Terrible Starter Clacking

 

Yamaha Virago 1100 on 'R' reg.  Difficult starter.... now has a terrible
clacking sound and the starter does not connect with the drive to start
the bike.  Happens even though battery is up to charge.  Does this mean
I need a new starter motor or is there a simple fix?
TIA
--
Biking for 37 years.
GOM

 

Terrible clacking sound could be starter solenoid above starter motor
pulling in then dropping out so either weak battery, bad earth/electrical
connection or relay under seat failing. Next is starter not connecting to
drive so possibly rings inside starter motor slipping or one way
clutch(£140) on end of starter shaft failing. A quick test is undo 3 bolts
on cover to starter relay and remove cover. Get a friend to push the starter
button and as the starter solenoid pulls in, assist it with a push using a
screwdriver. If the engine turns over OK then fault is on the solenoid side.
If the starter spins but doesn't turn the engine over then its the starter
rings or one way clutch. See link below for more info.

Bob

http://www.vsoc.org.uk/vsoc_faqs/vsoc_faq_1100starter.htm

 

Bob Dodds wrote:

Thanks Bob.  I was hoping for a quick fix..... I think it is a weak
battery, but the starter has been difficult even under full charge.
Would I be better replacing the whole lot... what would that cost?  I
don't want to get stuck at Farmyard or Bulldog... this will be the first
time I've taken this bike.
Hasn't Yamaha sorted an easy fix for what is obviously a known weakness?
Thanks again

--
Biking for 37 years.
GOM

 



earth/electrical

starter

starter

terrible

The starter motor itself is only one possible problem and shimming the slip
rings is the cheapest fix but remember I'm only going by what you have
described. Then it depends if you are doing it yourself or paying someone,
because to get the starter off you have to remove the nearside crankcase
cover to access the circlip on the end of the starter shaft. To pay someone
to go this far you may as well get the one way clutch replaced at the same
time. If you are doing it yourself then the £140 cost of the one way clutch
and only a couple of pounds for the starter ring shims means adding the
shims to the starter as a first try could be worth it.

I would do it in stages; first replace the battery and clean all connections
plus the engine earth down by the rear brake lever pivot. Then see if this
clears the problem before spending more on the starter system.

Cost in 2003 when I did mine myself so no labour was as roughly as follows.
£140 one way clutch
£5 for 2 starter shims
£60 Starter gear upgrade
£35 battery

As you have to drain the oil its worth doing an oil change at the same time.
I saved the cost of a gasket kit by using a stanley knife to ease off the
original crankcase gasket.  It was a lot at the time but 3 years later its
been worth it.

Bob

 



Hi Bob,
Just as a matter of interest where in the UK are you?  I guess you can
see what's coming next.... ;))

--
Biking for 37 years.
GOM