tbird 900 starting problems

Discussion in 'Triumph General Discussion' started by tbird, Feb 26, 2015.

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  1. tbird

    tbird New Member

    Feb 26, 2015
    0
    1
    trentside
    Hi, when I press the starter button sometimes it turns over half a turn and then skids out, any ideas lads?
     
  2. thebiglad

    thebiglad Old fart, still riding !

    Sep 25, 2013
    5,064
    1,000
    Central France
    Is this an EFi bike? If it is, there is a known issue with the ECU monitoring the battery charge level and if it considers that the level is low, it will give the symptoms you describe - if I've understood them correctly.

    If it's an earlier 3 cylinder model it could could the sprag clutch on it's way out.

    Provide full details of the bike and you'll get more response - we're not mind readers ;):(
     
  3. stevethegoolie

    stevethegoolie Elite Member

    Oct 16, 2014
    2,452
    800
    East Riding of Yorkshire
    The 900 is the triple, and the sprag clutch could be suspect. Is the battery FULLY charged? It needs to be as a poor battery encourages sprag clutch woes - and you don't want that!!:eek: I believe that the sprag makes strange noises if it's fercked, but I've not had any problems with mine yet - so far - but I suppose there's still time, so no first hand knowledge.
     
  4. tbird

    tbird New Member

    Feb 26, 2015
    0
    1
    trentside
    Hi, it's the 1998 Thunderbird 900 (not the Sport), carb model, with about 40,000 on the clock, just fitted a new battery and that'll be checked today. thanks, Rob
     
  5. thebiglad

    thebiglad Old fart, still riding !

    Sep 25, 2013
    5,064
    1,000
    Central France
    Hi Rob, did you do the normal battery commissioning procedure?

    1. Fill battery with supplied acid, then leave for at least 30mins to settle and soak;
    2. Charge for at least 3hrs, then leave to settle for 1 hour before installing in the bike.
     
  6. tbird

    tbird New Member

    Feb 26, 2015
    0
    1
    trentside
    I did all that and I also tried jumping the battery with the car battery to no avail
     
  7. sprintdave

    sprintdave Nurse,he's out of bed again

    May 25, 2014
    1,495
    750
    Birmingham
    hate to say this but usually if the starter turns a bit then skids the sprag has gone.was there ever a screeching sound or a clonk?
    yuo have done the battery bit, from my own experience with my Sprint, the battery has to be in tip top condition or this happens. I think you will find you have to remove the engine and split it in half to replace the starter on this bike, the same as mine was. It cost me the bigger part of a grand to have mine done, I had other things done at same time so cannot say exactly now. Sometimes there is a fix using a spring from an oil seal but I cannot say how successful this is,read this, you still have to split the lump I believe
    http://www.triumphrat.net/t3-sport-touring-forum/400386-could-this-work-for-us.html
    there is loads of stuff on the forums in there about sprag repairs
     
  8. Jamie leng

    Jamie leng New Member

    May 26, 2018
    0
    1
    Watford
    Hi there I have a 1995 triumph thunderbird I'm having starting issues. When I start it it's making a loud clonking noise like metal hitting metal sometimes it starts and others it don't can someone please help
     
  9. Sprinter

    Sprinter Kinigit

    Aug 17, 2014
    6,026
    1,000
    uk
  10. Jamie leng

    Jamie leng New Member

    May 26, 2018
    0
    1
    Watford
    Oh no
     
  11. Jamie leng

    Jamie leng New Member

    May 26, 2018
    0
    1
    Watford
    I was hoping it was the starter motor
     
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