I pulled the bike out of the shed after a long winters nap. Turned the key, hit the starter button and all I got was one click from somewhere under the seat on the right hand side. Later I found out that the starter solenoid rests there.

20 Amp Main fuse GOOD. Is that the only fuse on this bike?

My first thoughts of course was the battery. It's a couple of years old but it has been kept on a smart trickle charger. Checked the voltage 12.7 volts. BUT, I took it to the bike shop anyway just to make sure, they load tested it and it was good. I had all my money on that battery being bad.

So now I'm thinking it's the ignition switch. That's the only other thing that I can think of that controls EVERYTHING. But the (old) parts guy couldn't remember the last time he sold a ignition switch because one was bad.

I did a little probing and I do get 12 volts on one of the terminals on that plug near the solenoid.

They do show a test of the solenoid in the manual. I guess I could check that but that shouldn't cut ALL the lights out should it? Maybe the headlight for starting, but I don't think the 2001 GS electronics would be that sophisticated.

Signed, Stumped.

Just wanted to check with GS Wizards before I take the quarter fairing off and pull the head light out. I assume they have a way to probe the ignition switch. Need to take another look at the Clymer manual.
Thanks in advance.

A lot of people mistake the spare fuse for the actual fuse. I don't think you did, just want to mention it.

If you're certain the fuse is not the problem, try jumper cables to a non-running car. If it is your battery, that will rule it out. If the lights turn on, your battery is bad. If the lights still don't turn on, check the ground wires going from the battery.

If it boils down to the ignition switch, you can test it by getting a wire diagram and hot wiring the connector with some short pieces of wiring.

No, you were correct. I pulled that spare fuse out. "Well that wasn't in there securely." Then I found the other one. Checked them both, good.

I'll try the jump that certainly would be easy to do. Next I'll check the connections but every thing seems good.

Here is a picture to show it off.




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Safety switches?, battery leads firmly secured? Other end of negative lead firmly secured? ... kill switch functions/clicks properly? .. key is ON not just park?

Ooooh nice shiny CLEAN bike!