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techtalk:ref:genmsr01 [2019/04/23 07:44] ixl2relax [Basic Troubleshooting] |
techtalk:ref:genmsr01 [2019/09/05 16:27] ixl2relax [Starter Won't Turn Over] |
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| ===== Starter Won't Turn Over ===== | ===== Starter Won't Turn Over ===== | ||
| - | The place to start with any electrical problem is to make sure the battery is in good shape & your ground connections are solid. Go to this section of the Sportsterpedia and [[techtalk:evo:elec01|Verify Voltages & Grounds]]. The return here if all that checks out. | + | The place to start with any electrical problem is to make sure the battery is in good shape & your ground connections are solid. Go to this section of the Sportsterpedia and [[techtalk:evo:elec01|Verify Voltages & Grounds]]. If all that checks out, then return here to follow the rest of these tests. |
| If the engine/starter will not turn over at all and you have verified both voltage & grounds are good, then you need to trace the voltage to the starter. Use your volt meter on the 20v DC scale and begin checking each of the following points. This is a general overview (for any bike) of the path that power takes to reach the starter motor. | If the engine/starter will not turn over at all and you have verified both voltage & grounds are good, then you need to trace the voltage to the starter. Use your volt meter on the 20v DC scale and begin checking each of the following points. This is a general overview (for any bike) of the path that power takes to reach the starter motor. | ||
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| We can quickly check B & C. These are the more likely suspects if the engine has been running just previously. | We can quickly check B & C. These are the more likely suspects if the engine has been running just previously. | ||
| - | If the bike will not start, find out if the problem is fuel or spark related. The quickest way to tell if the 'No Start' problem is fuel, is to give it a quick shot of 'Starting Fluid'. If it tries to start and runs a second or two, then the problem is likely the fuel supply (somewhere - tank, petcock, carb, etc.). If it doesn't try to start with this short shot of fluid, then it is likely missing the spark. You can test for spark by pulling a plug or using a spare. Put the plug in a plug wire, ground the plug to the engine fins, and crank the engine. Doing this for each spark plug wire should show a good spark across the gap. | + | If the bike will not start, find out if the problem is fuel or spark related. |
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| + | The quickest way to tell if the 'No Start' problem is fuel, is to give it a quick shot of 'Starting Fluid'. If it tries to start and runs a second or two, then the problem is likely the fuel supply (somewhere - tank, petcock, carb, etc.). **DO NOT continue to use starting fluid to run the engine.** It will quickly wash the cylinders of oil. One shot should indicate whether the issue is fuel - then track down the exact source of the problem. | ||
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| + | If it doesn't try to start with this short shot of fluid, then it is likely missing the spark. You can test for spark by pulling a plug or using a spare. Put the plug in a plug wire, ground the plug to the engine fins, and crank the engine. Doing this for each spark plug & wire should show a good spark across the gap. Obviously, if no spark, it's not going to fire the engine. | ||
| This kind of dividing results can quickly help you direct your attention to the problem area for many types of issues. | This kind of dividing results can quickly help you direct your attention to the problem area for many types of issues. | ||
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| * Keep a record for later comparison | * Keep a record for later comparison | ||
| - | * It's also worth checking your timing if you still are having issues - [[techtalk:evo:engctl01#ignition_timing_-_all_models_thru_2003|Timing Info.]] | + | * It's also worth checking your timing if you are still having issues where that could be the source of the problem - [[techtalk:evo:engctl01#ignition_timing_-_all_models_thru_2003|Timing Info.]] |
| Where available, always check the Diagnostic Trouble Codes for clues to problem areas.\\ | Where available, always check the Diagnostic Trouble Codes for clues to problem areas.\\ | ||
| - | A basic multimeter is an essential tool for doing electrical diagnosis. | + | A basic multimeter is an essential tool for doing electrical diagnostics. |
