1980 shovel. Will do about 1/4 crank of engine and then nothing. Lights turn off when start button pushed. PeterV directed me to you specifically and informed me to request an electrical diagram from you. Would you be so kind as to do so?
Thanks ahead of time!
Send me your e mail address and I will scan & send it to you.. I have an OEM schematic & a cartoon,,,,, believe me the cartoon is very complete, I'll scan both.. Hopefully in a short while..
I've never built a Push-button sickle so a quick solution to your prob does Not jump right out at me, I would guess a short though or bad switch..
Have you tried a Hot-wire.? On a Kick-only it goes from Pos Batt to Pos on coil,, by-passing the switch altogether.. On your Button sickle I'm not sure where the Hot-wire goes..
BUT----
We have some handy elect guys here that may have something for you quickly---------Bolo for ShovelMike, Wright, Ace,, others...............
Tell Pete Hi & we miss him,,,,,, well,,,, I'm sure someone does anyway...............!!!
He's a good guy.. Yeah baby..!
__________________ "Fill your hands you son of a bitch"
Rooster Cogburn
Hello enuf, I encountered a similar problem with my 1985 FXEF. I took a voltage reading at the charged up, load tested battery and a reading at the starter and everywhere in between. The voltage drop at the starter was minimal, so I pulled it out and a shop that rebuilds automotive starters and alternators rebuilt my starter for $80 a few years ago and it has worked fine since. The old starter would quickly suck the life out of a good battery, making it look like that was the problem.
Since this post was not directed at me, I'm reluctant to just jump in here uninvited. However, I have seen this problem time and again.... the solution is not always the same. First off, if the battery is aged and tired, should be replaced. Any battery that's 4 or 5 years old might be due, depending on how it's been used. (A battery that sits idle in the winter won't last as many years as one that is constantly used all year round)
Be sure the battery cables are not corroded; sometimes the corrosion will creep up inside the twisted copper strands and build up resistance. If so, replace the wires. The ground strap is the most common place for this to occur. Some people run a second heavy-gage ground wire from the battery NEG directly to the starter housing.
After these basics are checked, then you can go looking deeper.
Hey y'all,
Real hard trying to figure out what the issue was via phone, 40 miles away.
But it goes something like this...
Buddy calls, bike won't turn over.
Easy stuff first. Told him to read batt voltage, 8volts. Easy enuff, toss and replace.
Now the hard stuff.
New battery, tries to start...crack...thump!
Tighten all leads. Nuthin, same noise. Trace for short, all wires good.
So he takes off the primary cover. Jackshaft's hanging there like a wet noodle.
I know the jackshaft will flop around some, but this thing's so out of wack it smacks the clutch basket on ignition. Gearshaft turns on ignition, so nuthing snapped there. Maybe guides and bushings is what I'm thinking.
Anyways, he's still fiddling...
Been a while since I've been here. (I live an...interesting life!)
Thanks for all the help.
__________________ "Is there finally and really anything to life other than food, $hit and sex?" Bubba HoTep
The outboard end of the jackshaft is held in place by the outer primary, when you remove the outer primary, the jackshaft will flop around.
How about a little more history--- has the bike sat for awhile? Or did this just start happening suddenly?
Is the thrust washer in place at the end of the jackshaft? If he's this deep into it, might as well pull the solonoid apart and clean it all up good, too.
Thanks for the reply Bigincher.
Shafts will have play, maybe 1/4"?? He described this as "just hanging there". Trying to sort this out via long distance. He's over on the island, I'm on the mainland.
Told me he found a washer in the primary case.
Guess I gotta get my ass on the ferry and get over there pdq, huh?
__________________ "Is there finally and really anything to life other than food, $hit and sex?" Bubba HoTep
Thanks for the reply Bigincher.
Shafts will have play, maybe 1/4"?? He described this as "just hanging there". Trying to sort this out via long distance. He's over on the island, I'm on the mainland.
Told me he found a washer in the primary case.
Guess I gotta get my ass on the ferry and get over there pdq, huh?
The "washer" is most likely the thrust washer that lives between the end of the jackshaft and the outer primary housing. 1/4" is too much end play; the starter shaft will bang into the clutch ring gear, not a good thing.
Still, this is probably not the reason why the dragging starter. Get on here and tell us what you find tomorrow..... I'll be around.
I did not hear back from enuf after I sent the OEM wiring schematic, I am guessing that enuf DID receive it,,,, yes.?????
Enuf gave me some more info at that time----the sickle sat in the pouring rain for 20 hrs. and the ignition had been left on all that time but the new battery was installed the Next day,,,, And,,, it was after that the prob appeared----you are aware of that I suppose..
Along with the wiring photo I also sugg'd they look at the coil which can and usually is ruined by leaving the ignition on AND can start a fire.. I had one blow-out it's side quite some time ago that had been left on overnight.. It spread greasy debris for several feet, no fire though..
Anyway,, check the coil.. I am confident you know how, it's easy and it's in the manual.. In the meantime, bring a known working coil with you and a Volt/Ohm/Amp meter..
After ignition left on overnight I would also suspect damage to the Ign. Mod and of course all wiring and circuit breakers etc..
Yes, a dime to a doughtnut that washer Is the Thrust Washer..
And yes if the start button is pushed Without the Outer primary installed,, the starter shaft will not be supported by the outer primary bushing,,, then it WILL smack the ring gear.. It must be supported..
Perhaps, after confirming the New Batt is still good, re-install the outer properly and Hot-wire after checking and/or re-placing the coil..
If it starts you'll know what is NOT damaged..
I don't know if there's a way to check the Ign. Mod, unless it's an obvious burn-thru,,, they usually make the Cust send them back to be checked,,,, soooo, if you have a spare you might bring one also,,, or a points set-up..
If I were in your shoes, with this info, these are the steps I would take..
You're evidently a fine friend,,,,,, good man..
Have a ball
__________________ "Fill your hands you son of a bitch"
Rooster Cogburn
Last edited by frisco-rigid; 04-25-2009 at 02:46 AM.
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