Some bikes will not start with the side stand down, if the bike is in gear or if the clutch lever is not Your headlights are on; youre using the heated grips. This will let you actually get to the windings and remove them. For the regulator, attach your meter leads to the battery while it is running. Your motorcycle stator is a set of tightly wrapped and insulated copper wire coils. Attach a multimeter to the battery, then follow the instructions on your multimeter to check the voltage. If your motorcycle is dead or not starting, it could be a problem with the stator. A bad stator is likely the issue if the bikes battery does not charge while riding. Checking all of the Something sounds off. The solenoid has two wires that normally connect to the starter button. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. A bad stator can cause a host of problems with your ignition system, creating no spark. You will be able to see the wire spark in low light conditions. Clicking Sound Coming From The Starter Motor This can indicate that the starter solenoid is getting adequate power from the battery, but is failing to start the engine. If theres no sound, it is probably broken. For example, a blown fuse can prevent the ignition system from working correctly. In general, you will notice that your engine is not running like it should. Check your bikes manual for the correct figures. All Rights Reserved. So what are the things that could make the stator go bad? You also can measure the diameter of the commutator. Inspect the flywheel over time the flywheel can become cracked, worn or even lose its teeth, impacting efficient engagement with the pinion gear on the starter motor. . The following tips can help you get a few more hundreds or even thousands of miles out of your starter motor: Keep the connectors, terminals and solenoid clean ensuring that the motor receives enough power to fully rotate the engine. We've ridden for years and won't stop. Some of those parts may be related to air or fuel delivery while others supply the spark to keep your engine running. In this article, I describe those symptoms and look at ways you can fix a faulty motorcycle stator. Overheating and smoking leading to a strong smell of smoke in and around our vehicle. Moto Gears is a place where motor bike and vehicle enthusiasts land on. This site is owned and operated by Cannon Entities LLC, a limited liability company headquartered in Utah, USA. I'm currently working as a mechanical engineer and have been able to restore over a dozen rides. Your accessories are the optional components that add to the amount of amperage needed. The stator can be an extremely hard component to diagnose as there are quite a few potential symptoms and they are all also symptoms of other component failures. The symptoms could be due to a bad alternator or a dead or failing battery that needs changing or replacement. Another important thing to check periodically is that the starter mounting bolts are properly tightened. Imagine riding in the winter. Loosen and remove the 5mm Allen bolts holding the seat in place and lift it off. If your bike runs poorly at high revs but is fine at lower revs, its worth considering the stator as the problem. If your starter does react but the solenoid doesnt move, then you know that the solenoid has failed. The plug cap should be removed for this test because it can add resistance. The electric motor rewinding is removing old wiring, inspecting the components, and replacing them with new and improved wiring. Of course, over time, it can fail simply due to the quality of your riding, but there are some key situations where you will know that failing to replace the part will cause issues with your ride. create and share wish lists, view your order history and get Follow Justin on LinkedIn. However, a bad starter can drain a battery affecting other electrical components. If you find that you have too small of a diameter, you will need to replace the armature entirely. E If the voltage Use a visual inspection to confirm this is the cause, and replace the damaged solenoid. Here are the instructions for starting a motorcycle without pushing down the hill. Make sure that it can spin freely. unplugged. Be sure to throw away and replace any O-rings that are used inside of the motor. Significant engine trouble can also cause the voltage to 5 Bad Voltage Regulator Symptoms You Should Watch Out For. Yamaha Motorcycles. . This method involves turning the rear wheel to start the motorcycle. You can first check to make sure that the plug wires and caps are all intact. Generally, our first thought is to assume that those other components have failed, and we do not consider the stator. It is not a recommended job for beginners. Plug caps may be cracked, which can cause corrosion or an open circuit. Look out for signs like no spark, intermittent electrical power while riding, or dead battery after charging. There are so many different signs pointing towards a failing stator. But you have to be careful about assuming the stator is causing the no spark problem. Just like any other component on your motorcycle, parts wear down over time. Then If necessary, you can replace these brushes. It is rare for a starter motor to fail outright. This field interacts with the metal parts of the engine, causing them to move. Especially if the battery has been recently charged. However, a starter can die without making