Starter malfunction : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

harleyhog · 02-10-2003, 06:19 AM

I thought I had a loose Compensater Sprocket nut, NO.
The spinning/grindy noise I was hearing was........
My starter keeps trying to engage, while the motor's running!!!
I've taken out the solenoid plunger and cleaned the contacts, they weren't stuck as I was thinking so...........
that just leaves the handlebar switch or...the solenoid itself.
Could it be the relay???

Ed Y · 02-10-2003, 07:43 AM

Relay is possible as is handlebar switch or handlebar ground wire or solenoid. Check the easy stuff first.

harleyhog · 02-10-2003, 10:19 AM

Dunno wtf it is.
Could the Starter Relay if its sticking in the 'on' position, cause the starter to activate as soon as I press the 'run' switch without pressing 'start'?
Sometimes it happens, sometimes it don't.
I'll not be happy driving with the solenoid plunger in there for it to activate.
Need the bit(h for work too.......

Ed Y · 02-10-2003, 10:51 AM

The last time I saw that happen, the problem was the handlebar ground. It happened exactly like you said. I would imagine also that a intermittent shorted starter switch would cause the same thing.

It just occured to me that you had the inner primary off when you did the rear belt change. Part of that would be removing starter and jackshaft. No chance of any problems there somewhere????

harleyhog · 02-10-2003, 11:00 AM

I've had the primary outer cover off today already to check the compensator nut, I started it with the cover off and seen the jackshaft trying to pop out when the starter tried to engage when it shouldn't.
Jackshaft's working fine, too fine.
Can't see any ovious shorts at the starter.
Gonna have to put up with removing the plunger when I'm riding til the weekend, getting dark here and I'm in the street.

Ed, that problem with the handlebar ground. Any more details?

Ed Y · 02-10-2003, 11:20 AM

Handlebar ground wire used to be attached to the bottom of the riser and grounded to the top triple tree. Rubber bushings in the riser were the reason for the ground. To be honest, I'm not sure if newer bikes are setup this way or not as I don't have my wiring diagram handy.

I'd more than likely suspect the starter switch or an intermittent shorted wire.

harleyhog · 02-10-2003, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ed Y
Handlebar ground wire used to be attached to the bottom of the riser and grounded to the top triple tree. I'm not sure if newer bikes are setup this way or not

They are, although I can't understand how a ground wire could cause this to happen.
Started it a few times before putting it to 'bed', Nottin, didn't happen.
Sheeshkabab...

Way too much rain on it me thinks.
...........anybody got a match?

SIDEKICK · 02-10-2003, 08:22 PM

disconnect the small wire on the starter, that should keep it from happening until you get it fixed. If it still does it when you have the small wire disconnected ,you will know its in the starter.

harleyhog · 02-11-2003, 01:23 AM

Thanks for that Sidekick.
That small wire that clips on next to the solenoid cover, think its green. Is that the hot wire from the start switch that activates the solenoid switch?
Me an electrics, fukin stupid!

Ed Y · 02-11-2003, 06:39 AM

That small green wire comes from the starter relay.

SIDEKICK · 02-11-2003, 07:29 AM

As ED Y said, it is the control wire from the relay.

one thing for sure, with it disconnected, if it still happensyou will know it is the starter.

if it dont happen anymore, then you know its in the rest of the bike.lots of fun finding an intermittent problema, I would do some good old fashioned wire wiggling on this one, see if you can make it happen.

my FIL's bike (springer) the headlite would go off and on, wire was pinched right where it goes past steering neck and it had to make a bend. P.I.T.A to find.

harleyhog · 02-11-2003, 12:50 PM

Took the green wire off, rode to work 15/20 miles... nothing.
Rode back........nothing.
Its not the starter.
So, if I get a test light and connect it between that wire and ground it, have a good ole 'wiggle' around the bit(h the light should light once I've found the 'short'?

JMC01 · 02-11-2003, 06:14 PM

I've got a 2001 FXD, one day on the way home I heard a type of grinding noise. My first thought was O-SH-T. I immediatly pulled over and found the starter would try and engage when I just turned on the ignition switch. After disconneting the green starter wire it quit so I could get home. I got out the service manual and started checking all the wiring in the starter circut. I finally ruled out everything and ended up replacing the starter switch. An original equipment switch from the dealer has to have the wires spliced under the handle bar switch housing. This wasn't easy being there isn't alot of room in there. Anyway the bike only had 2000 miles on it and now it's got 6000 and I've never had it happen again. I wonder if this is a common probleum? Anyone else had this happen?

The Dane · 09-20-2004, 11:16 PM

Just did the same to me yesterday on my FXDX. Came riding up to a stoplight, when hell broke loose. A lot of noise from the primary. Did the same thing 2 or 3 times within 3 miles. Had just washed the bike so I think it's water causing the problem. Has been in the garage since, will check it when I come home.

harleyhog · 09-21-2004, 01:01 PM

Holy Jeepers.

A thread resurrection!!!
FYI, mine turned out to be a faulty switch at the handlebar controls.