How To Test Motorcycle, ATV, & UTV Starters

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If it doesn’t start, it doesn’t run. And if it doesn’t run, what’s the fun? Starter Motors play a crucial part in starting your machine, but when do you know if your starter is bad or not? In this video we demonstrate how to test to see if your OEM starter needs replaced or if it's just time for a new battery. Starters give you the reliability and hard-cranking performance you need to get you to where you are riding from and back. When looking for a new starter motor Rocky Mountain ATV/MC has got you covered.
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[@brucelee9243]

My motorcycle stopped turning over one day. I tested the starter solenoid and the pulse generator coil. They were okay, so I took out the starter and tested it exactly as shown in this video. It sparked a ton and there was no movement. I'll be replacing (rebuilding if possible) the starter & my bike should be back on the road. Thank you for the helpful video!

[@Silverserpent141]

That's exactly what just happened to me. Did your bike start up after a new starter?

[@waynedavis9951]

​@alexus335i7 any luck with yours?

[@brianspencer9806]

Just because a starter turns does NOT mean it is still good. The real question is how much torque will it produce and to test that you need a dial type torque wrench a vice and most difficult to obtain, the max torque spec for your starter. Then connect the shaft to the torque wrench and clamp the starter in the vice and bump the starter with a 12 volt car battery and see what the reading is. They may spin but still won't turn the engine over for several reasons.

[@thefishingreel1449]

Hi Brian That is such a good replie. I have the same problem. Srarter spins but I can stop it within a second with a gloved hand. Is that normal for a 1200cc MC starter motor.

[@integr8er66]

@@thefishingreel1449 That might still be ok since the starter has a very small gear and the driven gear is larger thus you get mechanical advantage, but I can't say for sure. I did lean a lot more when researching for my problem and I found my arctic cat has an internal automatic compression release, and if the intake valve lifter clearance is any more than 3 thousands it won't open the valve the little bit required to relieve the compression on startup and even with a new starter, solenoid, and a car battery it would not turn over. adjust the intake valve to .003 and boom, fixed it.

[@russellcool5276]

Russell 79TuLlpLN

[@boum]

Finally the comment I was looking for, agreed that just checking the starter spins with no load isn't representative of real-world conditions. Thanks Brian.

[@Nikosakii]

What’s your alternative then

[@Herco28]

Work flow should be negative to starter body then negative to battery. Positive to battery then positive to starter motor. Otherwise you might the sparks before you have time to put on the safety glasses 😁. Thank for the vid. You guys make great and very helpful content. 👍🇿🇦👍

[@billbrown5813]

Hahaha,,, I know you are being serious here, but I find this funny. touch the post with hot, if it spins,,,,, starter good if it don't spin, starter bad Makes for a good video, but not always the case. You can have a different results, for example if starter is under a load or starter hot vs cold I have seen cases in the above where a starter appears to be good, but was actually bad. Don't get me wrong here,,, I love you guys, keep it up.

[@kusayhameid1987]

Bill Brown i agree. Same thing happened to me. Tested my motor and got it cranking but thats easy when its not under a load. So it wasnt able to spin while being installed on the bike. So it was bad

[@billbrown5813]

@@kusayhameid1987 This was a lesson I learn the hard way. You never forget those lessons. Good Luck on your bike.

[@999benhonda]

as we all know, safety glasses always protect you from sparks...lol

[@turtleb01]

This kind of "low" current electric sparks won't burn your flesh, if that is what you are concerned about. The only risk is that those sparks might start a fire if you have something easily flammable nearby.

[@gabe5360]

@@turtleb01 WOOOOSH

[@prmhighflr69]

The most sensible and most easiest way to check your starter thank you for the video

[@johnsxn661]

You can do the same test by using a screwdriver and placing it on top of both connections on the starter relay and a spark will appear and the starter should turn or not depending if its good

[@PrevailArmy]

If it don't turn does it have to mean the starter is faulty. Could it be anything else

[@xzouix]

This is supercool and very helpful!! Thank you for putting out these short video tutorials.

[@nzbarbers3868]

I love the way you explained it, which is fast and easy. Thanks alot.

