1998 voyager problem

[consolidater]

Don't know if this is the right place to post this but shall see. I have a lot of experience with the voyager 1200. Have a friends bike which is 1998 with a problem I can't diagnose. When you go to start the bike the starter whines under heavy load bike just barely turns over. Starter is good does the same thing with the starter out of 1997 with only 20,000 miles on it the motor in the 1998 has about 21,000 on it but the bike has about 78,000 on it. The starter drive clutch freewheels as it should and has the same free play in it as my 1997. I tested the voltage going to the starter it is only a fractional drop as you would expect. Tried swapping the CDI boxes bike started a tiny bit better. His turn signals quit working the are intermitten when I tried my CDI box the turn signals started working properly. Again he tells me when the engine is cold it starts as it should. When the battery is up charged all the way on a battery maintainer it starts a little better. But when the engine is warm even with direct 200 amp charger to the starter it still starts hard. Engine runs good . Turned the motor over by hand with a half inch drive rachet and compression is normal.

[debron]

Daniel,

I don't know if you still have the problem but I moved your post to the "General - Voyager XII" section so maybe more people will see it and someone will chime in with suggestions.

[Mr Jensee]

I am not an electrician and don't play one on TV but I have had issues in the past on previous motorcycles with similar problems. It could be that the battery terminals are dirty or loose and not giving you the amperage you need to kick over the starter. Voltage and amperage are not the same. It could read great voltage but not enough amps to turn over a starter. Starters require a lot of amps. I assume your battery is good. Trace all the Large 10 gauge wire leaving the battery and anywhere it screws into a connection like the starter solenoid make sure the connections are tight and clean. Make sure your starter solenoid has a good ground. If you can put an amp meter at the starter see what its drawing when you turn it over. My guess is that is your problem.