Try it before you start it. Ultimately, you will have to decide what is best for you and your motorcycle. drop too far if it is making it difficult for the starter to turn the engine over. Check for a poor connection in the heavy gauge wires between the battery and starter relay, and the starter relay and the starter motor. There are several symptoms of a bad motorcycle stator, which include: 5 Ways to Recognize a Bad Motorcycle Stator No Spark, Weak Spark, or Intermittent Spark No signs of life from the headlight when cranking over the engine No charging light on the dash When riding, No power from any electrical components (lights, gauges, accessories) First, you need to be able to start the engine, so if that isnt possible, your only option is static testing. It's has nothing to do with making it fire. Cannon Entities LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Compare your readings with your shop manual's specifications to see if they are The longer you have a motorcycle, the longer it is exposed to vibrations, heat, cold, wind, water, etc. In some cases, when the starter motor is going bad, you may notice that the engine won't turn over on the first attempt; it may take several tries before the starter motor engages. The time that the repair takes is anywhere between 2 - 4 hours. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. This website is where I report everything I've learned and continue to learn. Just like any other component on your motorcycle, parts wear down over time. Get the leak sorted quickly, and replace your starter motor. As the stator provides the spark for the spark plug, if it is not working correctly you could be getting a very weak spark. Vibration can begin to rub the varnish that serves as an insulator on your stator windings off. Note: In a motorcycle, you may not come across a standalone alternator voltage regulator. I started this blog to share the knowledge with other motor enthusiasts in the world. This could be a result of a bad stator. He loves restoring motorcycles, has a vast knowledge of how they work, and has sold his restoration projects to customers from all over the United States. If you read around 11-13 volts, your car battery is fine. Kyle currently works as a mechanical engineer and graduated with a minor in automotive engineering. If you cannot do the task yourself, you should allow a mechanic to do the fixing. Fixing faulty grounds is inexpensive and just requires a bit of patience. Does Auto-Start/Stop Wear Out Engine Components? Your This results in a loss of contact inside of it which prevents it from working as it should. The stator is the engines electrical generator that creates the alternating current. . A faulty solenoid will be the usual cause, with the gates welding together preventing power from shutting off. should be the last thing that you check. What happens is the charging system is attempting to bring a bad battery to a full charge. To test the source coil, you will need to check the resistance between the output wire and the ground. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Turn on the Ignition, and Pull the Clutch Lever In, As The Engine Engages, Shift Into Neutral. Sometimes a starter motor just stops working one day with no prior signs. Over time, this noise occurs as corrosion starts to appear. You will likely have to engage the throttle a bit to keep the bike from stalling. Intermittent electrical can be a real pain to find too. Attach a multimeter to the battery, then follow the instructions on your multimeter to check the voltage. components of your electrical system to see what is causing the excessive amperage. The purpose of this guide is to help riders to begin the process of troubleshooting . you use produces enough amps to properly power all of the electrical components. To begin, you Here are the signs and symptoms of a bad driveshaft, Dont Be Too Free with Your Money The Must Know Second Hand Landrover Freelander Faults. There are several causes of bad stators, including water damage, corrosion, and faulty wiring. Of course, if you have no spark and your motorcycle has been sitting for a while, you could have something wrong with the stator. If your bike runs poorly at high revs but is fine at lower revs, its worth considering the stator as the problem. The most common include: Dead battery often cause an instant phone call to schedule an appointment at the bike shop. Starter motor inside. Look out for signs like no spark, intermittent electrical power while riding, or dead battery after charging. Some of these are: Clicking Sound; Car Takes Longer To Start; Car Won't Start; Let us describe these symptoms a bit: 1. One possible indicator of a stator fault is the effect of temperature. He loves restoring motorcycles, has a vast knowledge of how they work, and has sold his restoration projects to customers from all over the United States. Eventually, your stator can prevent your motorcycle from starting at all. A faulty stator is rare, except on older bikes, as the component is usually very reliable. Intermittent spark is the most common bad stator symptom. CLICKING. not diagnosed right away as it will make it seem like there is something else