1999 Interstate - won’t crank, high pitch whine

[Demoniac]

Just got a 99 Interstate and I've already got a 98 tourer. So I've messed with my router a bit but don't know much about the interstate, but when you got to crank it he noise from the interstate is WAY higher (like shrill) compared to the tourer. Anybody ran into this before?

[da prez]

Is the engine cranking or just a starter whine. If just the starter , you may be hydrolocked. Pull sparkplugs and timing cover center hole and turn with a socket. If gas comes out of the sparkplug holes , you may have hydrolocked.

        da prez

[Demoniac]

The engine is spinning, sounds like it is maybe spinning too fast?

[Challenger]

I don't understand your terminology,  you said it won't crank yet engine is turning to fast. If engine is turning, but won't start, try swapping battery from your other bike or charge that one up. Weak battery will turn engine but not have enough energy left to fire the coils.

[Ramie]

Almost sounds like your starter is spinning but not engaging the starter gear to turn the engine.  Could be the engine hydro locked and starter gear teeth broke off.

[ridingron]

Have you verify that gas is flowing to the carbs?

Ran out of gas today on my Tourer. After adding the gas, it seemed to spin over very fast until the carbs were filled and it finally fired up. I'm glad I had a good battery. Thinking seriously about a manual tank valve (not vacuum ).

[JimC]

You didn't say if you have had this bike running yet?
If not, it sounds like the starter is spinning with no load, that could be BAD.
It usually means no compression, IE, slipped or broken timing belts, broken starter gears from hydra-lock, etc.
Do a compression check before throwing parts at it.
Jim

[Gregory Scott 16248]

Engine my be hydrolocked. Pull the starter and look inside at the gears or you can feel the gear with you finger. The one on the left may have the missing teeth, right gear is the starter gear. Turn the engine from the front under the center cover to spin the gears.

The picture shows the gears with the rear engine case removed from a hydrolocked engine.

[JimC]

COMPRESSION CHECK is much easier than pulling the starter
Jim