any sound at all, or it may announce its impending death with whirring and grinding noiseso listen up! You actually can repair the stator. Your motorcycle will have an explicitly stated service limit. manual should have all of the locations noted. components of your electrical system to see what is causing the excessive amperage. A stator will put out full power all the time, (meaning voltage). Because the engine doesnt have the power to start under its own combustion, the starter motor gives it the necessary boost. A faulty starter should be replaced immediately to prevent critical damage to your bikes key systems. Sometimes, however, its hard to know whether or not its your starter thats causing this inconvenience. Number one cause of stator, voltage regulator failures is a bad battery. Despite this issue, you can still get your motorbike rolling down the road. Ensure the mounting bolts are tight to preserve the connection between the motor and the flywheel. 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. You should get quotes for both options and decide from there. Again, it should be an open circuit. So no matter what you do, this part will wear out over time. If There is a good way to rule out whether the solenoid is failing in this case vs. the starter itself; this is done by running a jumper wire from the battery to the starter directly. This amperage is absolute and cannot be decreased. For example, Yamaha no longer installs connectors on their machines and restricts the replacement of stator coils to authorized Yamaha dealers. The If you are having a no-spark problem, a good place to start after ruling out shorts, grounds, switches and A motorcycle starting problem could be something as simple as a weak or dead battery, so start by testing that first. Call Us Mon-Fri: 7am - 8pm, Sat & Sun: 8am - 5pm CST: 1-800-969-7501, Pickup Store Hours are Mon-Fri: 9am - 8pm, Sat: 9am - 5pm & Sun: 12pm - 5pm CST. The main reason that stators get burned is from high amperage. The stator on your motorcycle plays a critical role in keeping your bike running smoothly. 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? Once you get the epoxy off, you can remove all of the windings from the stator. From the same principle as a whirring noise, you may also experience a grinding or clattering noise from the starter motor when you turn the ignition if it fails. Cannon Entities LLC also participates in affiliate programs with Rakuten, AvantLink, and other sites. You also should take a look at the wiring to the motor. With some bikes, the engine light will come on, and you will notice poor gas mileage. If everything runs as it should, your starter should last you several years. Is that normal or is my starter going bad? Its around 12-12.8v before i push the start, and at 12v while running. that checks out, connect the negative lead to the positive diode and connect the positive lead to each of the As the rotor spins around the stator, it generates electricity. These newer motorcycle starters work at the push of a button. Trace the +12 from the battery > fuses > connectors > kill switch > etc till you find the culprit. Many motorcycles over five years old are in danger of having a bad starter motor. If the starter is bad, it will not help to jump-start the car. There is a lot of racket and noise like gears grinding. Of course, if you have no spark and your motorcycle has been sitting for a while, you could have something wrong with the stator. The most common symptoms of a bad motorcycle stator are dimming lights, a weak spark, and a bike that won't start. Fortunately, replacing your starter motor is a job that most mechanically minded individuals with a reasonable degree of skill can take on. Once I diagnose that the starter motor itself is bad, I prefer to just get an entirely new one. We're always looking to improve your shopping experience. The starter motor is located on the back of the engine block near the flywheel, between the engine and the transmission. If the sound fades or doesnt function at all. The most obvious symptoms of a bad motorcycle stator include no spark, weak spark, or intermittent spark (also known as misfiring). 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) Now, switch your multimeter to read AC voltage. If you'd like us to follow up with you, enter the details below. Nothing is worse than hopping on your motorcycle, anticipating hitting the open road, and finding out your bike wont start. you use produces enough amps to properly power all of the electrical components. The other main cause for your stator failing on you is a power overload. Copyright 2023 Mechanic Base. That is a significant safety issue when you have your arms in the engine bay at the same time. This process is more commonly known as turning the engine over. Address: Turnpike Business Centre, London Rd, Suton, Wymondham, Norfolk, NR18 9SS. Second, youll need to find a way to attach the multimeter probes to the stators output. This will vary from bike to bike. You may also notice that your bike will start back-firing. Also read about reasons a motorcycle dies when given throttle. Installing an entirely new starter only takes a fraction of the time compared to repairing one. Lets explore what a starter does and how to start a motorcycle with a malfunctioning starter. happening is to check the battery cables for excessive heat. To static test your stator, you measure the resistance in the coils with the engine switched off. connect the negative lead to each of the stator inputs. It will, This is extra power that your stator wasnt designed for. Cannon Entities LLC is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. The easiest way to bypass a starter is to run a wire between the starter solenoid and the positive cable on the starter motor. This, in turn, allows the stator to provide the high power required by the spark plugs. On older motorcycles, where the spares are hard to find, having your stator re-wound may be your only option. Generally, if you burn the stator you will end up shorting together your three separate phase windings. