Intermittent Starter problem

Q. Possibly an electrical problem but sort of need to narrow it down. With key turned to ‘on’ and kill switch switched to ‘run’ hitting the starter button sometimes the bike will turn over and start as per normal. However, other times upon hitting the starter button no charge seems to conducted from the starter button to the starter relay/solenoid, as the standard clicking sound from the relay is not made. Have checked the relay which is functioning fine and all links are free from corrosion and have been sprayed with WD-40. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

>>>Next post is By mike t
Mine used to do it, it was that starter button assembly. As you say the starter relay is not picking up it sounds like the push button is not making a good contact. I had to strip down the handlebar switch assembly and clean it up inside. use some contact lubricant on it. If it does it again use a multimeter (and the wiring schematic) to check that +12volts is present on one side of the switch, if it isn’t then your problem is before the switch, if it is then push the button and then check that at least +6volts is reaching the starter relay. If it’s less than 6volts then the starter relay will not pick up. Make sure your lights are turned OFF when you’re starting.

mike

>>>Next post is By Ken
I had the same problem. Sometimes pressing the start button would engage the starter, other times NOTHING. Here is what I found.

If I had the wires disconnected at the starter relay and used a volt meter to read 12volts, it reads good when you press the button. But reconnecting the harness at the solenoid caused a low voltage reading. What was happening, the start button would pass voltage with NO LOAD on it, but when it was connected to the relay NO GO!. The problem was a faulty switch with a ability to pass voltage as long as there was no load on it (relay disconnected) but could not pass voltage across the switch with a load on it (relay connected).

So I disassembled the entire switch assembly and could see where the contacts had worn. There is a hat shaped button that rides on the spring. I put a small washer under this to shim it up. Now, no more problems.

IN OTHER WORDS, I agreee with those who cite a faulty switch, even though it may read that good voltage is passing thru it.

Ken H2Os

>>>Next post is By mike t
You are correct ken, I couldn’t think how to describe the problem so well in so few words! A poor contact pressure giving a high resistance contact that cannot pass sufficient current to pick up the solenoid, thus causing the voltage to collapse – perhaps i should have put it that way!!

mike

>>>Next post is By Ken
Thats exactly what I was trying to say! Perfect!

Ken H2Os

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