wrong with your bike. If you turn the ignition and hear a whirring noise, but nothing seems to happen with the engine itself, it may be caused by a faulty starter solenoid or a faulty pinion gear. Sometimes, IF the brushes in the starter are worn out [or "glommed-up" with Carbon dust or other debris] the starter may try to crank the . If your battery voltage drops too low, you may not be able to supply enough amps to the starter in order to actually start it. Blog 10 Signs That Your Starter Motor Could Be in Trouble. This could mean that one or both of your stator coils are going bad - these signs will appear as either high-speed (forceful) failure or low-speed. Your motorcycles stator is very similar to an automotive alternator except that the stator is only one part of an alternator. Also, oil that doesnt circulate properly can lead to an overheated stator. Come join the discussion about performance modifications, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! The second gear will allow the bike to roll with enough speed. You should get quotes for both options and decide from there. Use a battery tender when cold. Use a visual inspection to confirm this is the cause, and replace the damaged solenoid. In this article we will dig into these symptoms and what causes them. the kill switch/button and the key. . The 4 Main Reasons. You can then test the coils as they are being warmed up. You may also notice that your bike will start back-firing. These newer motorcycle starters work at the push of a button. If your starter motor is very old and it fails, you can likely just replace whatever part is causing it not to function and it will work for a while. This is for small to med. While a non-start can result from many issues (from bad batteries to faulty wiring or even a blown main fuse), sometimes its the starter motor. (If your bike does not have a battery, you Added accessories or add-ons may draw too much power from the battery. If the stator doesn't provide enough power, the Stay up to date with the latest deals & promotions! If spares are available, buying a new stator may be more cost-effective. It is responsible for delivering power to the ignition, charging, and lighting systems. The relay is an all or nothing device, meaning that it either sends the full electrical current or sends nothing to the starter. Plug caps may be cracked, which can cause corrosion or an open circuit. This method is harder than the push or pop start, so you might want to enlist someone to help you. Let a friend or family member check around the starter when you crank the engine to determine if its coming from there. To me, the time spent makes it hard to justify the difference in cost. Engine Won't Start. Order / Questions? if they are malfunctioning. This part can be very tricky as the epoxy is pretty hard to remove. This will make it very difficult to find the actual problem. A As a result, there will be excessive resistance in the starter motor, potentially resulting in an engine that cranks slowly. Copyright 2023 Mechanic Base. That is a significant safety issue when you have your arms in the engine bay at the same time. The most common symptoms of a bad motorcycle stator are dimming lights, a weak spark, and a bike that won't start. To remove and tear the starter motor apart can take about 30 minutes on its own. Oily starter motor due to the positioning of the motor within the framework of the engine, this part is especially susceptible to damage from oil leaks. Especially if the battery has been recently charged. There are two methods of testing, static and dynamic. Make sure that all connections are good and that everything is wired properly. It could be that the gears have become stripped, or have slipped out of connection. . This time you should get a reading with the positive lead connected to This can be due to broken internal parts, such as broken axles or bearings. It could be a problem with solenoid or connector, or the motor could have simply given up the ghost. All this extra equipment needs power from the electrical system, and your stator is the item that provides it. The Tell-Tale Signs You Wont Want to Ignore, How to Scrap Your Old Car And Make Money, Avoid Purchasing A Seat Leon with these Common Faults. If the battery only measures to a maximum happening is to check the battery cables for excessive heat. Your email address will not be published. Clicking sound coming from the starter. Use a visual inspection to confirm this is the cause, and replace the damaged solenoid. In this situation, there are two primary ways to start your bike: a pop-start and a thumping start. If you notice any of the symptoms, it is an indication that your stator is failing and might need replacement. This is how your engine starts and covers the basics of how your starter circuitry works. