1330cc How do I know if my starter motor is going bad?

[kscamlimited]

I have a 2015 Spyder RT Limited SE6. I've been having issues when I start my bike, the sound it makes is like a slow 'grrrrr' then it finally catches and starts. It is NOT the battery, because I just replaced it. I don't ride it everyday, maybe once every 2 weeks; and then I'm only on it for a couple hours. I was thinking it might be the starter motor. Is there any way to tell if I need a new one? Thanks! Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

[old Timer]

Have you checked your battery voltage before you tried to start it and when starting it? How are all the connections? If it drops below 12 volts, there is your problem.

 

[Mikey]

Like said above, hook a meter up to your battery and crank it up and see what you get and get back to us. Good luck!

 

[ulflyer]

Like Old Timer said: check your connections to see if they are tight, and if they are and you can get it started, ride it over to Auto Zone, Advance, etc. and they will check the battery for you.

 

[Peter Aawen]

You might want to check (ie. take off, clean all contact points & ensure shiny metal to shiny metal contact; replace; & tighten properly) not only the battery terminals, but also the connections to the Starter itself and the main earth points on the frame - especially the earth point deep in the 'steering arm tunnel' behind the LH Front Wheel - the main earth cable from the battery is secured to the frame there, and that one in particular has been known to work loose on some Spyders, especially after changing a battery and moving the cables around a bit in the process! :lecturef_smilie:

While you're there and doing that, it might also pay to make sure that the metal lugs that're meant to be secured to the end of the cables so that they'll bolt to whatever actually ARE secure on the end of the CABLE too!! I had an issue with the lug on the end of that main earth cable working loose on my 2013 Spyder, and I've recently seen a few other Spyders with similar problems... The lugs either never were secured properly to the cable ends, or maybe some movement in the cable/vibrations during use have caused them to work loose over time - I'm beginning to suspect the former rather than the latter, but either way, the end result is the same - owners will have a 'power failure' of some sort on their Spyders!! :banghead:

Just Sayin'

 

[Bfromla]

You might want to check (ie. take off, clean all contact points & ensure shiny metal to shiny metal contact; replace; & tighten properly) not only the battery terminals, but also the connections to the Starter itself and the main earth points on the frame - especially the earth point deep in the 'steering arm tunnel' behind the LH Front Wheel - the main earth cable from the battery is secured to the frame there, and that one in particular has been known to work loose on some Spyders, especially after changing a battery and moving the cables around a bit in the process! :lecturef_smilie:

While you're there and doing that, it might also pay to make sure that the metal lugs that're meant to be secured to the end of the cables so that they'll bolt to whatever actually ARE secure on the end of the CABLE too!! I had an issue with the lug on the end of that main earth cable working loose on my 2013 Spyder, and I've recently seen a few other Spyders with similar problems... The lugs either never were secured properly to the cable ends, or maybe some movement in the cable/vibrations during use have caused them to work loose over time - I'm beginning to suspect the former rather than the latter, but either way, the end result is the same - owners will have a 'power failure' of some sort on their Spyders!! :banghead:

Just Sayin'

All that & at the battery terminals, adding STAR washers - - helps too (I like them between the Lead terminal & the cable end & the lock washer between cable & bolt - bolt, lock washer, cable, Star washer, terminal.) The Star Washer bites into the Lead well & the lock washers grab the bolts. Please do not over tighten. Get them snug, then add maybe 1/4 turn extra.

 

[Br549rick]

battery connections should be wrench tight not screwdriver tight...