Starter problem

[Stiles]

So, my trusty '02 Sprint has an issue. For the last day or two, when I hit the starter button I intermittently get partial or no engagement, just a whir as the starter turns without turning the engine over. Sometimes it'll catch and work fine, other times just a whirring noise.

I think the starter clutch may be on the way out. If it was a car, I'd change the bendix drive. Since it's not a car, I'll have to open it up some night after work this week and see what the verdict is.

Bleah.

Anyone else have this happen to them? If so, what was your actual cause? We've not yet fixed a Triumph for this particular issue, ever.

TIA!

- Ed

[CLB]

That sounds like a sprag clutch issue. That isn't altogether unheard of on triples. I'm not sure on that year if it's an engine-out job.

But...
The sprag depends on rapid acceleration to engage. That acceleration comes from the starter spinning up.
Make sure your battery is in good shape and fully charged. Slippage resulting from a sluggish starter can actually damage the sprag.
Check that all of the battery cable connections are clean and snug. That's:
Pos and neg at battery.
Ground on engine.
Both high current connections at solenoid.
High current cable at starter.
Corroded contacts internal to the solenoid can also cause trouble.

Most folks (not me because I'm contrary ) believe that energy conserving oils can cause sprag or clutch slippage. Given the extremely small chance that I could be wrong, I'll ask what oil you are running.

[oldndumb]

+1 wot CLB said.

I'm glad he mentioned that slow cranking can damage a Sprag. That is something that is often overlooked during starter problem threads.

Another item of note regarding Sprags for 05+ Sprints is that Triumph beefed up the design sometime between 06 and 07. If you have to replace one for an 05+ you will receive a beefed up one. If you do the removal and replacement yourself, you will have to whittle a tad on the engine case.

Bendix, wots a Bendix?

[KitNYC]

Good news is that the sprag is not an engine-out job on our bikes. ('02-'04 955i, not sure about the others.) Bad news (well, maybe not for you...) is that the factory manual calls for a factory tool. (T3880017)

I don't know this bike in as much depth as I do the 885 (& here's hoping I never do!!!), but the mantra over in the T3 forum is "always be sure you have a good battery with a full charge, else you'll kill your sprag." Sprag replacement requires splitting the cases on those bikes.

Cheers, HTH,
-Kit

[oldndumb]

Originally Posted by KitNYC

Good news is that the sprag is not an engine-out job on our bikes. ('02-'04 955i, not sure about the others.) Bad news (well, maybe not for you...) is that the factory manual calls for a factory tool. (T3880017)

I don't know this bike in as much depth as I do the 885 (& here's hoping I never do!!!), but the mantra over in the T3 forum is "always be sure you have a good battery with a full charge, else you'll kill your sprag." Sprag replacement requires splitting the cases on those bikes.

Cheers, HTH,
-Kit

the tool is not absolutely needed for the 05+ if you are experienced. There are pictures re Sprags in earlier threads.

[deller4210]

If I recall, there have been a few sheard crankshafts due to loose hardware that retains the sprage clutch. Anyone else recall this issue?

[Stiles]

Some notes:

Battery is new (less than six months old) and a quality OEM Yuasa.

Bike is kept on a tender at all times when not being ridden (my original battery lasted 5.5 years).

The crank nut which sometimes works loose on '02 955s was pre-emptively checked and loctited a year ago - no crank failure for me!

Bike has been on Triumph Mobil 1 for the vast majority of it's life, with one or two Mobil 1 full synthetic 15W50 oil changes thrown in here and there.

I work at a dealership so special tools are no problem.

I shall certainly check all the harness connections, solenoids, relays etc before digging into the engine.

We'll see how it goes. The improved clutch and sprag set for the newer 1050s runs something like $600 for the parts alone IIRC so I'm not in a real rush to throw parts at it if the cause is something less expensive.

[Jase907ie]

I had to change my Sprag clutch back in November 2007 ON MY 05 1050. I wrote a detailed thread with pics on the unit. You will need 2 gaskets, sprag bearing and drive gear as some come as a kit and some dont. They are expensive. No t a hard item to change. The factory tool they talk of is so you can stop the crank from turning whilst undoing/doing up the socket headed bolt. To remove the bolt, a impact gun is sufficient.

[deller4210]

Stiles, did you get it figured out yet?

[Stiles]

No, not yet. I've been super-stupid busy with work. We (meaning I) scheduled 3 weeks' worth of service in five days last week.

Spring is apparently here with a vengeance. Glad we're hiring another tech...

I'll be looking at it when I do the 36,000 mile service in a week or two. Keeping the battery fully charged has kept the problem from recurring thus far.