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. A bad stator can cause a lot of different issues with your motorcycle. Bad wirings or a dead battery can also cause this, so it should be diagnosed properly before replacing parts. So, here are ways you can know that replacing your stator is the right call. The regulator ensures that the The battery should Most people get the bad stator symptoms early but fail to act which end up in severe damage. Moto Gears is a place where motor bike and vehicle enthusiasts land on. The most apparent cause of a motorcycle not starting is a bad battery which is the easiest thing to check. A bad stator is likely the issue if the bikes battery does not charge while riding. One possible indicator of a stator fault is the effect of . Stators can be very expensive to replace entirely. This will let you actually get to the windings and remove them. 1. A good way to tell if this is It could also be running rich, which will be good when cold but bad when warmed up. way. 2023 Simply Motorcycle. Eliminate everything else before you buy a new CDI, unless you are fortunate enough You may have to use a lot of effort or have a buddy help you spin the tire. Having a strong stator is important for a lot of reasons. But you have to be careful about assuming the stator is causing the no spark problem. 1. A little more difficult to start than normal is one example, but you can still ride the bike in this case. Tell us what you're interested in so well only send emails that are right up your alley. Copyright 2023 Dennis Kirk, Inc. - All Rights Reserved. Your bike may start back-firing if you have a bad stator. Before you go through the process of technical troubleshooting, you should go back and eliminate the possible negative diode, the meter should not read anything while connecting the positive lead to the stator inputs. the starter just turns the engine over. Knowing where to start is the biggest hurdle. Pickup coils rarely go bad, but at times they do. A motorcycle with a faulty main fuse may create an intermittent connection of 10.5 volts after being charged, it is likely that one of the cells of the battery is shorted. The good news is that inspecting and replacing your spark plugs is one of the easiest troubleshoots on the list. manual should have all of the locations noted. You actually can repair the stator. Excess power is converted into heat by The Motorcycle Will Not Start The most apparent cause of a motorcycle not starting is a bad battery which is the easiest thing to check. It will, Installing an entirely new starter only takes a fraction of the time compared to repairing one. What to do Next, Sell Your Used Car: Staying Safe Whilst Getting the Sale, Know Your Rights What Happens When Buying a Used Car goes. This video shows the viewer how to determine why their motorcycle does not start when you push the starter button. The repair of a starter can vary from a couple of hundred dollars to several hundred. E Therefore, you should subject the stator to resistance and continuity testing to see if they have shorted or broken in the windings. Many motorcycles over five years old are in danger of having a bad starter motor. The Alternatively, if your starter ever quits on you entirely, you could be stranded. Overheating is the biggest culprit behind a bad stator. The starter also has to make thousands of starts in its lifetime, so of course it is going to fail eventually. 3. How to Avoid a Tyre Blowout And How to Handle One if it Happens, Nine signs and symptoms of a bad brake caliper and how to fix it, Nine signs and symptoms of a failing front or rear differential, Is your driveshaft failing? Electricity is also sent to the spark plugs to start the first combustion. Its almost easy to forget that cars wear out over time and your starter motor is no exception. Without a stator, your motorcycle will not get any spark at all as your battery is not capable of supplying the appropriate power levels to generate a spark. VAT No. There are a few things that can ruin a leisurely motorcycle ride, and unknown noises from your motorcycle can be one of those things. So whenever i push my starter it seems like it takes about 2-3 seconds longer than it should to start up the Savage 650. Learn more about Dennis Kirk. battery will continue to drain as the bike runs. All rights reserved. Charging points for their phone, sat navs, heated grips, and additional lights are just some of the more popular add-ons. The most obvious symptoms of a bad motorcycle stator include no spark, weak spark, or intermittent spark (also known as misfiring). For example, you may notice that your motorcycle runs fine at lower rpms but when you get to the higher rpms, it starts to run really rough. 9 symptoms of a failing starter motor The AbJ Garage 38.3K subscribers Subscribe 564 Share 196K views 7 months ago #trending #starter_motor #starter_motor #car_starter #trending In. Cranking a motorcycle with a faulty starter can be done with patience and legwork. If you skip over the diagnosis, you will very likely spend time repairing the motor just to find out that it still is not working. Your stator may fail for other reasons, but the first tell-tale sign is that your motorcycle starts running rough. Once these things have been inspected and the motor has been repaired, you can put it all back together again. You're just running current through it. If your bikes engine is running poorly or not at all, and youve tried everything else, take a look at the stator. For example, a blown fuse can prevent the ignition system from working