Starting problem

Energy One
Johnnieye

Johnnieye

Member
I have a 2003 Bulldog with 4800 mi., when I hit the start button the starter sometimes makes just a spinning noise and sometimes tries to crank the bike over. I have replaced the battery with a Deka, 310cca, same problem. I tested the new battery with a voltmeter, 12.9v before starting but the voltage drops to 9.8v while trying to crank the bike over the first time. After three tries the voltage drops to 9.6v when trying to start and 12.4 when not. I'm thinking the new battery is bad. What should the voltage drop be ? Could it be something else ? If it is the battery, any suggestions on brand /size ? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
 
P

Preston

New Member
Just went through some starter problems myself. Mine would make a spinning noise but it wasn't turning over the engine. Sometimes it would turn the engine over. Pulled starter out and I took it to the mad russian next to big dog. He rebuilds starters and alternators. Ended up having a starter clutch that was going out. Cost $50 and had it back running the next day! Good luck with your bike.
 
Tom Chop

Tom Chop

Active Member
What`s Happening At Big Dog?

Preston did you look into the BDM windows? What`s going on in there? Is there any activity? Help us out - you`re there in Wichita, we need news about our manufacturer, or should I say - former manufacturer. Not to worry, I`m just still in a state of denial. I still hate to accept the fact that BDM is no more, DAMN.

Tom Chop :choppersmiley:
 
Slow Vince

Slow Vince

Active Member
Johnnieye said:
I have a 2003 Bulldog with 4800 mi., when I hit the start button the starter sometimes makes just a spinning noise and sometimes tries to crank the bike over. I have replaced the battery with a Deka, 310cca, same problem. I tested the new battery with a voltmeter, 12.9v before starting but the voltage drops to 9.8v while trying to crank the bike over the first time. After three tries the voltage drops to 9.6v when trying to start and 12.4 when not. I'm thinking the new battery is bad. What should the voltage drop be ? Could it be something else ? If it is the battery, any suggestions on brand /size ? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Click to expand...
Favorite Daughter has a variation of this problem with her Harley. Only when warm, SOMETIMES will engage momentarily, then "spin". Strongly suspect starter clutch, but have not torn it down [yet] to confirm or deny. Fairly common with Harleys, but usually with much higher mileage. Often happens with no warning, like 100 miles from nowhere!

All Jaws, Spyke, never see the problem again.

Regardless my witless prattle, please post the answer when you find it?
;^}
 
erldawg

erldawg

Guru
RRRUFF said:
Sounds like the starter clutch to me also. Check the soleniod contacts also.
Click to expand...
X2
In addition when putting a new battery in you should charge it up with a trickle charger to verify that the batt has it's maximum charge before using it. Otherwise it's possible it'll aquire a memory at the lower voltage.
 
Bowhunter

Bowhunter

Well-Known Member
I had a '99 Bulldog, and it was a battery eater. I changed the battery every 2 years and it seems that the voltage on your battery is very low but I am not the man to ask for absolute numbers. Consider the Braille battery that is still listed on the Group Buy page, my buddy just put one in and it really spins the motor! Good luck resolving the starter issue.
 
Johnnieye

Johnnieye

Member
Thanks Steve, I already ordered a Braille battery through the Group buy page, read a lot of good reviews on them here.I figure I might as well start from the beginning I'm not a mechanic but I like to look at a problem myself and learn a little something before I HAVE to hand it over to a mechanic. Between this forum and my service manual I'v been able to get myself out of the woods so far. Thanks again
 
BigDogBro1

BigDogBro1

Made in the USA
Ok, here's my 2 cents.

Sounds like your battery is OK at this point.

When it does crank...will it start? If it does GOOD IT WORKS.

If the starter spins but won't engage the clutch ring gear, then it may be either the starter solenoid that won't slide in far enough due to sticking or the bendix at the end of the starter shaft won't engage or engage far enough to the ring gear.

NOTE:
In my 2007 $100+ service manual, I can't find any information, illustrations about the starter, WTF, am I wrong?
 
Last edited:
Dakotabos

Dakotabos

Well-Known Member
Calendar Participant
Troop Supporter
my buddy Sam has the same bike same problem his turned out to be bent (Just slightly) jack shaft. Something to look at :cheers:
 
2004BC

2004BC

FREEDOM!!!
BigDogBro1 said:
Ok, here's my 2 cents.

Sounds like your battery is OK at this point.

When it does crank...will it start? If it does GOOD IT WORKS.

If the starter spins but won't engage the clutch ring gear, then it may be either the starter solenoid that won't slide in far enough due to sticking or the bendix at the end of the starter shaft won't engage or engage far enough to the ring gear.

NOTE:
In my 2007 $100+ service manual, I can't find any information, illustrations about the starter, WTF, am I wrong?
Click to expand...
:iagree::iagree::iagree:

Definitely the bendix gear is not mechanically meshing or engaging with the ring gear on the clutch hub for any of the reasons stated above. Misalignment, worn or broken teeth on ring or gear, solinoid not strong enough to fully seat bendix gear, etc etc. Time to disassemble and investigate. Manual with exploded view diagram would certainly help you in your troubleshooting. FWIW mine is doing the same thing and I just bump the starter button until it engages then it fires right up and doesn't spin. I should fix it properly but I'm procrastinating. Good luck!!:cheers:
 
Johnnieye

Johnnieye

Member
Thank you all for your help. haven't had a chance to mess with it yet, too much OT right now. These days i guess thats a good thing? Thanks again, John
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top