off the armeture in the starter. Jumped the solenoid starter spins but bendix does not engage. would appreciate any ideas. ride safe everyone.
The two big posts
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,286
Likes: 64
From: SoCal
Okay.
You closed the circuit for the starter motor when you jumpered the big posts.
The starter motor did what it should, start running.
To operate the solenoid you would have to jumper from the longer of the two big posts (that should have the battery positive cable on it) to the small post. There will still be an arc even though it is lower amperage so don't mess up the threads if you do that.
That tests the solenoid but if pushing the button for your starter causes the motor to run then the solenoid is operating.
I'm thinking there is either a problem with your shift linkage inside the primary (yes, it is called shift linkage but it is for the gear engagement for the starter) or the bendix may have failed. I don't know what you know about the starter clutch (bendix) so I will tell you: it is a one way clutch, it spins free one direction and locks up the other. If you can turn the small starter gear either way easily it has failed.
DO NOT fiddle around in the primary with that linkage or the starter gear if the battery is still hooked up. Disconnect a battery cable first. If you move the shift linkage to engage the small starter gear with the ring gear on the clutch shell you will probably close the contacts for the starter motor and get your fingers chewed up when it starts running.
You closed the circuit for the starter motor when you jumpered the big posts.
The starter motor did what it should, start running.
To operate the solenoid you would have to jumper from the longer of the two big posts (that should have the battery positive cable on it) to the small post. There will still be an arc even though it is lower amperage so don't mess up the threads if you do that.
That tests the solenoid but if pushing the button for your starter causes the motor to run then the solenoid is operating.
I'm thinking there is either a problem with your shift linkage inside the primary (yes, it is called shift linkage but it is for the gear engagement for the starter) or the bendix may have failed. I don't know what you know about the starter clutch (bendix) so I will tell you: it is a one way clutch, it spins free one direction and locks up the other. If you can turn the small starter gear either way easily it has failed.
DO NOT fiddle around in the primary with that linkage or the starter gear if the battery is still hooked up. Disconnect a battery cable first. If you move the shift linkage to engage the small starter gear with the ring gear on the clutch shell you will probably close the contacts for the starter motor and get your fingers chewed up when it starts running.
Solenoid
I know about the battery. I was wrong about the the jumping. I will check that gear. Well i really appreciate you taking the time to get back to me on this. Hope I can help you sometime ride safe brother.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
