Starter/Starting issues... Please Help

Energy One

Doggystyle

New Member
New member here so prob. posting in wrong section?

Hello All,
First of all, Thank You Tim!
I finally had time to work on my 06 K9 that has been sitting way too long (don't Ask). I replaced the battery and nothing but a click which I believe was plunger in solenoid. Long story somewhat short; I checked battery Voltage which was just over 12, put battery on charger overnight and same click next day. So I took battery back to bike shop and was offered a used battery (12.83volts) to try since my new battery tested no good and was out of stock. Installed used battery and bike turned over for 1 second and then click. :oldbang: I got to thinking about it and the bike has always had a hard time turning over. So I figured I would pull the starter, had it bench tested at 2 reputable shops both saying it works fine. However 1 shop said the shaft is bent and other saying bearing may be bad because shaft is a little loose..:oldcrazy::willynilly: So I decided to take my starter apart myself and everything looked good except for the plunger & contacts had burn marks (I believe caused from low voltage) & also what I believe to be a small amount of oil or primary fluid coating some internals.
I have talked to Curtis in the past and knew he would be my source but haven't heard back from him.
Okay now what... After hours reading posts regarding starter problems etc. on BDB :old2: and searching google :disappointed:
I did find some very good info and that WSW is moving and Curtis is Prob. super busy. Take it easy Curtis!
I still haven't found what I'm looking for.

So my questions are:
Does anyone offer a new (quality) aftermarket starter for a decent price? If so what is the model # etc.
{I read that better upgraded starters for RSD bikes were poss. in the works a few years back}

If not, I know Curtis in the past would rebuild but cant get ahold of him at the moment.
Is anybody offering a re-build kit that includes the new bearing or seal that's not suppose to let primary fluid past it, o rings, plunger and contacts, new rubber boot for lug wire that runs from solenoid to starter etc.? Also maybe a slam button? :spank:

I was told that my starter is a NipponDenso but have read that BD used a couple different starters such as Spyke etc. so I'm not sure what it is?

Yes my comp. releases are working, I've check wires/cables and connections and all seem good; I believe that my problem is caused by a combination of weak batteries and dirty plunger/contacts etc. in starter. (Even though 2 starter shops said starter works)
Since I have the starter pulled I would like to either replace with new or rebuild before I reinstall...
Both shops said they can rebuild starter; But I don't feel they are able to give it the love it sounds a BD starter needs.

It seems when it comes to BD bikes you have to talk to the right people or your wasting your time. I have come across some very good people that know these bikes but of course I can't get ahold of them. I just want to fix my bike so I can once again ride off into the sunset.
:chopper:
So, I finally decided I needed to join BDB because I'm pretty confident you guys will help me out. :here:
Sorry for the long post but wanted to be sure I didn't miss anything; Which I prob. did...
If anybody has any other recommendations or suggestions Please chime in...
I will try posting some pics. later.

Thank You in advance
:cheers:
Nate
 

HMAN

I just like my Freedom
Supporting Member
If all else fails, this is the shop right next door to the old BDM factory. Crazy Russian knows his shit... I had some issues with mine, took it in, he knew what it was out of when I walked in!, and 20 minutes later he had me fixed up for $15!! Just throwing this place out there.

ALTERNATOR & STARTER CO INC
316-265-8990
 
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Doggystyle

New Member
@pknowles, That would have been to easy... Yes, I should have checked a few other things before I pulled starter,but knowing its been hard to start for years now I figured I would pull it. I am now at the point where I don't want to reinstall until I replace or rebuild it. It has sat for around a year.

@BWG56, Yes, I saw that one. I am a little concerned replacing with a BDM starter since it seems they have had problems?

@HMAN, Why couldn't he or someone else that knows these Dogs be a little closer. I will add him to the list.
I was trying to get this thing up and running before next weekend but its not looking to promising... Dang it!
 

cdogg556

Guru
Lot's of choices there for ya Nate, personally I'd send it to DOC and have him rebuild it like Ker said, but I gotta wonder if that's really the issue, you said both shops tested it and say it is good right? :oldconfused: ("I had it bench tested at 2 reputable shops both saying it works fine") So, have you checked all your connections? :oldconfused:tested the cables with your multi-meter? :oldconfused: I am assuming you don't have a slam button so have you tried jumping the terminals on the starter? :oldconfused: Anyways, I was just wondering, I am sure you've already done all that, just thought I'd ask, good luck Nate! :cheers:
 

HMAN

I just like my Freedom
Supporting Member
Hmmm, its always been hard starting for years.....makes me wonder if you have a misalignment issue?
 

Doggystyle

New Member
Hey Guys,
@cdogg556 I did check all connections and they were all tight & corrosion free.
Cables also seem to be good.
I do not have a slam button but I did remove cover and manually push plunger in and still wouldn't turn over and plunger would also move with push of start button. However that was with the first new battery I installed that ended up being bad.
(do you know who/what/where I can get one for stock BDM starter? I want to say I saw in the past that someone was offering them? Was it WSW?)
I am now at the point where obviously I want to try starting bike with fully charged replacement battery I have, but I want to repair a couple internals on my starter before I reinstall it.

