Engine Hard to Start, Here Are the Signs of a Weak Starter Motor Dynamo

One of the important components in a motorcycle that is embedded for user comfort is the electric starter. With the presence of this electric starter, the motorcycle engine can start and be ready to ride with just one press of a button. Therefore, you need to recognize the signs of a weak starter motor dynamo so that you can fix it immediately and prevent more severe damage.

Signs of a Damaged Starter Dynamo

There are several signs that you can identify when the starter dynamo begins to weaken or is damaged. For example, the motorcycle starter only makes a clicking sound when you try to turn it on. 

Even though the battery has just been replaced, if the starter dynamo does not spin, it could indicate that the starter dynamo component is starting to weaken or is damaged.

The wiring of the motorcycle electric starter system itself is slightly different between one type of motorcycle and another. In a cub motorcycle, the electric starter is usually simpler. 

Its components consist of a fuse, starter relay, starter dynamo, starter switch, and battery. If one of them is damaged, then the other components will also not be able to work optimally.

The signs of a weak starter dynamo in automatic motorcycles also depend on other components. In automatic motorcycles, there are a few additional components that are somewhat different from cub motorcycles.

Utilizing the front and rear brake switches, which must be pulled together with pressing the starter switch. The components themselves are not different from cub motorcycles.

Meanwhile, the electric system wiring of sport motorcycles is more complex. Where there are parts such as the coupling diode and coupling switch, which serve as current reversers when the coupling switch is pulled. 

For the components in the electric starter system of sport motorcycles, they consist of starter relay, starter dynamo, relay switch, coupling switch, coupling diode, fuse, and battery.

Read Also: Easy Tips for Maintaining Car and Motorcycle Starter Dynamos

Causes of Non-Working Motorcycle Starter

After you know the signs of a weak starter dynamo, you also need to know the causes behind it. 

As mentioned, the starter dynamo works together with other components in the electric starter system. So if the other components have problems, the starter dynamo cannot work optimally.

For example, a battery that is starting to drop can cause the starter dynamo to also have problems. Because the battery is the component responsible for allowing the starter dynamo to spin. 

The battery voltage in good condition should be 12.50 volts, and when the ignition key is in the ON position, the battery voltage should not drop below 11.00 volts.

If the battery voltage drops below 10.00 volts, there is a high possibility that the battery is starting to drop. You can see this from the sound of the horn that is no longer loud, and the turn signals that are not very bright. 

The sound of the horn and these lights are part of the electrical system, which is directly loaded on the battery. So if the battery drops, it will certainly affect both.

In addition to the battery, another component that you can identify as a sign of a damaged starter dynamo is the button or starter relay. The starter relay is an automatic switch that connects when supplied with low voltage electricity, which then opens the electric current with high voltage.

If the starter relay is damaged, there will be no clicking sound when the starter switch is pressed. Whereas if only a clicking sound occurs but the dynamo does not spin, then the starter dynamo itself is experiencing damage. 

Additionally, if the relay is damaged, it usually causes a short circuit so that the dynamo will spin even if the starter switch is pressed.

The starter dynamo is generally located around the engine, usually near the magnet block in cub and sport motorcycles. Because the starter dynamo is directly connected to the starter pinion, which then connects to the one way starter. The one way starter is located at the back of the magnet block.

For automatic motorcycles, the starter dynamo is generally placed in the CVT section. And close to the position of the crankshaft or pulley. The damage that can occur to this dynamo is very diverse, ranging from broken magnets, starter brushes that have worn out after prolonged use, to short circuits in the copper wire winding.

Then on the starter pinion that is directly related to the starter dynamo, you can also identify the signs of a damaged starter dynamo on this component. 

Damage to the one way starter can be indicated by the condition of the dynamo spinning, but the engine does not spin. This often occurs in motorcycles that have been used for a long time.

The existence of this starter electronic system indeed makes it easier for users when they want to ride. You will feel how important this component is when the feature is damaged or problematic. One of the parts in the starter electronics is the starter dynamo; when this part is damaged, the vehicle engine cannot be started.

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