Starter running backwards - 1979 Harley Davidson XLH 1000 Sportster

You have the run and start wires backwards on the switch.

Check the battery connections. Engine will not run backwards.

Most of the components are electrical and will operate on reverse voltage. The battery charger off of the fly wheel would not like the battery to be reversed.

Mower always have a negitive ground. Only older John Deere tractors have a positive ground.

Hope this helps?

Hi Jimmy:
Basic question...........
DC motor hooked up backwards can run backwards.
Is it wired correctly?

You have the polarity of the battery backward somewhere. Did you replace the starter and hook it up backwards. Difficult but possible. Check your positive and negative on the battery itself.

. I would check the shifter cable. If it broke in reverse while you're son was putting it in drive that would cause it to remain in reverse . Being stuck in reverse would also cause it not to start because it's in gear.

Maybe you have a run of bad parts. Maybe the engine is trying to run backwards because of ignition timing or a crack in the distributor cap. If it is a high mileage engine, the thrust bearings are letting the crankshaft move forward and backward too much.

most engines turn the same way, looking from the left side the flywheel turns anticlockwise.

never checked for spark on a backwards turning engine, I guess it should still spark

As the car has been laid up many years, it needs a thorough servicing. Besides a solenoid in the starter motor, there is a bendex as well. Its role is to push the starter pinion forwards to enable it to engage the flywheel when you turn the key. And when the key is turned backwards then this pinion is pulled backwards. This goes bad sometimes as most of the things do. So it should be repaired. Then the starter motor will start functioning as it should.

Starter clutch needs to be cleaned or replaced. What is the model # and type # on the engine

The starter is a DC motor. If the wires are crossed the motor will run backwards. Check all the connections including the switch.

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