88 starter issue

richny · Nov 7th, 2009, 10:13 AM

Hey all, just got my first harley two weeks ago and am quite proud...so far. I've got an 88 sportster 1200 that's in great shape for her age but started having a little trouble with the starter. I put in a new battery and have a full charge on it. At times when I hit the starter button I hear the starter spinning but it does'nt engage the motor. Sometimes after bumping the starter button a few times it'll catch and crank over and start. Kinda scared to take her somewhere now in case it won't catch and leave me stranded. Please tell me this is something simple and won't cost an arm and a leg to fix.

Hoople · Nov 7th, 2009, 10:42 AM

I am looking at a parts break down of an '87 Sporty. Inside the starter there is clutch sub-assembly that may be slipping. It is an over riding one way clutch. If that was slipping, you would have the symptom you describe.

I would think the '87 & '88 are close in starter design.

richny · Nov 7th, 2009, 10:48 AM

thanks for the quick reply. I've got a clymer manuel from the guy I bought the bike from and the starter seems to have a lot going on in there. I was kinda guessing something like that but wanted some opinions before ripping her apart. Was'nt sure if it was like a car with a bendix sping to push out the starter gear, but appears not.

RichardS · Nov 7th, 2009, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richny

Hey all, just got my first Harley two weeks ago and am quite proud...so far. I've got an 88 Sportster 1200 that's in great shape for her age but started having a little trouble with the starter. I put in a new battery and have a full charge on it. At times when I hit the starter button I hear the starter spinning but it doesn't engage the motor. Sometimes after bumping the starter button a few times it'll catch and crank over and start. Kinda scared to take her somewhere now in case it won't catch and leave me stranded. Please tell me this is something simple and won't cost an arm and a leg to fix.

First, CONGRATS on getting your first Harley! It's a great feeling, isn't it? Listen, the good news is you've come to the right place.....hdtalking is the best Harley forum on the net, and you'll get PLENTY of sound advice from guys with a vast wealth of expertise in all areas!

So, they'll offer advice about your starter issue, which I'll leave to them, but remember, a Sporty is a GREAT bike for a number of reasons, not the least of which it's the easiest Harley to push-start if you need to!

So don't worry about getting stranded.....get out there and RIDE!

(but yes, do get the issue fixed as well!)

Hoople · Nov 7th, 2009, 11:01 AM

Actually on the '87 parts break down, it looks very similar to an automobile starter. Maybe the '88 is different.

Do you hear that "clank" sound of the pinion gear engaging with the ring gear.
If you do, I would bet it is the over-running clutch sub-assembly slipping.

You know it could be something as simple as lack of lube on the shaft the clutch slides on. You could just be compressing the spring without the pinion gear shooting forward.

Hoop!

glider · Nov 7th, 2009, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richny

Hey all, just got my first harley two weeks ago and am quite proud...so far. I've got an 88 sportster 1200 that's in great shape for her age but started having a little trouble with the starter. I put in a new battery and have a full charge on it. At times when I hit the starter button I hear the starter spinning but it does'nt engage the motor. Sometimes after bumping the starter button a few times it'll catch and crank over and start. Kinda scared to take her somewhere now in case it won't catch and leave me stranded. Please tell me this is something simple and won't cost an arm and a leg to fix.

Your problem is more than likely the starter drive which is #133 in this pic.

richny · Nov 7th, 2009, 11:24 AM

no, I don't hear a clank or anything, just a spinning sound. Well, thanks for all the suggesstions, guess there's no easy way out. Time to break out the tools!

How does the starter drive operate?

Hoople · Nov 7th, 2009, 12:12 PM

Now after looking at the break down that Glider posted, I am not really sure if the pinion is thrown forward by the plunger solenoid like they do in an automotive starter.
I would just pull it out and see whats going on.

richny · Nov 8th, 2009, 09:47 AM

hey guys, pulled off the primary to see what's going on and this is what I found. When I push the starter button the starter gear comes out and does engage the clutch shell ring gear and both spin freely but does'nt always crank the engine over. So, I assume there must be something slipping or worn from the clutch shell ring gear to the clutch asembly causing it not to engage all the time. Can't really see anything on any parts breakdown. Anyway, went to the dealership and ran it by the service manager and he's stumped, but they're gonna pick my bike up and check it out for free. I'll let you know what the final outcome is. Hope I don't need to get a second job.

