Heres the run down...one day the bike just wouldnt crank over. Today I tore the primary cover off and when you crank it the bendix extends but doesn't spin. It also does not retract off the big gear, and if pushed off when you go to crank it again it doesnt extend the relay just clicks. I'm familiar with cars, not a bike mechanic by any means.
Any help is greatly appreciated! BTW I'm new on the site, and there looks to be tons of great info on here.
May be the contacts on the solenoid are not making the connection.
When this happens the starter will make a click, but nothing happens.
Pop the cover off and have a look at the contacts, they are under the cover on the end of the starter, not the round cover, the funny shaped cover. If they are shot you can get a kit at the dealer.
Be sure to disconnect the battery when messing with the starter...don`t ask me how I know that....
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC : 09-28-2009 at 05:30 PM.
Reason: I`m an old fart and I forget stuff...
I wrestled thru this one last year, and it was annoying as hell. Replaced the solenoid & starter, and it cranks every time. You don't mention the bike, but as mine was a 21-year-old gal, I figured it was stuff that was probably due for replacement anyway. Spend a couple hundred bucks & forget it for years...
Anyway, use a multimeter & check your voltage at the battery & starter terminal. You should have very little (less than a volt or two) drop from the battery to the starter. If you do, check all connections & cables first, then start checking the more expensive stuff like I mentioned above. The solenoid is cheaper, so you can replace that one first if you want, then get the starter if necessary.
I got an All Balls 1.4kW starter that ran a few extra dollars, but cranks the hell out of the motor. Just a suggestion. Good luck!
sounds like a problem with your brushes... check the stud on top of your starter. if the stud spins try to move the stud the opposite direction a quarter turn and re-tighten. should start up. keep posted.
Sorry about that its an 85 fxrs. I pulled the starter and solenoid, I bench tested the starter and the gear is spinning. I took black cover with the terminals off the solenoid and noticed the contacts on the inside are half toasted.
This should explain when the solenoid only kicks the fork a little and wont spin the starter correct? I'm waiting on my neighbor to get home, I'm 99% sure I've seen an extra solenoid in his garage.
Alright, tested the solenoid with volt meter tonight. 14.xx volts into the solenoid, and 1.XX out when the switch is pushed. Going to pick up a solenoid tomorrow, should be the solution.
Figured it out! Long story short I'm blind and didnt notice the starter lever/fork was broke where it met the solenoid shaft. Did a quick fix, and ordered the new part.
Linear Mode