[@markcregger4433]

Can you do that with it connected or do you have to removeit from machine ?

[@AndrewMan1445]

Need to remove it from the machine, to make sure that you can eliminate JUST the starter being bad.

[@kidambikrishnan5027]

Thank you I felt by connecting to the body it may earth and there will be problem I will try this

[@Smalltechguy]

Nice explanation and simple. I have done a few of these but though maybe on these Kawasaki 300 that the connection might be backwards. But even just trying to turn the gear by hand, it still won't budge. It's brand new....grrrrr

[@dineshkumarnkdinesh1197]

Sir i have same starter you used and i connect terminals you have connected like that but it create sparks at battery and also motor

[@900bz]

My starter sometimes clicks sometimes just makes a spinning sound depending on the voltage on the battery

[@stephengiampetro8026]

Same did you figure this out

[@akbarhussain1767]

Hi Rocky Mountain, thank you for your fine tips for testing Starter Motor's, thank you ..

[@tuansuthrorassdeen7447]

Thanx,I got the info I was looking for.

[@preachingjesusministry7201]

Thanks for showing this video so that really means I have a bad starter

[@mauromorgado651]

Thanks from Brasil

[@rmatvmc]

De nada! Obridago por assistir nosso video. Esperemos que vc tenha gostado!

[@jims7813]

In my application, there is an intermediate gear which then drives the Flywheel? on the engine. This intermediate gear only transmits power in one direction. In the other direction , it just free wheels (maybe using pawls or a"clutch"). I can hear the motor running, but no engine rotation. So can the starter motor be running in reverse and just spinning the intermediate gear?? Because, if in the correct direction, the flywheel/crankshaft would be turning. A bench test of the motor shows it running freely. I don't know any torque figures.

[@razvancristiano]

Hello! My starter is turning when tested on the table, but not mounted in the ATV.The current consumption is over 20Amp on the table and 28Amps the stall current.

[@Indiauntoldstory]

hello sir i am from india can we use this type motor for making fan using fan blade

[@gavinlucas2539]

Lmao

[@dyt7899]

cleaned my starter and resembled it, now it turns in wrong direction, how do i revert the polarity to run correct rotation?

[@bourridh]

hi , i got the same problem how did you solve it?

[@geegrafix]

Big problem doing what he said. It works great if your starter is good. But since the idea is to test if it's bad, this is not good. If the starter has gone bad due to an internal short, you may as well be touching both sides of the battery terminals with your hand...

[@samsonkeishing6346]

hi brother thanks you showing to how does starters work so I will understand explain

[@BeardedOmen]

Is there a way test for the amount of torque that is being given off? 92 HD Sport Glide and I'm thinking it's going bad and that's why it can't get the engine to turn over. Like the torque that's being put out isn't enough to engage the clutch.

[@stevepowell4946]

Thanks

[@djmobn]

Dustin d legend respect

[@thecam280show2]

just wondering if there should be continuity from the positive terminal to the negative?

[@cameronlambert8946]

I go to test my new starter that I just bought to see if it will turn over and After I ground the cable to the starter and I apply the positive cable to it I just see sparks fly and it doesn’t turn over why is this ?

[@brandonatkins9087]

I'm having the same problem. Did you find out why

[@davidgoble2236]

@@brandonatkins9087 did you find out why lol

[@ronenronen9411]

Hello . I connected the starter relay to the battery and it starts and stops It means not good. But when it is connected to the motorcycle and tries to start it spins. Thanks for the help

[@squiretaylor963]

When the spark plugs out it turns over great but in it gets a half a turn?

[@brianspencer9806]

I have the same problem and I have replaced everything other than the starter and even followed one stupid wild goose chaste to adjust my valves so now I have just purchased a new starter as well. If this doesn't get it IDK where to go next.

[@WoWhacka]

What about a starter motor that works fine on a bench test and works fine in ATV without spark plug in, but once the starter is under load (in the ATV cranking under compression, starter motor makes a loud screeching noise and appears to have lost it torque? Any ideas?

[@brianspencer9806]

if you have tested the battery, and cable and cable connections and starter solenoid then I'd say the starter

[@CbrF4i600cc]

Can the starter break and cause grinding sound on the inside? I hear grinding noise and can't shift gears.. I thought the grinding was coming from differential but maybe it's the starter?