@HMA So, as far as the hard starting it has always seemed as if it just has too much compression or a weak battery that just cant turn the motor. Always ran great when running just a gamble if she was going to actually turn over or not.
It wasn't unusual for me to try and start the bike to just be givin a light show from speedo etc. :olddown:"flashing lights" which I believe mean weak/dead battery?
Always put my battery on tender
Bike has working compression releases
I'm :oldconfused: :oldbang: :disappointed:
Thanks for your input Gentleman
Soon we will figure this out...
 

Slick117

Active Member
Not an expert by any means, but with two batteries, both on the lowside.....and with only 12.83 volts being the best of the two, and it turning over once and then clicking ,I would really suspect a battery issue......and yes, flashing directions is a sign of a weak battery.
 

BWG56

Guru
Hmmm, its always been hard starting for years.....makes me wonder if you have a misalignment issue?
How would it be misaligned with the starter nose in the primary backplate and then the locating pin in the starter nose by the rear mounting hole? :oldconfused:It can't rotate even before you put the bolts in.
 

Doggystyle

New Member
I talked with a mechanic today I used in the past for some recall/warranty work that's familiar with the Big Dogs...
He thinks its my starter, he said even though 2 shops bench tested and said its good it may not be good once it has a load on it.
More to come...

Also as far as blinking speedo lights that's what happened in previous years when she wouldn't turn over.
Recently when I tried starting by manually pushing plunger in the speedo/odo would basically "reset" as if low voltage I'm guessing.
 
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cdogg556

Guru
Well Nate, I hope ya's get it figured out buddy, :yesnod: I am also think'n the mechanic is probably right since you said you pushed the plunger in and it did not turn over, after my bike sits overnight, (and it's always been this way), it will sometimes be like it has too much compression also, it partially turns over on the first try, then I will sometimes hold one compression release in while I hit the start button when it's cold, then I hit it again and it spins like a top, so I am not sure but I think that is normal, good luck and keep us posted!
 

Doggystyle

New Member
I hope so too...
FYI. He also said that the EHC (even with the key off/removed) actually drains the battery a little on these bikes; he said its not much but it does drain them and told me to make sure your I'm using a battery tender. Which I always have.
We talked for at least a half hour regarding known issues with the Dogs etc.
Knowledge is power... and you can usually tell if a mechanic knows what he's talking about
But this starter situation has me baffled :oldbang: :oldangry:,,, I just cant wait until I get it rebuilt or whatever and put it back in bike to see what happens...
 

cdogg556

Guru
Yea, I used to have it on a tender all the time, :nonod: but since I installed my ESC from Doc, I have not used it once! :old2: That's been a year now and it fires up everytime, even after sitting one time for a month! :whoop:Before the install, I had nothing but problems, :oldbang:I was known for my bike being on "The Stand" all the time! :oldlaugh: Freak'n wankers! (Ker!):oldhardlaugh: Anyway, you will figure it out and soon be hitting the road and smiling the whole time! :oldsmile::whoop::old2:
 

chubs

Guru
I hope so too...
FYI. He also said that the EHC (even with the key off/removed) actually drains the battery a little on these bikes; he said its not much but it does drain them and told me to make sure your I'm using a battery tender. Which I always have.
We talked for at least a half hour regarding known issues with the Dogs etc.
Knowledge is power... and you can usually tell if a mechanic knows what he's talking about
But this starter situation has me baffled :oldbang: :oldangry:,,, I just cant wait until I get it rebuilt or whatever and put it back in bike to see what happens...
Just a peek into the future, Nate.:oldwtf: You'll put that new starter in,:oldthumbsup: crank it over :oldthumbsup:and when that puppy lights up,:old2::whoop: you're gonna be grinning like a teenager on a hot date roundin second base and headed for home !:drool: :yesnod::oldsmile::oldsmile::oldsmile::oldhardlaugh::old2:
 

Little-Boo

Well-Known Member
Troop Supporter
This is what you need for a battery. http://www.tomiokaracing.com/index....t-batteries/tr-b1500-lightweight-battery.html

You can also get a rebuilt starter from Bigdogpartsking on ebay or you can call him Derek or Donna at 620-257-2009, you may have to call several times before you can reach them but they have the parts. I bought 2 starters (Rebuilt) from them back in the days. I installed one sold one for about the same as what I paid for it. I sent the original to Spyke and had it rebuild for $200.00 all new parts and is now my spare.

Good Luck and get a good battery you won't need another one for years to come.


Carlos :chopper:
 

Doggystyle

New Member
@cdogg556 "ESC from Doc"? Im assuming your talking about an EHC or slam button? :confused:

@chubs Hell Yeah!!! That's a good feeling right there...:agree::boing:

@Little-Boo Nice Avatar! lol,:oldhardlaugh: I actually talked with Donna the other day regarding a new starter and or parts. I have ordered misc. things from her in the past.:oldthumbsup:

Do any of you guys have a pic. or can get me one, of your (stock) hardware setup for the belt cover?
:cheers:

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