STEVE07 · Nov 8th, 2009, 10:09 AM

Why don't you do some proper testing for yourself.
Here is a link with some very good testing info
Starter System Testing - Harley Davidson Community

Nov 7th, 2009, 10:42 AM	#2
Hoople Contributor$ Ride: 2009 Dyna Low Join Date: Aug 16th, 2009 Posts: 506	Re: 88 starter issue I am looking at a parts break down of an '87 Sporty. Inside the starter there is clutch sub-assembly that may be slipping. It is an over riding one way clutch. If that was slipping, you would have the symptom you describe. I would think the '87 & '88 are close in starter design.

Nov 7th, 2009, 10:48 AM	#3
richny New Family Ride: 88 sportster 1200 Join Date: Nov 7th, 2009 Posts: 5	Re: 88 starter issue thanks for the quick reply. I've got a clymer manuel from the guy I bought the bike from and the starter seems to have a lot going on in there. I was kinda guessing something like that but wanted some opinions before ripping her apart. Was'nt sure if it was like a car with a bendix sping to push out the starter gear, but appears not.

Nov 7th, 2009, 11:01 AM	#5
Hoople Contributor$ Ride: 2009 Dyna Low Join Date: Aug 16th, 2009 Posts: 506	Re: 88 starter issue Actually on the '87 parts break down, it looks very similar to an automobile starter. Maybe the '88 is different. Do you hear that "clank" sound of the pinion gear engaging with the ring gear. If you do, I would bet it is the over-running clutch sub-assembly slipping. You know it could be something as simple as lack of lube on the shaft the clutch slides on. You could just be compressing the spring without the pinion gear shooting forward. Hoop!

Nov 7th, 2009, 11:24 AM	#7
richny New Family Ride: 88 sportster 1200 Join Date: Nov 7th, 2009 Posts: 5	Re: 88 starter issue no, I don't hear a clank or anything, just a spinning sound. Well, thanks for all the suggesstions, guess there's no easy way out. Time to break out the tools! How does the starter drive operate?

Nov 7th, 2009, 12:12 PM	#8
Hoople Contributor$ Ride: 2009 Dyna Low Join Date: Aug 16th, 2009 Posts: 506	Re: 88 starter issue Now after looking at the break down that Glider posted, I am not really sure if the pinion is thrown forward by the plunger solenoid like they do in an automotive starter. I would just pull it out and see whats going on.

Nov 7th, 2009, 10:13 AM	#1
richny New Family Ride: 88 sportster 1200 Join Date: Nov 7th, 2009 Posts: 5	88 starter issue Hey all, just got my first harley two weeks ago and am quite proud...so far. I've got an 88 sportster 1200 that's in great shape for her age but started having a little trouble with the starter. I put in a new battery and have a full charge on it. At times when I hit the starter button I hear the starter spinning but it does'nt engage the motor. Sometimes after bumping the starter button a few times it'll catch and crank over and start. Kinda scared to take her somewhere now in case it won't catch and leave me stranded. Please tell me this is something simple and won't cost an arm and a leg to fix.

Nov 8th, 2009, 09:47 AM	#9
richny New Family Ride: 88 sportster 1200 Join Date: Nov 7th, 2009 Posts: 5	Re: 88 starter issue hey guys, pulled off the primary to see what's going on and this is what I found. When I push the starter button the starter gear comes out and does engage the clutch shell ring gear and both spin freely but does'nt always crank the engine over. So, I assume there must be something slipping or worn from the clutch shell ring gear to the clutch asembly causing it not to engage all the time. Can't really see anything on any parts breakdown. Anyway, went to the dealership and ran it by the service manager and he's stumped, but they're gonna pick my bike up and check it out for free. I'll let you know what the final outcome is. Hope I don't need to get a second job.

Nov 8th, 2009, 10:09 AM	#10
STEVE07 Moderators Ride: 2007FLHTC Join Date: Oct 4th, 2008 Location: Kitchener Ontario Canada Posts: 3,066 My Mood:	Re: 88 starter issue Why don't you do some proper testing for yourself. Here is a link with some very good testing info Starter System Testing - Harley Davidson Community __________________ Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. click me!>>Self Help Information and Tips<< click me!

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88 starter issue

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