[@ljg0889]

Hey i have a starter... i have testet it with 12 volts but its not working. But sometimes i tapp the starter with a hammer it work. And 1 min after it dont work.

[@xzouix]

Stuck brush(es)?

[@PILATUS1968]

yeah but what if you apply some pressure to the shaft and dont turn after turning while free? does that tell me that is bad?

[@keithstephens756]

Starter is grounded from the positive to the housing. One of the graphite holders is made on the housing and the other is insulated. Is it normal

[@ratneshchandel]

what is the ampere rating of motor

[@troyeager8877]

I got a brand new battery. Two months later with minimal use it would not start. I replaced starter relay. Pulled out starter and tested with battery charger. It worked fine. Went back to auto part store got the battery replaced. It started up. Next day it wouldn't start. Any ideas? I do have a permanent trickle charger and winch hooked up. If that matters.

[@397coney7]

My starter has three posts on it. I’m I feeling lucky?

[@haugndog]

I am getting a nasty noise occasionally when starting the quad. We just replaced the starter clutch and it is still doing it. I checked compression, check the bottom end with the spark plug out and it feels great when rotating.it only happens when cranking over. All drive gear from the starter to the tarter clutch look great. Starter cranks over great, but we are getting that intermittent noise. Any ideas? I am tempted to change the starter just to eliminate it. Any help is much appreciated.

[@adityadevtarase7256]

NiCe Thanku Good Information

[@vincyboy5233]

Hey Guys my ATV is not starting I think the starter motor was not mad for it 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️ I wanna know what size starter motor to use 🤔

[@said8756]

If i do the same and starter starts but after a few seconds sticks and makes weird noise it means that it is dead?

[@jimmysbarandgrill524]

Starter working good when spark plugs are out..... When I put the spark plugs back in..... Starter seems like it can barely turn the motor over

[@victorreyes8852]

Need to know the starter for a Raptor 1700 is located on the scooter?

[@jakeg4595]

What if you have a good battery and you start the bike and it cranks over really slowly and the positive cable gets hot? I have that problem on my 2006 Husqvarna TC450

[@cristianmoreno7000]

did u figure out what it was going thru same thing thinkin its a bad starter solenoid

[@kaanaydogan5130]

Bad connection somewhere making resistance

[@marcculliford9022]

I'm having issues with my bike battery is full but it turns over like its dead. really slow how to test if its pulling to much power

[@WoWhacka]

My ATV starter motor struggles to crank past the compression stroke, cranks perfectly without a spark plug in, any ideas?

[@keeganfoster1792]

Matt Lee weak battery?/try wacking the starter with hard object if it helps speed it up starters wore. If not batterys probably weak

[@brianspencer9806]

@@keeganfoster1792 Could be a resistive connection too, a bad cable, or the starter itself even if it looks fine inside and spins on the bench, mine has been open twice, all components cleaned, bushes are good and free and still the same issue, all other components have been replaced and still the same problem, I think the permanent magnets may lose their magnetism. My 2008 Arctic cat does this and it only has about 500 miles on it, so it definitely isn't worn out.

[@dipeshkumar9615]

My 10mm wire goes to burn so advise for that

[@earlcrump7858]

I have a 1997 Yamaha fzr 600R. I laid my bike down a while back on the right side ever since that happened now when I push the button to start my bike it won't start but I can push started with no problem. I did everything you said in the video and my starter is good at first I thought it was a starter before I tested it so I bought a new one I even bought a new solenoid and it still won't start when I push the button what could be the problem when I push the button a red light comes on indicating oil I don't understand my oil level is perfectly fine. Please help I'm tired of push starting my bike it weighs 515 lb

[@user-uw1fm2ip7e]

Rpm?

[@XanCraft21]

Can i use a smaller power source if it uses 12 volts dc? I’m trying a motor similar to that one with two 6 volt batteries and i get nothing, i doubled the voltage and still nothing. Is my motor bad or does my generic 12 volt power source need more amps?

