WHAT TO DO IF THE STARTER WON'T TURN
- Thread starter Moespeeds
- Start date
Jonny Black
Member
Thanks for the share!!! I was really in need of this wisdom. It seems like when the weather is hot the Dogs don't want to run.:flag:
Posted via Mobile Device
Posted via Mobile Device
scubaman15
Well-Known Member
Great write up!!!:up: also had me pissing my pants "Pretend I'm Fat and Black" while eating my breakfast :lol:
Moe, can't tell you how helpful this info is. The pretend i'm fat and black wire was just hanging down behind my starter. Had pulled the starter and took to the local starter shop twice in the last 500 miles, replaced battery and still in starter won't work hell. Now I know where the fat black wire belongs and a few other tricks to try. This is absolutely the best
help a guy out forum I can imagine....all the way around. Simply put thanks ain't really enough to say.
help a guy out forum I can imagine....all the way around. Simply put thanks ain't really enough to say.
Generatorman
Member
This is a keeper in the saved file very good info
Thank you
:up:
Thank you
:up:
Purple Chopper
Member
Anybody got a follow up on the below, I would like one of them covers with the push button, is the starter/solenoid on a 2004 made by DSSC?
"Moe,
I have a push button on my starter housing on my 07 Bulldog with the DSSC.
I put it on last year and ordered it from a thread on here somewhere.
I will post a pic later and the info if I can find it....
Another piece of mind in a pinch..
Neil
__________________
Neil in Tenn"
"Moe,
I have a push button on my starter housing on my 07 Bulldog with the DSSC.
I put it on last year and ordered it from a thread on here somewhere.
I will post a pic later and the info if I can find it....
Another piece of mind in a pinch..
Neil
__________________
Neil in Tenn"
francoblay1
The Spaniard
Excelent info. thanks for taking the time!!!
reloaderbmg
OLD DOG
Moe. good one!
410strokerss
Member
Mo! Thank you sir for the great write up...find this very helpful with a starter prob on my 01 boxer
:flag:
:flag:
pauldeepsea
Guru
Is there anyway to bench test a starter that is removed from the bike? I am on my 2nd starter (compufire).I happen to have a shiny new Ultima 2kw starter on my desk today, and lots of time to fuck off so I'll do a quick how-to. My Ipod charger will be standing in for a jumper wire.
So you try to start your Big Dog, and nothing happens, or maybe you hear a click, or a lot of clicks, or maybe it just grinds. If you're at home, you run to the computer and ask the question on a forum, but what if you're out riding, or in the middle of nowhere? Everyone should practice push starting their bike, just to get a feel for it, but here's some things you can do to get it to turn.
First some fast diagnostics. There is a little green wire with a blade connector going to a plastic plug on the top of the starter. If you have a voltage tester handy, pull that wire and test it for 12v when you hit the starter button. If you don't get any juice, or get a strange or low reading, then your problem is most likely further up the line. Dead battery, bad start button, bad EHC or relay. If you do get 12v, read on. While you have it pulled, press the start button again and listen at the compression releases on top of the motor, they should both click. On earlier models they will stay open as long as the start button is held, on later models they automatically release after a second or two.
First make sure your fat black ground wire is still attached up at the upper mounting bolt. Sometimes these break off.
The starter has a solenoid, and when you send a 12v signal to it, it pulls in a plunger type switch that opens a direct connection to the battery positive, giving the motor the battery's full cranking amps. This starter has a "slam button" on it, that allows you to manually force the plunger to make the connection. Everyone should have one of these, but I've never seen one that fits a DSSC starter.
If you are stuck somewhere, and want to force that starter to turn, just take off the 3 bolts on the cover and shove that plunger in. You can use your thumb, but I prefer the handle of a screwdriver. If the contacts are all in place, and the starter has a good connection to +/- on the battery, and the battery is good, and there isn't something physically jammed in the jackshaft, it will have no choice but to turn.
Alternatively, if you don't want to open up the starter, you can get the same result by jumping the two big lugs on the outside. Pull back the boots and use a piece of thick wire, 4ga is best, but I've done it with 6ga. You can use a screwdriver, but don't be timid or you may weld it to the contacts. You may have to bend the screwdriver to keep it from hitting the starter housing. Whatever you use, strap a set on and do it with conviction, don't be ginger. You've got around 300 amps flowing, and if the wire pops off or bounces around, you will end up with little arc strikes all over your shiny chrome. It's good to keep a piece of 4 or 6 ga wire in your toolkit for this purpose.
It's a good idea to open your starter up every season and clean those contacts up with some sandpaper. There is a thread on it somewhere here.
