1150GS, 102,000 MILES: starting issue

[ELIMINATOR]

Earlier today starter motor span over, then just made a whirring noise for a second. Turned off , tried again, and it started. Same again when leaving work, time for a starter motor methinks. Googled the symptoms and.........................

Whirring Noise
If your car is making a whirring sound when you turn the ignition then you may have significant issues with your starter motor. The best way to describe the sound is to imagine a blender quietly whirring away. The sound may only last for a second or it may continue for longer.
The reason for this whirring sound is due to the pinion gear not engaging with the flywheel. This is almost always a sign of a faulty solenoid and you will need to buy a complete starter motor replacement.

Available on ebay for mid to late £50's.

Clock didn't rest, so it isn't the battery.

Not missing anything am I?

 

[jeremyj]

Sounds as though dog is not throwing in take it off clean it up it will be fine

 

[Ian J Hartley]

The windings of the solenoid coil are OK otherwise you would have additional symptoms. Which means that the solenoid plunger is probably sticking.

Just remove and clean as jeremyj says. A light lube might help.

The poor things probably all clogged up with clutch dust.

 

[hops]

Depending on your spannering ability it might be worth a strip down and there's some good info here

 

[ELIMINATOR]

Thank you for your advice/

 

[Steptoe]

To check the solenoid put a live to the terminal on the starter where the thin black wire plugs into. You should hear the solenoid activate.

 

[ELIMINATOR]

will do, although the fault has not reappeared. Maybe using it for a week, sorted it? Maybe dislodged any clutch crap stuck to it?

 

[Spud]

Mine was a bit "sticky" for a while and did exactly this. Simple enough to take off, clean and lube up with some graphite. Not come back since. (and better than the embarrassment of taking several attempts to start surrounded by other bikers !!)

 

[ELIMINATOR]

8,000 miles later, still OK