1976 harley sportster xlh starter How do you remove it and is it a starter problem if when you push the button the starter spins fine but does not turn the motor over - thanks for any help denny?

Answer 1

To expain the starter system, when pushing the button this sends power to a relay. The button is a micro switch and it would burn up if it had to pass a lot of power. The button sends power to the relay which is a heavy duty switch which now sends power to the starter solenoid. The starter solenoid has two functions, when it receives power from the relay it energizes a electro magnet which pulls in a solid metal plunger. The pluger is attached to the starter drive which ingages the ring gear on the clutch hub. When the metal plunger which's the end of the solenoid it complete a Heavy-duty electrical connection between the battery and the starter motor, which turns the starter drive, which turns the clutch hub, which turns the motor over.

Start at the battery and check for 12.5 volts, make sure all connections are cleaned and tight. Do the same at the solenoid and motor. At the relay find the wire that come from the button switch and see if power is there when the button is pushed. No power, then go to the button and check it. If there is power then follow it down steam to the starter. A 12 V trouble light or volt meter is all it should take.

Denny, sounds like your starter Bendix is bad.