If your starter just grinds or whines, it's something mechanical at the jackshaft end. Make sure your mounting bolts are tight and in place. Next is to look inside the primary. I've seen a few jackshafts break off and found the gear laying in the bottom of the primary. Could also be that the gear stripped or the ring gear on the clutch basket stripped. Either way, before you just shove a new part in there, find the cause. Whether it's a loose clutch hub bolt, bad starter alignment, bad transmission shim, etc. Find the cause for the failure before you ruin another good part.
heems
Member
I don't even know what to call this. I read this post in the morning as part of my daily perusal. I go to ride this afternoon and guess what - starter won't turn. My case was one where upon pressing the Start button I'd hear a mechanical clunk and then nothing. I verified the compression releases were going down as well, and still nothing. Based on the explanation provided I reasoned that perhaps the plunger is going down (the mechnical clunk sound), but somehow the amps that's supposed to flow between the points where Moe says not to "use your fingers" was not happening. So I jiggled the (thick) cable (connecting the solenoid to the starter?) and viola. At least that's what I think did it. 
Either way thank you for your post. Saved my ass from being stranded. Love this community. 
Either way thank you for your post. Saved my ass from being stranded. Love this community.
heems
Member
Follow Up
Well, the intermittent starter not cranking came back for me. Took it in, thinking the starter must be bad (as the solenoid would close each time and compression releases would drop). Turned out to be loose battery terminal connection. Go figure. Thought I pass this along.
Well, the intermittent starter not cranking came back for me. Took it in, thinking the starter must be bad (as the solenoid would close each time and compression releases would drop). Turned out to be loose battery terminal connection. Go figure. Thought I pass this along.
Larraken
Member
Moe, I just wanted to thank you and everybody else here for all your efforts, knowledge and time to help the rest of us and perhaps my experience will help someone else.
I was at a loss to explain why my 06 Mastiff wouldn't start...not even turn over...nothing at all so I followed your instructions to check for 12 volts at the green wire and yes I had it. That led me to believe the problem was with the starter itself. Another thread talked about the rubber boot at the rear of the starter motor splitting bareing the wire from the solenoid...a common problem and yes mine was torn as well. I opened up the solenoid and pushed in the plunger...still nothing. The starter had to come out for closer inspection. I dismantled it as far as it would go but I couldn't get to the armature or brushes and I didn't want to force it but I could open it enough to see the brushes were in the front. That means there must be a bearing in the back just below the torn rubber boot where water was entering. You guessed it the bearing was siezed. A bit of water dispersing lubricant, a few million turns and it was free. All back together and the Dog is growling again. Advice for everyone....seal that rubber boot. I used a self amalgamating rubber tape that forms a totally waterproof seal.:2thumbs:
Cheers
Glenn
I was at a loss to explain why my 06 Mastiff wouldn't start...not even turn over...nothing at all so I followed your instructions to check for 12 volts at the green wire and yes I had it. That led me to believe the problem was with the starter itself. Another thread talked about the rubber boot at the rear of the starter motor splitting bareing the wire from the solenoid...a common problem and yes mine was torn as well. I opened up the solenoid and pushed in the plunger...still nothing. The starter had to come out for closer inspection. I dismantled it as far as it would go but I couldn't get to the armature or brushes and I didn't want to force it but I could open it enough to see the brushes were in the front. That means there must be a bearing in the back just below the torn rubber boot where water was entering. You guessed it the bearing was siezed. A bit of water dispersing lubricant, a few million turns and it was free. All back together and the Dog is growling again. Advice for everyone....seal that rubber boot. I used a self amalgamating rubber tape that forms a totally waterproof seal.:2thumbs:
Cheers
Glenn
solenoid slamm
awesome t/s artical with dynamic visuals I had my starter rebuilt by wild steel worx and paid the extra 77 bucks to install a slam and I have an 05 Pitbull aparently they do ? have them for the DSSC. and I wanted to add that I sent them a turd for a starter. I cant say enough about these guys no crap.. I was updated about what was wrong with pics .. he found me parts and as well gave me parts he had in the shop to help me out .. just awesome and for the price I was quoted.. and they shipped the starter back to mwe as part of the repair ... what is not to like about all that ? So theres my endorsement if you need them use them !! C
awesome t/s artical with dynamic visuals
I had my starter rebuilt by wild steel worx and paid the extra 77 bucks to install a slam and I have an 05 Pitbull aparently they do ? have them for the DSSC. and I wanted to add that I sent them a turd for a starter. I cant say enough about these guys no crap.. I was updated about what was wrong with pics .. he found me parts and as well gave me parts he had in the shop to help me out .. just awesome and for the price I was quoted.. and they shipped the starter back to mwe as part of the repair ... what is not to like about all that ? So theres my endorsement if you need them use them !! C
francoblay1
The Spaniard
:2thumbs: naugh said!
drgnSlyr1958
Member
hey Moe, sounds like you're the man to talk too, so, question, if I jump across the terminals on my starter, since I don't have the push button cap yet, and it cranks, does that have any significance as to what may be the problem, like the EHC, bad start button etc,,,, . I cleaned the contacts in the starter today and it didn't seem to make a difference. Also posted a ? earlier today with everything I checked, since I'm new, didn't realize there was a forum for these type of questions. Anyway, any feedback will be greatly appreciated. Shiny side up sir.