I just talked to someone I know from another forum (Non-Magna).. He is helping out a buddy with a Newly purchased 1996 with 3000 miles on it.. He is having a starting issue (electrical it would appear).
I told him to log in to MOOT and we would help him out..
So, I'm giving you some advanced notice to look out for the post..
The Battery is good. The Starter Clicks, but won't turn the motor. IF he tries to push start it the rear tire usually skids.. However there have been a couple of instances when he has got it started and has ridden it over 300 miles, so it's not a locked up motor..
He took of the right side cover and when he removed the stater clutch the starter spun..
He has put the starter cable directly to the batter and "click", so this rules out the solenoid..
The above is just to get your taste buds wet.. Wait for his post..
Thanx guys for being there for him (me)..
I know you said to wait, but that's not me :)
possible bad ground connection on motor? if the solenoid clicks and the battery is good, that means that all the saftey switches are working and letting +12v flow from the battery through the solenoid to the starter motor. the starter motor needs a -12v ground to complete the circuit. i'd check the grounds first.. if he wants to push start this beast, tell him to try it in a higher gear, like 4th, push it, dump the clutch and then when it starts, pull in the clutch and shift it back to 1st. :)
Tell him to go get a new battery; he has enough volts/amps to click the starter, but not enough to turn the motor over.
If he took the cover and starter gear out, did he remember to put the washer back in behind the gear? Without this spacer the gear can bind or nor make contact. Just another thing to check.
Battery..
He already replaced it..
With the original battery, he was able to jump it once and get it started.
Replaced the battery (I think he got it to start once with the new battery), Could not even get it to start while jumping off of a pick-up truck.
He told me a very long story and I don't remember the exact order of things..
Maybe related. He said the front left cylinder is getting fuel into it because of a bad float.. I've left him a message that MAYBE he is getting a liquid lock on that cylinder - that would cause the start click and not be able to push start it..
I can push start my bike in 2nd going about 2 MPH - He did get it push started once in 5th gear...
TOTALLY NOT RELATED - the Vacuum fuel shutoff has been bypassed/removed. He had to replace a cheap fuel filter (replaced it with a glass one) and has checked the fuel screen (again, dealing with earlier symptoms and NOT RELATED to the issue at hand.
Quote from: hootmon on June 28, 2010, 09:32:47 PM
Battery..
He already replaced it..
With the original battery, he was able to jump it once and get it started.
Replaced the battery (I think he got it to start once with the new battery), Could not even get it to start while jumping off of a pick-up truck.
He told me a very long story and I don't remember the exact order of things..
Maybe related. He said the front left cylinder is getting fuel into it because of a bad float.. I've left him a message that MAYBE he is getting a liquid lock on that cylinder - that would cause the start click and not be able to push start it..
I can push start my bike in 2nd going about 2 MPH - He did get it push started once in 5th gear...
TOTALLY NOT RELATED - the Vacuum fuel shutoff has been bypassed/removed. He had to replace a cheap fuel filter (replaced it with a glass one) and has checked the fuel screen (again, dealing with earlier symptoms and NOT RELATED to the issue at hand.
Ok, now that we know he has a new battery and we know he connected the starter directly to the new battery and it would not turn the starter; he has a bad starter. I could not find any info as to what the resistance should be through the starter, but my money is now on the starter.
Quote from: John Luttrell on June 28, 2010, 09:41:55 PM
my money is now on the starter.
We discussed this, but I have a question..
The bike only has 3000 miles, so the starter has not been used much.. Now for the question..
How many Gen 3 Starters do you know of that have gone bad?? This does NOT seem to be a common issue (such as regulators and clogged carbs). It is possible that the commutator rusted/corroded up from sitting so long, but when he took out the starter clutch the starter did spin..
I'm not shooting down the idea, I'm just asking how likely that it is really the issue??
The point of me posting was not so much to troubleshoot the issue with only part of the information (I DO REALLY APPRECIATE THE SUGGESTIONS!!!) but to be ready for his post when he fills in more details and then really jump on it!!
Quote from: hootmon on June 28, 2010, 10:08:22 PM
Quote from: John Luttrell on June 28, 2010, 09:41:55 PM
my money is now on the starter.
We discussed this, but I have a question..
The bike only has 3000 miles, so the starter has not been used much.. Now for the question..
How many Gen 3 Starters do you know of that have gone bad?? This does NOT seem to be a common issue (such as regulators and clogged carbs). It is possible that the commutator rusted/corroded up from sitting so long, but when he took out the starter clutch the starter did spin..
I'm not shooting down the idea, I'm just asking how likely that it is really the issue??
The point of me posting was not so much to troubleshoot the issue with only part of the information (I DO REALLY APPRECIATE THE SUGGESTIONS!!!) but to be ready for his post when he fills in more details and then really jump on it!!
It is very likely that the starter either corroded or some lubricant on the shaft bearings gummed up over time. Either condition can be rectified by going in and cleaning the starter; there still is a possibility that the starter windings have high resistance and he will need a new one. The wrench in me says that I would go in and see what she looks like inside. Either way, my money is still on the starter; I'll keep an eye out for his post..
Has he looked at oil and radiator levels to see if either are low.
Just throwing something off the wall out there.
Quote from: hootmon on June 28, 2010, 09:32:47 PM
The Battery is good. The Starter Clicks, but won't turn the motor. IF he tries to push start it the rear tire usually skids.. However there have been a couple of instances when he has got it started and has ridden it over 300 miles, so it's not a locked up motor..
------
He told me a very long story and I don't remember the exact order of things..
Maybe related. He said the front left cylinder is getting fuel into it because of a bad float.. I've left him a message that MAYBE he is getting a liquid lock on that cylinder - that would cause the start click and not be able to push start it..
I can push start my bike in 2nd going about 2 MPH - He did get it push started once in 5th gear...
TOTALLY NOT RELATED
I don't have any more input then what's been given, but if y'awl come to the conclusion that it is/may be the starter, let me know as I have a spare one that I used when trying to diag another problem a few years ago. It'll end up being much cheaper than any new one.