Starter Issue - Not relay/Solenoid

[JP10]

My sled won't start. I have checked the relay/solenoid and it is not the problem (been there, done that last year).

The other day, it started normally in the morning, but the next time I started the sled, it was weak cranking and just barely started. This continued ofr 2 or 3 starts until the next time there were 2 or 3 weak cranks and then nothing. I started it off the clutch and continued riding for 300 km with no issues other than having to start it off the clutch if I shut it off.

Now when I turn the key to the start position, it makes a kind of whirring noise.

I called my dealer, and explained it and he doesn't think it is the starter, but a "one way starter clutch". However, he also said that they have never had a problem with a Phazer starting motor of the 500+ sold.

However, after following posts on here for the past few years, I believe ot may be the issue where the magnets rotate out of phase (green marks out of alignment) in the starting motor because a long bolt comes loose. In fact, I was planning on tearing the sled down at the end of the season to locktite these bolts!.

Does this sound like it could be this issue? It is a 2007 Phazer Mountain Lite. Anyone have any other suggestions

I was also told not to start it off the clutch because if it was the one way starter clutch, the broken parts would likely get thrown out through the engine case.

Has anyone rode for any length of time with a bad starter by starting off the clutch? I'm busy until mid next week and won't have time to look at this but want to get out again next weekend!

Also, FYI I was surprised at how easy it was to start of the clutch. Temps were about -2 deg C for the last two days of riding. I guess it would be noticeably more difficult at about -10!

Thanks for your help,

JP

 

[cannondale27]

Yes starter sounds like problem.

 

[buddhahead]

This happened to me about 2 weeks ago.. Besides the starter and clutch, it took out the the ring gear (?) that had to be ordered from Japan...Mine had a weak start for most of Saturday and Sunday morning. I figured it was the battery, but swapped batteries and it was not the case. I have not got the "official" write up from my dealer, but YES is taking care of it.

 

[Jeffz]

X2 on the Starter being out of phase (phaze?).

 

[Tbyrd]

Starter!

 

[Mooseman]

This tutorial explains how to remove and fix the starter.
http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php?t=64045

That is the long way to do it though. I cheated by just cutting off the metal tab that prevents starter removal. Mine was fine but did it anyway as a preventive measure. The 2007's are notorious for this problem. BUT, check yours thoroughly to make sure it isn't the overrun clutch gear ("one way starter clutch") on the starter that is defective. By your description, it does sound like the bolts have come out and is out of alignment.

No problem starting it using the clutch. If indeed the "one way starter clutch" has given out, all it would do is spin freely on the ring gear. It won't fall off and get thrown around inside the engine.

 

[UpstateNY_sleds]

Thats a pretty big dealer if they sold 500+ phazers. ....if I am reading post right. sounds like throw out bearing...which means starter..