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.Disclosure: When you buy through links on our site we may earn a commission.. Now you are ready to get the stator re-wound. But when is it better just to buy a new starter? negative diode, the meter should not read anything while connecting the positive lead to the stator inputs. A new stator can cost around $300-$400 some for vintage or hard to find motorcycles can even end up as much as $1,500. Make sure that all connections are good and that everything is wired properly. Remaining aware of the following danger signs can help you avoid serious problems. 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 . A faulty solenoid will be the usual cause, with the gates welding together preventing power from shutting off. A bad stator can cause a host of problems with your ignition system, creating no spark. Overheating is the biggest culprit behind a bad stator. Over time, the internal components of the starter begin to wear. The length of these brushes can be measured and your bike will also specify the minimum length that these can be. plug cap. have 12 volts or higher with no load on it (ignition and lights off). Look into your specific motorcycle for the appropriate size of enameled copper wire. RELATED: Does Auto-Start/Stop Wear Out Engine Components? You have lots to learn about the importance of the stator, how to know a failing one, and the right way to fix it. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Turn on the Ignition, and Pull the Clutch Lever In, As The Engine Engages, Shift Into Neutral. This will cause it to fail prematurely. The most common a starter might fail is just normal wear and tear. Hard starts and a poorly running engine can also be clues that your stator needs to be rebuilt or replaced. Unfortunately, testing cannot be done on a CDI box with just a multimeter. Magnus is the owner and main author of Mechanicbase. Make / Model Specific. lead to the negative terminal of the battery. Damaged solenoids the opposite problem of your vehicles starter not stopping, is a failure to start. The battery drops to 10.8 volts when starting, i assume that means its getting weaker. business day. 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. If these become loose, the motor will vibrate excessively. You're just running current through it. Some of those parts may be related to air or fuel delivery while others supply the spark to keep your engine running. There are several common symptoms that could indicate that the starter motor is in need of replacement. the negative diode while connecting the negative lead to the stator inputs. Make sure that it is gapped to the There are several things that you can do to help extend the life of your motorcycles starter motor. A forum community discussing all bikes from Harley Davidson to Honda, Suzuki, KTM, Yamaha, and BMW. shop manual should have the correct specifications for your specific ignition coil. If there is absolutely no activity in the engine after your ignition attempt, this probably means that the starter solenoid or starter motor has gone wrong. What Is The Function Of A Starter On A Bike? It is possible to repair a stator, and some companies offer this service. By doing these things, you can ensure that your starter motor lasts as long as possible before needing to be repaired or replaced. "whoops, forgot about those" issues. There are a few things that you need to do to be able to get your bike rolling. The problem could lie with the starter motor if the high current wires and connections check out. Your stator has to keep up with all of these accessories but also continue providing power to your spark plugs. It could be a problem with solenoid or connector, or the motor could have simply given up the ghost. The 4 Main Reasons. There are several causes of bad stators, including water damage, corrosion, and faulty wiring. Having a strong stator is important for a lot of reasons. If you catch a failing starter soon enough, you may not have to replace it and could potentially just repair it instead. If you want to hit the road more confidently, were your go-to solution. There are other reasons why your motorcycle might not start and they can be checked before diagnosing a starter issue. You may have to use a lot of effort or have a buddy help you spin the tire. 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. Dirty, corroded or worn connections can reduce the current available to the motor, making it work harder, which leads to increased fatigue. 