2005 Superglide. When i hit the starter button, the starter just spins. How does a guy know if it is the solenoid, relay or starter itself? Are there certain characteristics for each one so i can decide where to check first. I did unplug the green wire at the starter and hit the starter button and the starter did not spin or anything. It looks like the green wire is the start button wire. Correct me if im wrong. Also i hot wired from battery directly to starter and again, just spinning. The battery has 12 volts with a voltmeter. Is 12 volts sufficient? Which direction should i go?? All help is of value. Thanks!!
I checked connections and cleaned solenoid. The load test on the battery checked out good. Isn't the solenoid working when you hear the spinning noise? Not sure, just asking. Its spinning but not engaging. There is no grinding. Also, on the starter clutch kit, is that the jackshaft your talkn about? I'm all ears.
Starter spinning up indicates the solenoid is working. The solenoid is just a switch to connect the starter to the battery while using a lighter guage (and cheaper) wire to the control switch. The Bendix is either not engaging on the starter shaft or you're missing some flywheel teeth or starter gear teeth.
Just so i know im on the same page, is the starter clutch, Bendix and jackshaft all the samething? If so, it sounds like its time to remove the outer primary cover and see whats going on in there. Is that going in the right direction? Thanks for taking me every step of the way. I will be lookn into this in the morning. Is there anything else i can check before i pull the cover off? You guys are a big help for my confidence. I like doing my own chit. Thanks
Battery voltage should be no less than 12.8 static volts across the terminals . Before tearing everything apart charge the battery up to the correct volts . If the starter still only spins then it's most likely the starter over-run clutch that's the culprit .
If the clutch is replaced with the H-D clutch kit make sure the "ball" is installed correctly .
I do have 12.8 static voltage and she is just a spinner. OK, please educate me about the starter over-run clutch. Would that be the jackshaft? Are there any pics that you could share with me without much trouble so i can be sure we are talkn about the same thing? And is the way to go on that a Harley replacement or is there an aftermarket one that i can have shipped to my door that has the same quality? Thanks for all your help!
You can find Harley fiche diagrams at Ronnie's H-D website , total parts break downs but no part numbers .
The over-run clutch is just that , it's inside the starter . The jackshaft is a separate part that connects the starter ouput shaft to the starter drive .
I prefer the H-D over-run clutches , they seem to hold up the best . I've seen aftermarket clutches fail as soon as everything is back together . That sucks to say the least !
OK thanks. This is a good friends bike so i want to replace the correct part on this starter for many reasons. So with my descriptions, is the starter clutch the direction you would go to fix the spinning starter? Dont get me wrong, im not holding you responsible for anything i say or do. Just looking to head the right direction with some experienced advice. You guys are a big help in allowing me to learn some things on these bikes. Thank you for that!!
Sometimes you can grab the pinion gear and turn it both ways to test the clutch . It should only turn one way and grab the other way .
I think the part you're calling the jackshaft is the part that connects the pinion gear to the starter coupler . The coupler is what I referred to earlier as the jackshaft .
If you hear the pinion jumping into the ring gear but the starter then just spins I would say it's the starter over-run clutch .
That is what i will do. Pull the starter off and check that. Thanks again, i will keep everyone posted. If there are any more thoughts or ideas please share it. I will be checking the forum throughout the day. Here we go!
Heres a follow up. I pulled the primary cover and with the starter still installed, i could turn the pinion gear both directions. It didnt catch either way. Sounds like the starter clutch. Thanks for your patience and steering me the right way. I will let you all know the end result.
Im cleaning parts while im waiting for the clutch assembly to get here. Had to order one. While doing inventory on the bolts and other parts, I seem to have lost a small bolt to the solenoid cover already. Cant believe it. Anyway, need 3 of them and i only found two. Are these available through the HD shop? Anybody have an extra one laying around? I will check at HD Monday. Other than that everything else seems fine. Later.
If you're going to install the clutch in the starter yourself do it on a work bench or table with a towel on it , small parts fall out when you open the starter up and they like to roll into never never land . Also you do not have to completely disassemble the starter , keep it together except for the end housing that the clutch fits into . Keep track of all the parts and where they belong too . Take pics as you go ... just saying .
I agree, i didnt need to take the solenoid cap off but just lookn in there, really. Yes, i located the single ball bearing and the 5 roller bearings in the unit while on the work bench. I dont rush through anything while working on things like this. Losing screws to a project is not a common thing to happen to me. It pissed me off when i got things sorted out and realized the screw has disappered. Still looking. Schmidtys, you have been a great help. I will keep things posted.
Just about to change my starter clutch when the parts get here. It is NOT the jack shaft. U need to remove the primary, undo the bolt on the end of the jack shaft (gear thing coming out of the case just above the clutch basket. Now remove the starter. Ur gonn need to take the engine side cover off the motor and replace the gear clutch inside. If u do a search on ebay for starter clutch, u will see exactly what it looks like.
Sounds like a big job, but its quite easy. Just remember where the bits come off and take photos if you can. Its about 2a hr job.
Nope, no screw, no magnets. Got to the starter clutch and removed it. Just waiting on the new part. Will continue story when i get the part. Thanks all input!!
My starter clutch gave up too. Found the part on ebay for $35.00. When I took the starter apart, I found a moly type lube in this part of the starter and in the clutch as well, the bearings had the seals taken off. I think this may be the reason it failed prematurely.
Hi I have a Problem, I have just replaced my broken Drive belt to the back wheel, I have not put the Primary Cover back on as yet, as I wanted to see if the starter was engaging, the Jackshaft is Spinning but not the Gear and not the Engine. Have I got something wrong when putting the Jackshaft back in ???, Help Needed.. Also I had a Struggle getting the Jackshaft Bolt to thread up, Kind Regards Bernard
Bernard...this thread is 5 years old. First go to the New to Community thread and introduce yourself if you want help. It's nice to know who we are helping!! Then go to the "Technical Forum"..."General Service and Repair" and start a NEW thread. Also, let us know your progress when you get help so this information may help others!!
Having the same problem on my 98 Softail, I replaced the jackshaft, jackshaft bushing, and the starter clutch, I didn't see any teeth missing on the flywheel, battery is brand new.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Harley Davidson Forums
1.8M posts
96.6K members
Since 2006
A forum community dedicated to all Harley-Davidson model owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, troubleshooting, builds, maintenance, classifieds and more!