Sprint St 955i won't crank over properly

[mikefahey]

Hi, pressing starter button with clutch in and the starter barely turns.
Charged battery which is new and it is exactly the same.
The battery is well charged and the horn and lights are fine.
If you hold the starter in for a few seconds it turns slightly and then only the solenoid clicks?

Wait for a minute and it turns slightly again?

Doesn't seem 'Seized' will rock engine in gear and it moves.

What should I test for first please and has anyone else had the same experience?
Thanks
Mike

[CharlieS]

I would check your cables, from battery to solenoid, then solenoid to starter. I would also check your ground cable, it's connection, and condition of the cable at the connectors. All connections need to be clean, and tight. Same at your battery.
If all of this looks good, try jumping across your solenoid and see how starter turns. If she turns the way she should, then you either have a solenoid that is going out (contacts dirty and or damaged), or you don't have enough current going to the coil on the solenoid to pull it in properly. That would lead you to checking those circuits.

I try not to talk about electrical things, but sometimes I break my own rules. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will contibute shortly.

Good luck,

[PaulM]

As CharlieS said plus the standard cables on the 995i are on the light side so you could fit larger starter cables while you have it all apart.Have a search there are posts about it on this forum somewhere.
Cheers Paul

[KitNYC]

That really sounds like a dead battery, though there are a few other things it could be.

It would help if you added the model year of your bike to your profile info, as there were two completely different 955 engines with completely different electrical systems.

If you have an early motor with automotive type alternator, just do the battery checks at the beginning of this link:

http://www.triumphrat.net/speed-trip...r-upgrade.html

If you have the later motor with separate stator and R/R, may as well do all the tests.

Also, be aware that trying to start it when there's not enough power to turn it over can, in rare cases, shatter the starter clutch. That's an expensive repair!

Cheers,
-Kit

[milky]

had a similar problem with my old 955i (99) and replaced the battery and rebuilt the starter and the problem was a starter clutch bearing failure behind the clutch basket which caused the starter shaft to bind up against the crankcases when the starter was engaged luckily the problem was diagnosed quickly and a new needle bearing fitted and old remnants removed from sump and the bike started so easily after that , i diagnosed it by removing the alternator and the cush drive rubbers and the shaft had lots of sideways play...hope your bike does`nt have this problem , probably a dodgy battery and battereis always suffer in colder weather...

[mikefahey]

Thanks to all for your prompt and informative replies.
Let's go checking!
Mike