M1100 Starter Replacement

[Mhanis]

These bikes are very picky with regards to grounding. I remember a time when I took the battery out to change it and when I hooked it back up, I connected a ground meant for the ECU to the main ground. The situation you're having now sounds very similar to mine. Check your ground locations.

Thanks for the tip Nakid, but I am a bit confused; check my ground locations for what? To make sure they are clean? What do you mean that you connected the ground wrong? When I changed that battery I took 2 bolt out of the old battery and installed 2 bolts on the new battery; how could that (did that) change your ground locations?

Mark

[NAKID]

Thanks for the tip Nakid, but I am a bit confused; check my ground locations for what? To make sure they are clean? What do you mean that you connected the ground wrong? When I changed that battery I took 2 bolt out of the old battery and installed 2 bolts on the new battery; how could that (did that) change your ground locations?

Mark

On mine, when I disconnected the battery, for what even reason (can't really remember, it was about 12 years ago) I had to remove the ground wires as well.

[Mhanis]

Ok fellas, vacation is over and I am back to farting with my bike.

I have pulled the spark plugs and turned the engine over so now I know it isn't seized. I tried connecting the started directly to a battery again and got nothing but sparks, nothing from the starter. Just to satisfy myself I tried "testing" the starter on my Suzuki to make sure I was doing it right and sure enough I got a reaction from that starter.

So at this point I am draining the oil, pulling the crankcase cover and removing the starter, right? I have the workshop manual to walk me through the steps.

Mark

[koko64]

I heard there was a bunch of 1100 starters from an alternative supplier that were prone to failure. What brand starter is it? If possible get a Denso or quality aftermarket replacement like  Rick's, Electrex, Motowheels.

[Mhanis]

I suspect I'll to remove it to see the manufacturer, Howie posted a link to Rick's for me previously.

Mark

[koko64]

Thankfully, it's not technically difficult just a pita.

[Howie]

You did make sure you have a good ground?  Voltmeter from negative battery post to a bolt or unpainted area on starter.  Attempt to start engine.  You should read less than 1/2 volt.

[Mhanis]

I'll do that when I get home Howie.

Mark

[Mhanis]

I get about 10v when I touch my leads to the negative battery post and the starter itself and I press and hold the start button.

What is that telling me? Bad ground?

Mark

[Speeddog]

If you've got a 10v drop from the starter body to the negative battery terminal when you hit the starter button, yes, you've got a bad ground between the battery and the engine.

[koko64]

You tested the starter with direct power or did I miss that?

[Mhanis]

I did test the starter directly and got nothing.

I'll check the battery ground this evening.

Mark

[Mhanis]

Sorry guys, I am a dumbass.

When I check the negative battery post to the starter it reads 10MV not 10V. 

I was just put there re-checking everything including the juice into the starter and it was when doing that back to back that I noticed the little "m" that I missed last night.

So that means 1/10th of a volt?

By the way, I went ahead and removed the negative battery ground and cleaned everything up just to do it.

Mark

[Speeddog]

10 mV is 1/100 of a volt, essentially zero in this situation.

OK, ground no longer a suspect.

[Speeddog]

I've seen a shifter claw spring break, and the little bit of wire got jammed in the starter gears.

I've seen the idler gear seize on the shaft.

Roached starter seal, starter oiled up.

All of those, you need to remove the alternator cover.