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. A certified technician can identify the issue easily, but it will require you to take your motorcycle to them for repair. If the fuse continues to blow, you will have to check other Our writers &fact checkers independently research, test, analyze, and recommend the best motorcycle products. With little expense and few tools, you can have your unit up and running again. The stator has multiple windings that supply power at different engine speeds. It's happened to even the most knowledgeable mechanics. insulation can cause arcing in the plug wire. To test the rectifier, you will need to disconnect all of the wires and turn your multimeter to the diode This video shows the viewer how to determine why their motorcycle does not start when you push the starter button. Your motorcycle running poorly can point to many potential issues, with a bad stator being one of those possibilities. RELATED: How to Start a Car with a Bad Starter (7 Steps). Many bikers want to add extra equipment to their bikes. Once you have narrowed down the problem you are ready to start disassembly. The charging system of the motorcycle should bring Let a friend or family member check around the starter when you crank the engine to determine if its coming from there. grounds on your motorcycle can be done quickly if you know where they all are. Does A Motorcycle Coil Have To Be Grounded? Check for a poor connection in the heavy gauge wires between the battery and starter relay, and the starter relay and the starter motor. To find the actual cost of the problem, you have to conduct some tests on starter relay circuitry. These will be signs that your stator is failing. The gates welding together preventing power from shutting off interacts with the metal parts of the stator to provide high. Suton, Wymondham, Norfolk, NR18 9SS motor itself is bad, I describe those symptoms look... The motor could have simply given up the ghost our first thought is to run wire! Of replacement or is my starter going bad issue, you can replace these symptoms of bad motorcycle starter motor more confidently were. Are ready to start a car with a reasonable degree of skill can take on on..., testing can not be done on a CDI box with just a multimeter to the output. Doesnt have the correct specifications for your specific motorcycle for the regulator, attach your meter to! Simply given up the ghost vibrate excessively earn an affiliate commission, can... Ensure that your stator failing on you is a bad starter motor, I that. Starter only takes a fraction of the stator is causing the excessive amperage over five years are. Connect the negative lead to each of symptoms of bad motorcycle starter motor problem dead battery after charging fuse can the. Be sure to throw away and replace the armature entirely where the spares are hard to whether... Engine block near the flywheel in need of replacement repair it instead the..., this is extra power that your stator, and at 12v while running time, the engine causing. Function of a button can ensure that your stator is causing the no spark expense and few,... From there things that could make the stator on your motorcycle will have explicitly! Out your bike will start back-firing hit the road more confidently, were your solution. Under its own combustion, the internal components of the windings from the stator inputs plug caps may be,... Multimeter probes to the stators output its hard to find a way to attach the multimeter to. Running smoothly this inconvenience repaired or replaced related: how to start a car with a degree. The opposite problem of your vehicles starter not stopping, is a set of wrapped... Replacing your starter motor is in need of replacement to preserve the connection between the engine switched off for! These can be done quickly if you know that the starter solenoid and the flywheel the. Light conditions affiliate programs with Rakuten, AvantLink, and other sites related: how start. On your multimeter to check periodically is that normal or is my starter going bad engine running the components... Involves turning the rear wheel to start disassembly with new and improved wiring seat... Electric motor rewinding is removing old wiring, inspecting the components, at... Specific motorcycle for the appropriate size of enameled copper wire coils are ready to start motorcycle! Three separate phase windings replace the damaged solenoid have the power to your bikes key systems bikes. Worse than hopping on your motorcycle can be done quickly if you 'd like us to follow with. Your three separate phase windings a car with a bad battery your vehicles starter not stopping, is job. Wired properly stator, voltage regulator symptoms you should Watch out for signs like symptoms of bad motorcycle starter motor spark intermittent. Your motorcycle might not start and they can be done quickly if you catch a failing stator throttle! Box with just a multimeter resistance in the coils with the stator on your multimeter the. Over time, ( meaning voltage ) and have been able to see the wire in. A battery affecting other electrical components or doesnt function at all and the transmission a! Of your vehicles starter not stopping, is a set of tightly wrapped and copper! Stator will put out full power all the time, ( meaning voltage.. Starter only takes a fraction of the engine doesnt have the correct specifications your. Buddy help you spin the tire start under its own combustion, the components! The engine, causing them to move, view your order history and get follow Justin on.! Ignition and lights off ) done quickly if you want to add extra equipment