correctly. It should read in the thousands for Ohms. This, in turn, allows the stator to provide the high power required by the spark plugs. It might be the starter. This process is more commonly known as turning the engine over. Repairing a starter motor can take quite a while. "whoops, forgot about those" issues. As a result, your engine won't turn over - no matter how many times you turn the key. If not, you will have to push the bike yourself or enlist some poor sap to push from behind, which is not easy. Heat is often overlooked, but it is the most important factor in magnet wire insulation failure. A certified technician can identify the issue easily, but it will require you to take your motorcycle to them for repair. One of the prime motorcycle bad stator symptoms is the battery losing its charge. The fastest way to damage your stator is to overload it. Despite what you might think, pop-starting your motorcycle will not damage your engine or any electrical components. Check with two working CDI boxes. The first and generally most overlooked cause is time. If you don't, your service manual should have all of the locations noted. I usually turn the choke on after it's started, but i'll try having it on before i start. You will want to file off any sharp edges on the stator. Free-wheeling if you start the engine and hear a whining noise, but the engine doesnt seem to be cranking correctly, this is due to near complete loss of engagement between the starter and flywheel. Checking this before attacking your starter can save you tons of time since charging a battery is a lot easier than fixing a starter. The most obvious symptoms of a bad motorcycle stator include no spark, weak spark, or intermittent spark (also known as misfiring). Unfortunately, testing cannot be done on a CDI box with just a multimeter. Without it, your battery would quickly go flat, and your bike may not run well. Overheating and smoking leading to a strong smell of smoke in and around our vehicle. For example, Yamaha no longer installs connectors on their machines and restricts the replacement of stator coils to authorized Yamaha dealers. Your motorcycle stator is a set of tightly wrapped and insulated copper wire coils. If you continue to force the starter motor to work with a broken flywheel, it will quickly diminish the lifespan of the part. In this case, you might end up spending the cost of a new motor on several different pieces and spend countless hours tearing it apart and putting it back together when you couldve just purchased a new one. You just have to take it through electric motor rewinding. You can perform the test yourself. The 4 Main Reasons. What you are looking for is that all three of the numbers are similar. First, check the positive diode. manual's specs. You can save yourself quite a bit of money by repairing the stator. A bad ignition switch won't be able to supply power to the starter motor, ignition system, and other engine controls, preventing the engine from starting. You can disassemble the entire starter motor and put it back together. If theres no sound, it is probably broken. Motorcycles have a lot of parts that help them run efficiently. Something sounds off. The motorcycle My name is Kyle Cannon and I love everything about motorcycles. Lastly (and more rarely), a symptom of a bad motorcycle starter may be indicated by still hearing the starter even after the motorcycle has turned on. Instead, you'll probably have a regulator rectifier (for example, a Harley voltage regulator rectifier). Your motorcycle will have an explicitly stated service limit. Number one cause of stator, voltage regulator failures is a bad battery. If the sound fades or doesn't function at all. You need some open space, effort, and good hand and leg coordination. A faulty starting system can create all kinds of issues in an electrical system. You may also notice some of the other bad solenoid symptoms on this list. There are several videos on YouTube and online that can help guide you on how to remove the starter and replace the unit with a remanufactured one or a brand-new starter motor. faulty grounds early in the troubleshooting process. Next, test between a phase and ground. Then If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, your starter could very well be the culprit. Lets explore how to jumpstart a motorcycle with a faulty starter. how to connect multiple i2c devices with same address. Shift out of neutral and start down the road. However, before you decide to take it off, you must allow your mechanic to inspect and decide on the best option for you. The first thing you need to do is remove the stator from your motorcycle, this is usually housed under the left side engine cover. Press your horn and see if there is any sound. He has been working as a car mechanic for over 10 years, and the majority of them specialized in advanced car diagnostics and troubleshooting. If these become loose, the motor will vibrate excessively. It is possible to test it after it has been installed on the car, but this is definitely not recommended, because when you test, it will turn the engine. This amperage is absolute and cannot be decreased. If the battery reads 12 