Power stroke vs CR's

[Coolbreezin]

I was told that sometimes a v-twin will stop on the power stroke and the battery is to force it pass so the engine will crank and start. They explained that the CR's release the compression to ease the rotation and strain on the battery.
My situation is I seem to constantly stop on the power stroke. I used to be able to push down on my CR's and feel the spring movement. I no longer feel the movement at all. But I know they are closed as I've ridden around numerous times since the last fix (battery died, warranty replacement). The other day the bike resisted turning over, so I pulled the plugs and tried again. Spun like crazy. Installed plugs, spun and started up.
The green wire is connected and getting full voltage.
1) since I cannot depress the two CR's, do I need to replace them?
2) where else can I check (electrical or mechanical) for issues or damage?
Thank you.

 

[knothead]

If they are not moving manual then they aren't working at all...With that said sometimes you can take them out and clean them but most of the time you have to replace them and i would replace them anyway just because of age and most likely to stick again really soon.

To test to make sure they are getting power I would pull the green wire off the starter so the bike doesn't crank and then just put a finger on the CR while hitting the start button to see if you feel it pulsing...if its pulsing then you have power just a stuck CR.

 

[Coolbreezin]

I figured they both were stuck closed. I have compression and I can't push them like I could over the years and feel the movement.
Thank you for the instructions. I'll try it and let yall know.

 

[Coolbreezin]

As instructed, I removed the green wire from the starter and attempted to start the bike. No feeling at all on either CR. But my voltmeter did show a nominal pull of power at each attempt. So the draw is there.
Before I give it my mechanic, how do I test the wires to the CR's?
Thank you.

 

[Jwooky]

As instructed, I removed the green wire from the starter and attempted to start the bike. No feeling at all on either CR. But my voltmeter did show a nominal pull of power at each attempt. So the draw is there.
Before I give it my mechanic, how do I test the wires to the CR's?
Thank you.

12v while engaged

 

[Olde Man]

If you can see the voltage drop on your voltmeter the circuit is good and the problem is mechanical. Replace the cr's. It is hard on the whole electrical system so don't ignore it.

 

[Coolbreezin]

I just pushed on my two CR's, no movement. So I used a socket extension and wood mallet to tap on the to see if maybe they were stuck closed. The front one didn't give at all, tried twice. Back unit gave way and now works fine.
So as I thought, just old, dirty and stuck.
For years I've been considering manual CR's. What's yall thoughts and recommendations?

 

[Rottweiler]

I like the electric ones. The manual ones could get stuck also.