QuestionMy 1992 Harley FXSTC makes a high-pitched whining sound when I try to start it (the motor does not turn over). However, it does push start. My initial thought is that the starter has failed somehow. One day it worked -- the next day it didn't.
My questions: (1) Does it sound to you as if the starter is bad?; (2) Is the starter rebuildable, or should it be replaced?; (3) Can the starter be replaced without removing the oil tank? The starter appears to have only two Allen bolts holding it in place.
Thanks for the help!
AnswerHi Carl.
It sounds like the problem is completely with the starter mechanism (starter motor and starter gear). The whining sound is the starter spooling up, so something mechanical is failing to engage.
1) From what you have told me, the starter motor is spinning up but the gear is not engaging. It could be a broken spring in the mechanism (engine side) or it could be something on the engine side stuck.
Get the repair manual and pull the starter motor and check the engine side of the starter mechanism for proper movement.
2) starters are, generally rebuildable. I hav never heard of one that wasn't.
3) As far as replacing the starter motor without removing the oil tank, it depends on accessability more than anything else.
Let me know what you find.
Good luck and ride safe.
FALCON
