Starter Repair

[Kirbo]

May be a dumb question but can I remove the endcap of my starter while the unit is in the bike? The end with the brushes, I want to see if the brushes are any good. I seem to have a dead spot, button on solenoid doesnt work either when it doesnt turn over. Its a 1996 Wide Glide. Can I get it back together again without throwing tools at the wall, lol?

[14Frisco]

Yes, you can (at least on a 1994 FLHR you can...)
You may want to disconnect your battery first...

It looks something like this:

[Kirbo]

Thanks, my solenoid looks good and I put a button starter on it but once in awhile even that wont turn it over, I was thinking of just pulling the end off the starter itself and check the brushes but I dont want to have to remve all the stuff on the primary side if I dont have to. Just to get a glimpse. I was wondering if I could get it back together again while still in bike.

[64 Panhead]

Had the same problem on my 97 EVO, put new starter relay in for $ 10.00 buck an it works fine now, may want to try that..... 64   

[JohnS_Rosamond]

If you have the pushbutton on the end of the starter solenoid and the starter wont turn, it may be that your contacts in the solenoid are burned.  The motors on the starter are really pretty robust, so I would start at the solenoid anyway (because to get to the brushes I'm pretty sure that you will have to pull the starter motor off the bike).

[Kirbo]

OK, thanks guys. I'll just get ambitious and pull the whole thing out, that way I can check wires out better too. End of the season anyways, nothing but rain, wind and cold here for past week.

[guido4198]

fwiw...
Another vote for the solenoid as source of your problem.

[Kirbo]

Can the solenoid be replaced on the bike or does it require removal?