Starter woes

[Dom]

I got the bike running.  Seemed to be running a bit rich because it was bogging on me a bit.  I got about six blocks away and then it died.  I figured the carbs just need to be cleaned out a bit, maybe some tank gunk or whatever.

I let the bike sit overnight and now the thing won't turn over at all.  There's no spark to the starter whatsoever.  I checked the battery, the fuse, pulled apart the starter button, and still can't get power to the starter. Up until now the starter seemed to be strong.  I don't know if the starter motors grow progressively worse until they die or if it's a sudden thing.  I haven't checked yet whether the kickstand kill button is bad.

I was wondering if there is a way to test if the starter is good, maybe a bypass?

Thanks in advance, Dom

[scratch]

Does the starter solenoid click?

[natedawg120]

normally they start to get weak before they go.  If there is nothing what so ever then either your clutch switch or your kick stand switch could be the culprit.

[Dom]

Does the starter solenoid click?

No, Starter solenoid does, not click.  Where is that located and is it an easily replaceable part if it needs replacing?  Myself and my bike are here at work but the manual is at home.

[Dom]

Never mind, I found it, I'll run some 12v to it and see if it clicks.  It is 12v right?   

[Jay_wolf]

Yep , Correct

[Dom]

No click.  Wow, that was easy.  Thank you, thank you, thank you, everybody.

[bman40]

normally they start to get weak before they go.  If there is nothing what so ever then either your clutch switch or your kick stand switch could be the culprit.

what is the kickstand switch??? what does that do? I have had my 89 for 6 days...and this board is an awesome tool to understand the bike.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

normally they start to get weak before they go.  If there is nothing what so ever then either your clutch switch or your kick stand switch could be the culprit.

what is the kickstand switch??? what does that do? I have had my 89 for 6 days...and this board is an awesome tool to understand the bike.

Kickstand switch is on the bottom of the frame.. when the kickstand is up, it's closed, when it's down, it's open. The starter won't operate if the kickstand is down, and the bike is in gear. It's a safety mechanism so you don't drive away with your kickstand down. That's why you can start the bike on the stand in neutral, but not in first.

[makenzie71]

jump the terminals on the starter relay and see if the starter hits.

[Dom]

jump the terminals on the starter relay and see if the starter hits.

Yeah, that's what I inadvertently did when I was trying to remove the old relay.  Good thing to know in a pinch.

Renton Motorcycles here outside Seattle said they had the part in stock when I called then when I got there they didn't have it.    They did try to make nice, however, by giving me free two-day shipping on the item.

[Dom]

Since the relay wont arrive at the stealer until Monday, I rigged up a solution for a total of $2.99 from parts available at Radio Shack.  I bought a "momentary On" button good for 3A at 115v(also good for around 32A at 12v), soldered and heat shrunk it onto an old extension cord.  Who knows if I'll ever actually buy the starter relay now that I have a far, far cheaper solution.  I guess the only thing I would have to worry about is punk kids seeing a button hanging out from under my seat and pressing it.  Punk kids!   

[Jay_wolf]

Why not put it under your seat?

[Dom]

Why not put it under your seat?

So if I accidentally stall at a light all I need to do is remove my seat and press the button?  But seriously, I think I'll zip-tie to the frame  somewhere discreet.

[jake42]

I think I have a relay laying around here that should fit an 89.  What'd the dealership want for it, like 50 bucks? The one I have should be in working order.  I'll send it to ya for the cost of shipping.

Jake

[Jay_wolf]

Dom ?  i meant when its parked up , how would someone press it , when ur driving along ? lol

[Dom]

I think I have a relay laying around here that should fit an 89.  What'd the dealership want for it, like 50 bucks? The one I have should be in working order.  I'll send it to ya for the cost of shipping.

Jake

I appreciate the offer, unfortunately I already bought it and really I'm just impatient and wanted to get the bike running.  Well the switch didn't work as planned.  It got way too hot probably as a result of the switch not being rated at a high enough amps and I used 16 ga wire when I should have used something like 10 or 12.  So what ended up happening was that the battery would drain extremely fast and I would only get a four or five starts off of a fully charged battery.  Yeah, the wires were really hot.

[Wrecent_Wryder]

Well the switch didn't work as planned.  It got way too hot probably as a result of the switch not being rated at a high enough amps and I used 16 ga wire when I should have used something like 10 or 12.  So what ended up happening was that the battery would drain extremely fast and I would only get a four or five starts off of a fully charged battery.  Yeah, the wires were really hot.

? ? ?  Something missing here..

I have no idea how you wired it, but all you had was a momentary switch, right? So, how was it drawing power when not pressed? Also, you said it was rated at 32a @ 12v, and the main fuse is just a 20a...