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Post by wanchesenative on Jun 21, 2011 18:11:31 GMT -6
I'm learning the hard way that old bikes can be a pain. Drove the bike to work today with no problems. When I went to leave, I got on the bike, pressed the start button and she turned over a couple times but seemed to drag SLIGHTLY. I stopped then tried again only to get a "click" from the solenoid. I had to push start it to get home. Haven't had the opportunity to investigate yet but didn't know if any of the experts might have an opinion on what to check first.
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Post by eaglerider on Jun 21, 2011 18:28:30 GMT -6
What condition is your battery?? Check ground wire connections.
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Post by Blaine on Jun 21, 2011 18:29:08 GMT -6
I'm learning the hard way that old bikes can be a pain. Drove the bike to work today with no problems. When I went to leave, I got on the bike, pressed the start button and she turned over a couple times but seemed to drag SLIGHTLY. I stopped then tried again only to get a "click" from the solenoid. I had to push start it to get home. Haven't had the opportunity to investigate yet but didn't know if any of the experts might have an opinion on what to check first. I would check your battery and connections first.Sounds like you have a dead battery.Would it start when you got home?   |
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Post by wanchesenative on Jun 21, 2011 18:34:16 GMT -6
Battery is brand new. I was thinking along those lines but I know battery is new and it did the same thing when I got home. Just clicked. A bad cable or cable connection could be a possibility. I will check that first. Thanks.
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Post by wanchesenative on Jun 21, 2011 19:41:12 GMT -6
OK, I checked the cables going to the the solenoid/relay and the starter, everything in that loop. With a test light, I have good continuity through the wire. loosened and retightened the connections. All seems good. The "click" that I am hearing is the relay engaging and disengaging as I push the start button. Current is passing through the solenoid when I push start. I don't know if it is adequate current but it seems to be strong as the test light glows strong. I am out of possibilities except a "Bad Starter" which is what I didn't want to hear. Anybody got any suggestions?
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Post by wanchesenative on Jun 23, 2011 16:08:36 GMT -6
Update to my situation...I had to get in that one last ride before tearing everything down to try and diagnose the starter issue. So a push start and off I went. Maybe 2 miles down the road, running GREAT, then just like I turned of the stop switch, she quit. I no longer get the click of the starter relay with the start button. There is no current flowing to the stop switch either. When I turn the key, all my lights come on including the gauges. I am trying now to trace Where I lose power but following wires on a 26 year old wiring harness is NOT my idea of fun. Any suggestions as to what or where I should test would be GREATLY appreciated.
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Post by Moriarte on Jun 24, 2011 9:47:35 GMT -6
Hmm, I can tell you that my ignition is kinda funny. If I don't have the key set "just right" then the bike won't start even though the lights come on. And "sometimes" while driving down the road, if I hit a bump a little too hard, or didn't have the key set just right, the ignition will move ever so slightly and I lose all power and she dies...
Try wiggling that thing just a bit a few times and see if that fixes your issue.
-Mori
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Post by wanchesenative on Jun 24, 2011 17:04:16 GMT -6
Moriarte, thanks for the direction. My switch is OK but tracing wiring from there, I discovered a bad plug. The one that the switch plugs into on the harness has at least 2 wires that connect loosely. It doesn't solve my starter issue, but I was able to push start. I at least know where that problem is. Now I just have to track down why the starter isn't engaging. I am going to check the solenoid in the hopes that it is something simple and then go from there.
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Post by wanchesenative on Jul 9, 2011 18:53:44 GMT -6
update to my situation.....Scuba Steve is my hero!!! He gave me a VERY good deal on a wiring harness and starter which solved my problem. I still have some minor issues that I have to deal with before getting back to some serious riding, but I took her for a short ride to check things out today and HALLELUJAH!!!! I am back on the road. Thanks Steve!!!!
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ken90
New Member
Posts: 20
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Post by ken90 on Oct 3, 2011 17:19:43 GMT -6
Sorry to resurrect an old thread but am having the exact problem MORIATE describes A few posts up and was wondering if this has happen to someone else that could point me in the right direction to trouble shoot it. My first guess was the starter relay but it seems to have more to do with the position of the key. Maybe he is still around to tell me how it worked out for him. Last few times I have started it the lights come but its very picky on where the key is to make it start, this only seems to happen when the bikes cold..........
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Post by eaglerider on Oct 3, 2011 21:58:33 GMT -6
Bad ignition switch assembly! Needs replacing.
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ken90
New Member
Posts: 20
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Post by ken90 on Oct 4, 2011 4:48:10 GMT -6
Thanks eagle I will start keeping an eye out for a replacement on ebay.
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Post by eaglerider on Oct 4, 2011 5:34:13 GMT -6
All 454 switches 85 thru 90 are the same.
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Post by Moriarte on Oct 6, 2011 10:41:28 GMT -6
Sorry to resurrect an old thread but am having the exact problem MORIATE describes A few posts up and was wondering if this has happen to someone else that could point me in the right direction to trouble shoot it. My first guess was the starter relay but it seems to have more to do with the position of the key. Maybe he is still around to tell me how it worked out for him. Last few times I have started it the lights come but its very picky on where the key is to make it start, this only seems to happen when the bikes cold.......... Just saw this. Yes, I am still around. I haven't fixed my issue, I just work around it. I make sure the key ring is light so it doesn't put weight on the ignition switch, and I ensure that the key is in the right position when I start it. Occasionally I will have her die while riding (usually as I am coming to a stop or after making a turn) and I just have to reach up there and wiggle the key to the right position and she starts right back up without issue (I don't even have to stop the bike). Eventually I will get around to replacing the ignition switch, but for now it is tolerable. -Mori |
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eman2282
Junior Member
"Life's a Journey, not a destination"
Posts: 235
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Post by eman2282 on Oct 8, 2011 7:09:01 GMT -6
That doesn't sound tolerable, I know I have the same issue. I just haven't got around to taking the one off of my newly acquired parts bike and replacing it yet.
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