Ironhead Starter Question

[SHEEPDAWG]

Ive read the starter pinion gear thread and Am Having a similar problem..But slightly different, want your guys opinion*..Brand new solenoid and Bendix gear..tested the starter with primary cover in place. it engages the bendix to gear just fine and turns the motor over but only a few seconds and then makes a clattery free spin sound..I can release the starter button and redo the process..If you were counting engine sounds it goes> ( in lopes) 1-2- Free spin or 1-2-3- free spin..does this sound like a loss of current problem or a starter problem?? anyone else ever have this?

[ryder rick]

Low battery or bad cables or starter drawing too much current. These starter systems must have a fully charged battery. Do a voltage drop test across the battery cables, check for heat at any connections. What does the battery voltage drop to when cranking?
Get a battery tender to keep your battery fully charged, it will pay for itself by doubling the life of the battery.

[SHEEPDAWG]

thanx ryder rick..the battery is brand new and fully charged ..I will let ya know the current drops tonight..I replaced the starter relay just for the hell of it (12$)just to take a piece out of the puzzle..nothing changed..if cables are good and battery is good.. what starter components would be bad? Bendix is new along with the Solenoid..Ill check the draw ASAP

[russzx6]

New sometimes doesn't mean it isn't faulty, or a crap imported product!!

[SHEEPDAWG]

Originally Posted by russzx6

New sometimes doesn't mean it isn't faulty, or a crap imported product!!

First thing I thought of Russ* It sure seems to lock tight the one way to me..anyways...its jumping down from 12.58 to about 7.48 on my meter at the battery when I hit the starter button..I need an extra hand before I can give ya the cable and starter readings..

[FourCams]

Originally Posted by SHEEPDAWG

First thing I thought of Russ* It sure seems to lock tight the one way to me..anyways...its jumping down from 12.58 to about 7.48 on my meter at the battery when I hit the starter button..I need an extra hand before I can give ya the cable and starter readings..

Charge up the battery then take the battery to an auto parts store and have them load test it.
It shouldn't have dropped below 9 volts or so.
If it checks out, you have excessive resistance somewhere in the starting circuit. Maybe a shorted starter winding or a solenoid winding or just a bad connection. If there's a problem in the starting circuit and your voltage is dropping that much you're going to feel heat wherever the problem is. Feel the starter, solenoid/relay, and connections. If they're hot there's excessive resistance.
I would have the battery load tested out of the bike first.

[SHEEPDAWG]

Thankyou...soif it tests good you're sayn a short inside* the starter the copper windings?...can it be fixed or is that easier to get a new starter?

[FourCams]

Originally Posted by SHEEPDAWG

Thankyou...soif it tests good you're sayn a short inside* the starter the copper windings?...can it be fixed or is that easier to get a new starter?

If it ends up being a starter winding it would be best to replace the starter.

[russzx6]

I remember a while back Hopper had bought a new battery . . .then had problems . . .replaced a few hundred $$ of other parts and it came back to the "new" battery which had a couple of faulty cells. A load test will be the true test, a basic way i test an acid cell battery is when you are charging it . .see if all the cells are bubbling . . .one not bubbling is a sure sign that section is faulty

[SHEEPDAWG]

ok guys I appreciate the help as always*..Ill let ya know..