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Sometimes my starter goes "whirr" but doesn't engage
http://www.ducatittandf1.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=10971		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Shasta McNasty [ Sun Oct 19, 2014 6:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Sometimes my starter goes "whirr" but doesn't engage
Sometimes the starter on my '88 F1 just goes "whirr" but doesn't engage. Most often this happens when the outside temp is cold, or if the battery is low.

I suppose this is a bad sprag clutch, but any other ideas? The sprag clutch replacement looks to be a bit of a pain!
Author:  MarcFX [ Wed Oct 22, 2014 5:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sometimes my starter goes "whirr" but doesn't engage
The starter sprag clutch is known weakness on the later 750 early 900 engines, battery starts to get tired and that doesn't engage the starter clutch correctly and the sprag clutch fails. But if you can catch it in time with a nice new battery there is some hope, worth trying a new battery first as from memory it is not especially cheap to fix. .
Author:  618F1 [ Wed Oct 22, 2014 9:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sometimes my starter goes "whirr" but doesn't engage
And if you still have a stock-spec battery, 185 CCA, you may always have the problem. MikeV
Author:  Shasta McNasty [ Fri Oct 31, 2014 8:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Sometimes my starter goes "whirr" but doesn't engage
It definitely is related to battery status--starts fine on a fully-charged battery.

I have a modern AGM battery (205 CCA).

Sounds like my suspicion that it's the sprag clutch (and that it's kind of a pain to fix) is correct. :x

I just replaced the spacer behind the alternator rotor in my 1998 ST2, so I am pretty familiar with what's needed to get down to the starter sprag, including tightening the alternator nut properly at the end :( . Once the alternator is off, it's not much more work to get to the sprag.

Thanks for the input.
Author:  618F1 [ Fri Oct 31, 2014 11:46 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Sometimes my starter goes "whirr" but doesn't engage
But you said it is related to a charge on the battery! Why rush to condemn the sprague when the solenoid, or the (still-low CCA) battery, or the state of the battery are possible faults? Put a 330CCA low-tech [now] Odessey battery in it and see what happens. Or, ride it every day to keep it charged. MikeV
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