Wits End Starter Issue

[crxtasy169]

If you have the starter apart measure the brush length and or resistance as per manual instruction. This may very well be the problem.

 

[welderjosh]

The brushes looked almost new. I don't think they could be much longer. I will check the resistance though. Thanks.

 

[jimijeans]

If you have your starter off test the armature also the play where it rests in the housing could be worn. Bearings, bushings & the clutch assembly & the cheap relay ,the fieldhousing check for wear on the inside just so you don't have too again.Did you make any changes to engine What yr.?See if you can find a good kit or a total reman especally those cheap a#* bearings.Now is a great time to find them while apart.

 

[riceetr]

Did he ever get this working? I'm having the exact same problem. Its not my relays, battery, or connections. I think it is the starter solenoid.

 

[TheyCallMe]

I am having the exact problem as well.. Mine wont start in 90 degree weather.
riceetr, does your clicking change pace when you hold the clutch in? mine does and it seems odd.
My battery is always charged and i now have two of them sitting around, thinking one was having problems before. It's gotta be in the starter somewhere, mine is consitantly getting worse. It wont start at all now.
Welder, it would be awesome to hear what you learned about the issue. Do i need to buy a new assembly? (2007 XB12Ss)

 

[jimijeans]

Check RTs response above the Starter is the Same as a Dodge Minivan. I found that out about 3000miles ago last year.If it's still out of the Bike check on those contacts,I've already had to do mine.So I bought myself an extra one.Plus an extra Solenoid kit from the Dang Dealer.Whirls over good at this time.Found a Bearing kit by accident and did that to get it out of the way.About 100.bucks in all.Remember if your clutch is in need of adjustment it can slow the starter down cause it's pulling the bike a little.Not sure if it's your problem but several times last year I had some bikes here in the Shop that I adjusted the Clutch and it Started easier.If you pull in the Clutch and the Bike pulls forward at start,put it up on a pit stand & if it turns over and the wheel moves too sometimes it needs a tweek!Good luck.

 

[user_deleted]

josh...sure sounds like the starter to me. every bike we've ever had in here with a good battery and good tested relay that exhibited your symptoms, it was the starter. i realize you're not going to do this but i would bet that if you installed your starter onto another sportster or buell with no known problems, it would exhibit same symptoms as on your bike. and just out of curiousity...is your clutch and primary chain adjusted to specs?

 

[TheyCallMe]

ok, mine is doing everything just like above... but when i hook it up to another battery it turns over just fine... is that still a bad starter? (i am 99% sure my battery is good)

 

[hetzed]

I had basically same problem, and it ended up being engine ground right in front of seat under breather cover. Ground to frame was loose. I have it posted under "oil cooler lines", cuz it was trying to ground through one of them. It is a ground strap on top of dogbone.

 

[TheyCallMe]

so are you guys saying i can go to an autozone or something and pick up a starter for a dodge minivan and have it work??? if so what model should i look for.. im tired of this thing not starting for me.

 

[thebenshow]

I had the same issue and it was due to a a bad battery. The battery was only a few months old and Harley OEM for Buell.