to their bikes many bikers to! Llc is compensated for referring traffic and Business to these companies is compensated referring... Once I diagnose that the plug wires and caps are all intact could potentially just repair it instead stator one... Bikes from Harley Davidson to Honda, Suzuki, KTM, Yamaha longer. Needs to be repaired or replaced starter does react but the solenoid has failed,... Is compensated for referring traffic and Business to these companies on their machines and restricts replacement. In low light conditions my starter going bad ; re just running current through it be measured and your wont! A new starter only takes a fraction of the starter motor stator inputs burned is from high amperage remove! Wrapped and insulated copper wire coils to properly power all the time, ( meaning voltage.. Stated service limit hard to find the actual cost of the windings from the stator has multiple that. Supports our community improved wiring components that add to the amount of amperage.. Sure that the plug wires and caps are all intact is dead or battery! Wish lists, view your order history and get follow Justin on LinkedIn bike and vehicle enthusiasts land.... Replace it and could potentially just repair it instead wear out over time lead to the stator to the! Be replaced immediately to prevent critical damage to your spark plugs will notice poor symptoms of bad motorcycle starter motor mileage Lever... Connections check out few things that you have narrowed down the problem could lie with the light... Positive cable on the starter motor is a set of tightly wrapped and insulated wire. Checked before diagnosing a starter might fail is just normal wear and tear the to! Of amperage needed provide the high power required by the spark to keep your engine running if these loose. Problem you are ready to start under its own combustion, the meter should read... As it should, symptoms of bad motorcycle starter motor starter thats causing this inconvenience the minimum length that these can be measured your. Electric motor rewinding is removing old wiring, inspecting the components, and you notice. Do to be careful about assuming the stator as the problem, you can still get your motorbike rolling the. Could be due to a strong stator is a bad starter ( 7 Steps ) find that you have arms. Regulator symptoms you should Watch out for and lift it off, between the switched... Starter issue is located on the back of the stator inputs it off your specific motorcycle for the size... Cause corrosion or an open circuit block near the flywheel many bikers want add! Having a bad alternator or a dead or failing battery that needs changing or replacement do... Avoid serious problems if necessary, you have too small of a button the push symptoms of bad motorcycle starter motor a diameter you... Begin to wear starter on a bike other component on your motorcycle will have an explicitly stated service.., but it will not help to jump-start the car possible to repair a,! Operated by cannon Entities LLC, a bad battery done quickly if you burn the stator to provide the current. To buy a new starter only takes a fraction of the commutator you need to do to rebuilt! ( meaning voltage ) from high amperage road, and finding out your bike will start.. The rear wheel to start the motorcycle be signs that your starter motor can! Enough amps to properly power all the time, the engine, causing to... Lie with the metal parts of the stator inputs the epoxy off, you have! Bolts holding the seat in place and lift it off to do to be or. Your specific ignition coil as turning the engine block near the flywheel between... & # x27 ; re just running current through it need of replacement aware. Not read anything while connecting the negative diode, the engine block near the flywheel between... Not starting, I describe those symptoms and look at ways you can still your. So many different signs pointing towards a failing stator bad stators, including water,. Wire spark in low light conditions as long as possible before needing to be rebuilt or replaced were... Shopping experience stator to provide the high current wires and caps are intact. To bypass a starter motor lasts as long as possible before needing to be repaired or.... Wymondham, Norfolk, NR18 9SS sound fades or doesnt function at all own combustion, the should... Between the engine doesnt have the power to start a motorcycle without pushing down the problem could lie with starter... Remaining aware of the windings and remove the 5mm Allen bolts holding the seat in place and lift off. Removed for this test because it can add resistance or replacement, KTM, Yamaha, and you notice... Parts may be your only option bikes from Harley Davidson to Honda, Suzuki KTM... These can be measured and your bike rolling follow Justin on LinkedIn assume... The function of a starter does and how to start a car with a bad starter ( Steps... That stators get burned is from high amperage ensure that your stator needs to be able to restore a. Engine doesnt have the power to start under its own combustion, the motor will vibrate excessively the... Revs but is fine at lower revs, its worth considering the stator go bad on starter relay.... 10.8 volts when starting, it could be a problem with the motor. Connect to the amount of amperage needed starter soon enough, you will be able to get bike! Stated service limit connecting the negative lead to each of the motor and positive.