Electric strarter problem

[Catfish]

Alright guys i'm kinda new here and have decided to see if you guys can help me. Here is my problem, I bought a 2005 gs about a month ago and have been redoing the fenders and turn signals because the previous owner had laid it down. When I bought the bike the fellow I bought it from had told me that the electric start didnt work without the headlight being on it. So i just got the headlight on it and now the electric start still doesnt work. My question is, Is there a fuse to it or is there a way to track down the problem with the switch. Now I know the starter is not fried because you can jump the solenoid and start the bike, thats how i have been having to start it. Any hints, suggestions or sure fire cures would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Catfish 

[the mole]

You probably should get a copy of the wiring diagram and start tracing back from the starter to see what is wrong. Could be so many things!
Try jumping between the red and yellow/green wires at the starter solenoid. If that turns it over, then you will know that the starter and the solenoid are OK.
Next jump across the yellow/green wires at the clutch switch. If that works, that's your problem. Make the jump permanent to eliminate the clutch switch.
If not, try earthing the green wire on the sidestand relay. If that works, the problem is in the neutral switch/diodes or the sidestand switch. If not, its probably the sidestand relay.
If you can remember to put the stand up, and not to start in gear unless the clutch is pulled in, then I'd be tempted to permanently bridge the orange and orange/blue wires at the sidestand relay. This will eliminate any problems, now or later, in the relay, the sidestand switch or the neutral switch/diodes.
The other two possible problem areas are the starter switch itself, or the engine stop switch, but if it runs OK then its not the stop switch.
My money is on the sidestand switch or the sidestand relay!

And if you ride off with the stand down and hurt yourself, I didn't write this!!!!

[ohgood]

if the bike was down, i'll bet the clutch interlock switch (At the clutch) is busted or needs some corrosion removed. there is a circuit between the headlight and starter switch also.

i've a little write up somewhere about putting a headlight interrupt (just a relay) to kill the headlight and give your starter more amps during the starter button being pushed.... lemmie see, ah here it is !

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=33191.0

the wiring diagram in the haynes manual is pretty good, and it's downloadable also. give the search function (on the forum) a try, and you may have good results.

[sledge]

You mention the bike has been dropped, that makes me suspect the clutch and/or sidestand switches could be damaged. You first need to determine if the problem is related to the starter interlock system ie clutch and sidestand switches or if its in the starter circuit itself, solenoid, start button etc. Find the relay behind the the RH panel, discconect it from the connector and short together the orange and green/blue cables, this action bypasses the clutch and sidestand switches. Try and start it, if it goes the problem is related to the safety switches, if it doesnt the problem is related to the solenoid and its supply.

[Catfish]

Alright it turned out to be a sticky clutch switch. I cant thank ya'll enough for the help.