Did I ruin my starter?

So lately my bike has been slow to start if it's been sitting for a few days... It usually will fire up, but takes quite a few turns on the started to get it going... Yesterday was the same old story.. Wasn't firing and I tried for probably longer than I should have... And now it seems to be making a whiring/grinding noise when the motor tries to turn over... Not sure what it is, but it does not sound healthy. Any suggestions of where to go next? Could I have damaged the starter motor beyond repair for tryin too long? Or is it something I can tear apart and fix my self?

 

Hows the battery? If its low on charge it will do that. Make sure it is at full charge. Charge it up then try.

 

And what oil are you running?

 

time for a new battery.

dave F

 

Battery is only 9 weeks or so old, right now I have 20w-50 in it... I'll try to charge up my battery and give it a try again sometime soon

 

Automotive or motorcycle-specific 20W50?

 

Motorcycle specific

 

batt usually has to see full voltage to engage the starter, charge her up and try again.

 

Howdy Cack, I am sorry to be the one to tell you this, but it sounds like your starter clutch has worn out. Our bikes starters are not like the ones found in cars, the starters pinion gear is always in mesh and there is a one way clutch which grabs when the starter button is pushed and the gears just free wheel when the engine is running. Here's the bad news, to fix this requires the engine to be removed and taken apart, and this means really apart; splitting the cases to gain access to the starter clutch. The logical alternative is to bump start it; and park it on a nice hill for the night.

 

Or not.

What bike exactly are we talking about, and how many miles on it?

The starter won't "engage" the starter clutch (sprag clutch) unless it spins FAST enough.

Wrong oil, flat battery, sluggish starter-- all more common than the actual starter clutch itself. I'm not saying it's not possible, but there are a lot more things further up the list to be investigated first.

 

I know your battery is only 9 weeks old but until you get it tested, it's on the list of problem areas

MN

 

I'm gonna have to agree with a battery problem. These bikes NEED the voltage, and a 'mostly' charged battery doesn't always do the trick.

Step 1: fully charge your battery using either the recommended charging as specified in the instructions that came with the battery OR a SMART charger.
Step 2: take the battery in and have it load tested.
Step 3: If all else fails, jump the bike off of a charged car battery. NOTE: DO NOT, and I repeat DO NOT have the car running when you jump start the bike. Car regenerative systems often produce too much voltage and will KILL your bike's electronics if you attempt to jump the bike off of a running car. A car battery has plenty of starting amperage to start the bike. If that doesn't work, then maybe you might want to start looking at the starter.

Remember these are low current systems on the bike. If I am not mistaken my 650 is only a 22amp charging system, and most of that is taken by the electronics to keep the bike running. Excessive attempts to start the bike unsuccessfully can certainly lead to insufficient battery charge which can cause all sorts of problems.

On a side note, IF you do get stuck with the bike battery too low to start with the starter motor, sometimes you can bump start it. The battery can often easily provide enough power for the ignition system alone if you can get the engine turning by other means, even in a moderately discharged state. The starter sucks so much power out of the battery it isn't funny.

That's just my $0.02.

 

It wouldn't be the first time that I have seen a bad battery from the box. Been there often enough.

I'm still going with a bad battery.

Dave F

 

By all means Cack, investigate all other possibilities, I hope your starter clutch isn't worn out. Just be prepared for a worst case scenario.

 

Also - check ground connections and solenoid terminals.

Try crossing the solenoid - they can internally corrode,

Starter brushes dirty ?? Check everything.