Starter/compensator issue???

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Nov 11, 2015 | 11:02 PM

kajunbrew

Thread Starter

Stage III

Joined: Mar 2009

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Starter/compensator issue???

Please help! I have an 08 Electra Glide and when I hit the starter, the starter engages and motor turns, but stalls and seems to turn backwards. On occasion backfires thru air cleaner.Put new battery and still same issue. WHEN it starts it runs great with no unusual noises. Loud cluck also. Suggestions? Many thanks!!

Bruce

Nov 11, 2015 | 11:22 PM

wscott

Road Warrior

Joined: Nov 2014

Posts: 1,962

Likes: 140

From: NY

Quote:

Originally Posted by kajunbrew

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As long as the battery is really brand new and been fulyl charged & passed a proper load test then it would seem you have a tired or bad starter (or starter drive/clutch) thats turning over the motor slow and or kicking back easily causing motor to spit/cough thru intake.

Also eems you have a a bad compensator too that would explain the loud CLUNK (*BANG) noise when trying to start the motor thats a classic sign of a bad compensator.

If the motor has had perf mods that increase compression that could be adding to starting issues too.

Scott

Nov 12, 2015 | 12:08 AM

mkguitar

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 14,744

Likes: 402

From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins

a motor always stops on the compression stroke...so when you try to start the motor it is at the highest point of resistance

when I start my Harleys, I flick the starter button.

this turns the motor either past top dead center, or it rebounds and the piston goes back down the bore.

either way when I next press and hold the starter button it can build some rotational momentum before encountering compression.

103 models have compression releases which solve that problem.

on my bikes I flick once, then press and hold.

except for the panhead

mike

Nov 12, 2015 | 02:29 AM

ke5rbd

Road Warrior

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 1,648

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From: Monroe, Louisiana

Quote:

Originally Posted by kajunbrew

Couple of things that might help. Hit the start button soon as you turn the ignition on sometimes will help, If you have a tuner you can reduce the cranking fuel some will also help sometimes. If just doing it when cold just reduce it by 3 in the temp area. If doing when hot or cold you can reduce the entire area 3 to 5. Be ware if you reduce too much it won't start one morning. It also may not want to start when hot if too lean either. The other thing is clean the IAC and Throttle blades as the problem you are having is too rich. If all that fails I would have the starter replaced or atleast the starter drive gear. It has a sprag clutch in it and sometimes it will slip and do same thing. Most of time cleaning and or reducing the starting fuel will help. If you have cams in it even more important to reduce cranking fuel.

Nov 12, 2015 | 05:14 AM

nevets61

Road Master

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 767

Likes: 54

From: San Antonio, TX

Its your comp...

Nov 12, 2015 | 05:21 AM

Notgrownup

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 24,765

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From: Snow Hill, NC

Quote:

Originally Posted by nevets61

Its your comp...

You beat me to it...put a SE or Baker compensator....I have been through 3 stock ones under warranty years ago on my 07 3 years on it now with the SE comp and no grind or kickback no mo.

Nov 12, 2015 | 07:52 AM

rezrider

Tourer

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 256

Likes: 7

From: Western NC

Went through the same thing last summer, put a on new compensator before it kills your starter and leaves you stranded. (ask me how I know). I put a SE comp on mine because the Baker comp was on a 4 week wait at the time.