Whats a Bad Starter Sound Like?

[Tpr430]

Wondering what a bad starter sounds like? 05 Sportsman 600 wont start. Battery is good. All I hear is a grinding coming from near the battery. Thanks!

[blueline15]

Grinding is very likely the solenoid. Also usually means it is working. Also usually a sign the battery doesn't have the amperage to start the machine.

Has the battery been load tested? How old is it?

Here is a quick test. Turn the key to the ON position. Put it in neutral with the parking brake set. Follow the red positive cable to a small device mounted near the battery. Thats the solenoid. Also likely what is grinding. There should be two terminals. On the other terminal, another red cable going to the battery. Take a bare piece of metal, like a screwdriver, and lay it across both bare terminals on the solenoid. Do not touch the frame!

If the machine starts to turn over, the solenoid is bad. If the machine still doesnt try to start, its either the battery or the starter. Load test the battery, if it fails, replace it. If it passes, its likely the starter, and its likely the brushes in the starter are worn.

[NaturalElement]

Usually nothing, or a spinning whining sound. All the noise you hear before the engine starts running on it's own, is a result of the starter. If the bike turns over it's probably not the starter. Is is cranking?


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.510136,-81.581248
Ryan
Natural Element
www.earthh2ofire.com

'09 Sportsman XP 550

[NaturalElement]

Sorry, I missed the grinding part. When that happened on my truck it was a bad ground wire. Corrosion had eaten about 6 inches up into the wire casing, resulting in a bad connection. Listen to the guy above me first, his post wasn't there when I started writing.


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.510132,-81.581245
Ryan
Natural Element
www.earthh2ofire.com

'09 Sportsman XP 550

[Tpr430]

Thanks guys! Will be on it tomorrow.