Replacing starter in '98 Sportster 1800

[Arkansan]

Hi, guys, it's me again. Someday maybe my husband will get on here and ask the questions for himself. When I last posted on Saturday, one of the engines suddenly wouldn't start -- just whines. We went ahead and ordered a rebuilt OEM starter and it arrived today. (Great service from an Ebay seller!) So now my husband wants to know if he really has to remove as many parts as it looks like in order to take out the old starter and put in the new one. How hard is this going to be and how long should it take? I think he's inclined to just remove the old one and put in the new one rather than try to disassemble the old one.

The more specific instructions you can offer, the better. He is having back problems, and I'm not sure how much he'll be able to do. I may have to get down in there, or maybe my father-in-law will give it a go. We want to be on the water on Saturday if at all possible.

Let me say one more time with feeling: You guys are the best.

PS: We do have the shop manual...

 

[Dr Honda]

Well....


In a boat... it's a pain. But... it's doable. The starter is held on with 3 bolts, and the power wire. You can reach under the pipe, and get it out... without removing the pipe.


DISCONNECT THE BATTERY BEFORE YOU START !!

 

[Arkansan]

Well, progress is being made. Husband and his dad removed the starter, and part of it fell off. Turns out the business end was sheered completely in two. Big surprise: It was an aftermarket Aqua Torque starter. It seems one of the bolts holding it in place was missing (seems to be a very common problem with this boat!), so they are hunting around for a replacement bolt to use with the replacement (OEM, used but appears to be in good shape). SO GLAD we went ahead and ordered the starter when we did. At least now there's hope of being back on the lake on Saturday.

 

[Arkansan]

AND... the new starter is in (actually has been for several hours) and everything seems to work, although we haven't been to the water yet. My husband also discovered that one of the three bolts was missing from the other starter, so he rectified that while he was at it. We now feel cautiously optimistic that we will be on the water Saturday as planned. Grateful to have had this day off and for an Ebay OEM seller who expedited the starter -- shipped on Monday, arrived on Wednesday. For once, something seems to have worked as planned.

 

[Dr Honda]

Glad you got it in. Now you can enjoy the weekend.