QuestionQUESTION: Hi Mike, I hope you can help. 1987 FXSTC starter motor starts running after riding for about 20 minutes, only way to stop it is to disconnect the battery. I have ck'd the jackshaft and ring gear both ok. Replaced the solenoid and installed new return spring. same problem. New starter relay and main breaker,same. Replaced starter, ck'd all wiring,same. Ck'd battery voltage when not running 14.2v, stated bike, ck'd again 15.6 so I think stator is ok. A local wrench told me it's a weak battery and this happens with softails. New HD AGM and figured I might as well put a new regulator on for good measure. Bike started right up, ran perfect. Half hour into ride, starter starts spinning again, no grinding like if you hit the starter button while the bike was running, just the starter spinning. Got the seat off and battery disconnected before I cooked anything. I'm at my wits end. Hopefully you have a suggestion or two. I appreciate any help you can offer.
Gary
ANSWER: Check your starter switch for a short.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike
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QUESTION: Wow, thanks for the quick response Mike, ck'd the starter switch no shorts. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.
thanks again
ANSWER: take your bike for a ride. When you hear the starter running, quickly check the big solenoid posts with a test light. Is there power at both posts? Before going on yuor ride, turn the key on. Do you have power at only one big post on the solenoid?
Start the bike again and remove the cable at the solenoid that goes to the starter. ride for a while and check the post of the solenoid where you removed the cable. Is it hot?
Mike
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QUESTION: Thanks again Mike. Power at the big post before ride. Drove about 30km with freshly charged battery, problem didn't happen. Thought I would ck some things out and think I have identified whats wrong. I ck'd battery voltage with bike stopped, 14.4, then runnung, 14.6. Much different than the other day. Disconnected the regulator wires going to stator. Started bike, ck'd for voltage output at stator,0 volts. re connected regulator, started bike again, removed positive lead from battery and bike stalled out. I think that means that the stator is shot. It has probably been working occasionally, but ultimately my battery would drain down causing the starter shaft to engage. Does this make sense to you? Are there any other tests I can perform to conform bad stator? Thanks again for your help
AnswerEven is your stator was bad that wouldnt make your starter engage. You can test your stator by doing a OHMs test on each post of the sttor to ground. Then start the bike and at the stator test for AC volts. At 2000 RPM you should be getting 60 volts.
Let me know how it tests
Mike