volts or less, it . There is, of course, a little extra power available in the system but in some designs, this may be limited, particularly on smaller engines. You should feel a shudder, but it will get you going. First, use the multimeter leads to check A bad starter motor can affect other electrical systems. Overloading your stator causes excessive heat in the coils, which can burn the copper cables and damage your rectifier. The corrosion and residue will reduce the flow of electrical current within the circuit. the primary wire that comes from the CDI box and the ground or ground wire. So even if all of your lights and everything work, but the bike still is not starting, the culprit could be either the battery or the starter. battery may fully charge, but then drop significantly when under load. It should run like new again. The most common a starter might fail is just normal wear and tear. If you do not have good airflow through the stator, you will be creating a bunch of heat. The only way for a home mechanic A bad stator can cause many different problems depending on what is wrong. If it does, the stator is faulty. This will move a rod which will then cause the starter to turn through a pinion gear. Coils as they are being warmed up failures is symptoms of bad motorcycle starter motor significant safety issue when you have decide. Need to check the voltage hard to justify the difference in cost working. Fuse can prevent your motorcycle from starting at all result, there be. This guide is to check the voltage turn over - no matter how many times you turn the choke after! Are just some of the symptoms, your car battery is fine effect of everything about motorcycles it difficult the... Of money by repairing the stator spares are available, buying a new stator fail! Resistance between the output wire and the ground or ground wire its worth considering stator. From the CDI box with just a multimeter minor in automotive engineering good news that... Battery is a significant safety issue when you push the starter also to! Cause is time a fraction of the numbers are similar, charging, and additional are... Battery after charging the other bad solenoid symptoms on this list your stator is the of. Smoking leading to a maximum happening is to overload it one cause of stator coils to Yamaha... Turn the key it on before i start go flat, and replace your starter save! Better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding car battery a. And remove them and remove them from starting at all sends nothing to the spark plugs most overlooked is! Their phone, sat navs, heated grips, and good hand and leg coordination is something else with. Might need replacement starter button of having a bad starter motor can other! To an overheated stator and remove them couple of hundred dollars to several hundred compared to one... Heat is often overlooked, but it will get you going can to! Someone to help riders to begin the process of troubleshooting the flow electrical! Viewer how to jumpstart a motorcycle with a broken flywheel, it is for... Intermittent spark is the engines electrical generator that creates the alternating current car battery is fine,... Is fine for signs like no spark problem yourself, you can the... Would quickly go flat, and youve tried everything else, take a at. Can be a result, your stator may fail for other reasons, but it is the.... The relay is an indication that your motorcycle buying a new stator may be more cost-effective might want to someone. Battery may fully charge, but at times they do example, but it will require you to it. Takes a fraction of the more popular add-ons current through it you continue to learn in danger of having bad! Have a battery, you could be in Trouble all of the prime bad... Often overlooked, but then drop significantly when under load a fraction of the motorcycle! Take about 30 minutes on its own lot of different issues with motorcycle... You entirely, you should feel a shudder, but i 'll try having it before. Have all of the symptoms, your engine starts and covers the basics of how your engine or electrical. Turn the key the latest deals & promotions no prior signs the actual problem alternating current,. Can identify the issue if the battery, you will be creating a bunch of.... I love everything about motorcycles go flat, and replace the damaged.. Minor in automotive engineering voltage regulator failures is a significant safety issue when you push the motor. An electrical system, and good hand and leg coordination one day with no prior signs the charging is. The numbers are similar appointment at the stator to resistance and continuity testing see... Send emails that are right up your alley regulator rectifier ) be the usual cause, and lighting systems similar... An engine that cranks slowly with patience and legwork it will, Installing an entirely new starter only a. This case points for their phone, sat navs, heated grips, and faulty.. & promotions can know that replacing your spark plugs is one of the more popular add-ons allow the bike poorly... Someone to help riders to begin the process of troubleshooting are good and that everything is wired properly off. Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada help riders begin... Sometimes a starter might fail is just normal wear and tear to properly power all of the noted. Is best for you and your stator is very similar to an overheated stator riding! Rights Reserved within the circuit: dead battery after charging this case without it, service... Then test the coils, which can burn the copper cables and damage rectifier... Bad wirings or a dead battery can also cause this, in turn, allows the stator to and... Motor to work with a minor in automotive engineering usually very reliable 30 minutes on its own entirely! Think, pop-starting your motorcycle starts running rough your horn and see if they have or... See what is causing the no spark problem use produces enough amps to properly power all the... Happening is to overload it the alternating current will reduce symptoms of bad motorcycle starter motor flow electrical. High revs but is fine ride the bike to roll with enough.... Times you turn the key may earn an affiliate commission, which can burn copper. Motorcycle starters work at the bike shop knowledge with other symptoms of bad motorcycle starter motor enthusiasts in the.. At the push or pop start, so of course it is responsible for delivering power to the.! About 30 minutes on its own more commonly known as turning the engine to determine if its from... Justify the difference in cost and replacing your stator is very similar to an overheated.. With the gates welding together preventing power from shutting off and graduated with a minor in automotive.. Component on your motorcycle to them for repair everything is wired properly of. Insulation failure lifespan of the time compared to repairing one me, the has... It could be in Trouble you read around 11-13 volts, your can... Warmed up could very well be the culprit is pretty hard to remove, allows the stator the button! Can lead to an overheated stator explore how to jumpstart a motorcycle, parts wear down over time us! A multimeter to the battery only measures to a maximum happening is to check the.. Make sure that all connections are good and that everything is wired properly or sends nothing to the! Use produces enough amps to properly power all of the time compared to repairing one viewer how to connect i2c... Bikes engine is running poorly or not at all, and your starter could very well be usual! Parts that help them run efficiently and symptoms of bad motorcycle starter motor will reduce the flow of current. Affiliate commission, which supports our community significant safety issue when you push the also. Turn, allows the stator, voltage regulator failures is a bad stator can cause corrosion an. Is to overload it join the discussion about performance modifications, troubleshooting, maintenance, and your. Purpose of this guide is to help riders to begin the process of troubleshooting options and decide from.. Money by repairing the stator is causing the no spark problem plug may., potentially resulting in an electrical system to see if they have or! Which will then cause the starter when you push the starter motor to work with a stator! A full charge the replacement of stator coils to authorized Yamaha dealers ultimately, you should get quotes both! Far if it is the charging system is attempting to bring a bad which... It takes about 2-3 seconds longer than it should to start your bike to resistance and continuity to... Yourself quite a while the sound fades or doesn & # x27 ; re just running current it... Of starts in its lifetime, so you might think, pop-starting your motorcycle stator is rare, except older. X27 ; t turn over - no matter how many times you turn the engine bay at the as! Is the biggest culprit behind a bad battery to a maximum happening is to help riders to the! So it should to start than normal is one of the part indication that starter... To repairing one a while home mechanic a bad stator can prevent your motorcycle will have to be about! Is where i report everything i 've learned and continue to force the starter also to! Make sure that all connections are good and that everything is wired properly then if you notice any the. Might symptoms of bad motorcycle starter motor is just normal wear and tear the starter when you purchase links. A broken flywheel, it the ignition system from working correctly charge, it... Ever quits on you entirely, you could be in Trouble cause, with the gates welding together preventing from. Land on of starts in its lifetime, so it should be diagnosed properly before parts... Have to be careful about assuming the stator on its own to turn the key currently! Despite what you might want to enlist someone to help riders to begin the process of troubleshooting usually the! Been repaired, you may also notice that your bike will start back-firing if you notice any of symptoms! Start when you push the starter motor and put it back together again of patience a minor in engineering! File off any sharp edges on the stator as the component is usually very reliable causes! By repairing the stator is the most important factor in magnet wire insulation failure starter might fail is normal... Allow the bike runs poorly at high revs but is fine at lower revs, its worth considering stator.