[@mahendrasingmahale68]

Great information

[@waterfordMARTIN]

My starter motor has 9 volts on the body when tried to start my yamaha..something is wrong

[@user-mv3pp1mz5u]

My starter makes the noise when I try turning bike on but won’t crank

[@JC-Joshua]

Could I connect this to my bike battery charger instead of the bikes battery

[@loriessing5275]

What tool is needed to remove starter from yamaha 2000 1100 v star

[@whisperproductions9880]

I accidentally took my starter apart, I put it back together and now it just spins and my bike doesn't turn on. 2017 kawasaki zx6r.

[@ponylifestyle5995]

How do I connect it ?

[@elizabethasher8232]

What if the starter turns over once with the battery and the cables and when I double checked doing the same steps as the first time theres nothing

[@rmatvmc]

You probably have a dead spot. This can happen if there is poor contact, a short or open at the commutator (Several metal tabs on the armature that the brushes ride on inside the starter). Sounds like it's time to replace it. Some starters can be rebuilt, but for most people, I would recommend replacing the whole thing to save some headache. -Charles

[@jefferyyoung5401]

I tested my starter after rebuild and it seems to be working g properly, when I installed it the motor sounds ike it spins but does not engage the flywheel to crank the engine over. I am at my wits end!

[@dennisbeck7892]

Make sure your battery is fully charged. Usually the culprit. If battery is charged and good, you could have a ground issue.

[@technologyguy101]

Worn-out Bendix

[@guillermokmendoza3404]

Jeffery Young try fliping the magnets, its turning the opposite way

[@davesmith6359]

Sportsman won't start. I can start it by jumping the solenoid. Replaced the starter solenoid combo and same problem. Ignition?

[@rvelandi1919]

Dave Smith. If you direct jump the solenoid and still have the same problem then the problem might be the ignition switch or the kill switch.

[@dennisbeck7892]

First make SURE your battery is fully charged. Second, check that all of your grounds are tight.

[@adisviewpoint3174]

How much time does a battery last if I use starter motor continuously ??? Please reply to my answer earlier

[@dennisbeck7892]

Depends on the battery. Under a load, depending on the load, batteries will vary.

[@demijoker4160]

I try to start the bike and all you hear is the starter but no turn over. Loud starter noise but passes starter test. What's wrong?

[@rmatvmc]

It's hard to say. I would recommend checking your machine to make sure your engine is getting fuel and spark next.

[@chaseflynn9263]

My atv is turning over but will not start. It will only make a zzzzzing noise. Any suggestions?

[@scottwilliams3665]

Fuel or air is the problem

[@jimmysbarandgrill524]

Bendix

[@MIXMAKER108]

SIR THIS 12V MOTOR WORK IN 24 V BATTERY

[@brianspencer9806]

Not for very long. A field wound starter works well like that but not a permanent magnet motor.

[@LimothySmith]

What if your starter motor is chrome plated?

[@brianspencer9806]

So what does that have to do with anything?

[@webersongalvani1880]

Coloca legenda em português nos vídeo

[@joet6990]

Does anybody here actually answer any of the questions in the comments? What would happen if you used a higher voltage battery?

[@Chocoboranger]

This kills the starter (if its not rated for higher voltages)

[@brianspencer9806]

He's right, you can't get more power out of the same size starter, power is heat, and the heat has to be dissipated.

[@cylenbrandt8812]

Starter test good but don't turn on the bike what can be the problem than

[@brianspencer9806]

The starter

[@ProTurbo1988]

what is the ohm reading ?? between the positive and negative

[@brianspencer9806]

very very low since the motor is not turning it's just the resistance of the windings which is less than one ohm

[@Gabriel-er8pp]

my voltmeter doesn't even work.

[@juanguevara6729]

My same how to fix? What wrong!

[@nickni610]

Проверил, блин! Дети в саду так моторчик проверяют-крутит или нет!? Показал бы ещё фокус с реверсивным пуском. Деградация аудитории

[@russellcool5276]

Russell 79TuLlpLN

[@Nick10114]

Mine makes a weird spinning noise when I touch the wire to the starter solenoid and never stops any idea what the problem is? I replaced the solenoid and and I’m about to install the starter.

[@Pint76]

Bearing shot