starter switch AND starter solenoid - help please

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DrAlloway
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starter switch AND starter solenoid - help please

Post by DrAlloway »

2004 vs1400 ran perfectly well

all of a sudden >> would not start - checked all the obvious - turned out to be the Starter Switch in the right handlebar assembly

took assembly apart - cleaned Starter Switch - put it back together - won't start (very hard to keep spring lined up during re-assembly

took it apart again - decided to check by jumping the Starter Switch - bike started nicely

while waiting to get another starter switch (used on eBay) - I played with jumping some more

I think I fried the Starter Solenoid - because NO Click under pillion seat when Key turned On.

Now I am trying to test (and maybe replace) Starter Solenoid - but - can't find it

Manual says remove seat and side panel - guessing Starter Solenoid is inside, behind Front Ignition Coil ? right ?

THINK now both a dead Starter Switch and a fried Starter Solenoid.

Any advise please on fixing either or both ??

What do I have to remove to get to Starter Solenoid?
I have a new one on order.
Can I glue that damn little spring in Starter Switch to ensure contact when assembled?

thanks, Bob

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DrAlloway
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Re: starter switch AND starter solenoid - help please

Post by DrAlloway »

sorry - forgot to check reply notification box AGAIN

Lechy
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Re: starter switch AND starter solenoid - help please

Post by Lechy »

First check the fuses.

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DrAlloway
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Re: starter switch AND starter solenoid - help please

Post by DrAlloway »

I checked all the fuses.

I put my multimeter across the Starter Switch >> zip

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DrAlloway
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Re: starter switch AND starter solenoid - help please

Post by DrAlloway »

The Starter Switch was (and still is) definitely bad.

Bike would not start with switch - but - when I jumped the switch it started right up.

(I think) The solenoid got toasted when I was making intermittent contact with a jumper wire on the starter switch.

So - even when I replace the solenoid - still the switch is bad.

BTW: do you know where my solenoid is actually located ??

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Re: starter switch AND starter solenoid - help please

Post by Spitfire »

If you follow the cable from the starter back doesn't that go to the starter solenoid? Not trying to be a smart ass, just throwing that out there. :confused:

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Re: starter switch AND starter solenoid - help please

Post by navigator »

Also load test your battery, low voltage will fry the contacts in your solenoid.
Should be under the left side cover, 2 large lugs, might be under a rubber boot.

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DrAlloway
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Re: starter switch AND starter solenoid - help please

Post by DrAlloway »

Battery is good - and on smart trickle charger.

I removed seat and left side cover looking for solenoid.
It is not visible.
Looks like it is hiding BEHIND the Front Ignition Coil (which I have not removed yet as new solenoid has not yet arrived).

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Re: starter switch AND starter solenoid - help please

Post by Spitfire »

Keith that is a much better answer! :bow: [space] [emoji106]

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Re: starter switch AND starter solenoid - help please

Post by Spacecoast »

"What do I have to remove to get to Starter Solenoid?"

I found that my bike was missing a solenoid bolt...so I had to remove the coils to get to it so that I could install the second bolt that was missing.

see item #1 on link
http://www.cheapcycleparts.com/oemparts ... electrical

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DrAlloway
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Re: starter switch AND starter solenoid - help please

Post by DrAlloway »

Fewer mysteries is better - so - I went digging and found my solenoid.

On 2004 vs1400 the Starter Solenoid is located::
1) remove seat and side cover
2) remove Front Ignition Coil (it is the one rear-ward)
3) lift the plastic panel that holds lots of electrical connectors (phillips head bolted to cross-frame)
4) the whole solenoid is covered by a big rubber boot

the connections are sticking up (vertical) - so - easy access for testing
however
replacing the solenoid (if necessary) will involve removing a bunch of other stuff to get access to the bolts

I can NOT actually test this solenoid until my wife gets home
because
with the Starter Switch not working, it requires 4 hands to jump the solenoid to see if the bike starts

note to self >> put main fuse back in before when ready to test

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Re: starter switch AND starter solenoid - help please

Post by Spacecoast »

I don't think that jumping a solenoid is the same as testing it. Normally the less amperage wire (coming from the start button) causes the solenoid to "close" allowing the higher amperage wiring from the battery to travel to the starter. Jumping the solenoid simply allows that high-amp current to flow to the starter, but not really testing that the solenoid is doing its job.

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Re: starter switch AND starter solenoid - help please

Post by Lechy »

Grow old disgracefully young man.

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DrAlloway
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Re: starter switch AND starter solenoid - help please

Post by DrAlloway »

I think I have proved the Starter Solenoid is GOOD ?? right ??

I used my Trickle Charger to provide juice to positive & negative SMALL posts on the Solenoid.
The Bike turned over and over.

?? Therefore, the magnetic coil is Good because it closed the relay connecting the BIG posts thus the Starter MOTOR spins the engine ?? RIGHT ??

The main 25amp fuse was OUT and the ignition key was OFF
but that is OK because in this condition
the Bike will not start but engine will crank
?? right ??

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Herb
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Re: starter switch AND starter solenoid - help please

Post by Herb »

DrAlloway wrote:I think I have proved the Starter Solenoid is GOOD ?? right ??

I used my Trickle Charger to provide juice to positive & negative SMALL posts on the Solenoid.
The Bike turned over and over.

?? Therefore, the magnetic coil is Good because it closed the relay connecting the BIG posts thus the Starter MOTOR spins the engine ?? RIGHT ??

The main 25amp fuse was OUT and the ignition key was OFF
but that is OK because in this condition
the Bike will not start but engine will crank
?? right ??
Correct.

So, Now you have to figure out why the start switch isn't starting the bike.

Check for power and ground to the small wires on the solenoid, when the start button is pushed.
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Re: starter switch AND starter solenoid - help please

Post by Spacecoast »

DrAlloway wrote:I think I have proved the Starter Solenoid is GOOD ?? right ??

I used my Trickle Charger to provide juice to positive & negative SMALL posts on the Solenoid.
The Bike turned over and over.

?? Therefore, the magnetic coil is Good because it closed the relay connecting the BIG posts thus the Starter MOTOR spins the engine ?? RIGHT ??

The main 25amp fuse was OUT and the ignition key was OFF
but that is OK because in this condition
the Bike will not start but engine will crank
?? right ??
That was a smart idea. As Herb said, check to see if the switch provides any power to the solenoid. If not, then either bad start switch, broken/bad wire, or perhaps there is a blown fuse in the wires between solenoid and start switch (if there is one).

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DrAlloway
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Re: starter switch AND starter solenoid - help please

Post by DrAlloway »

The beginning of this story was a BAD STARTER SWITCH.

I thought I cooked the solenoid trying to fix the starter switch.

Now that the Solenoid is proven GOOD ?? I am mystified ?? because when I turn the Key the solenoid does not click !!

I do not know why

battery is good
25 amp main fuse is good
jumped the clutch safety switch (just to eliminate this possibility)

what are the other possibilities ??

the solenoid is supposed to click WITH KEY and BEFORE the Starter Switch

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Herb
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Re: starter switch AND starter solenoid - help please

Post by Herb »

DrAlloway wrote:The beginning of this story was a BAD STARTER SWITCH.

I thought I cooked the solenoid trying to fix the starter switch.

Now that the Solenoid is proven GOOD ?? I am mystified ?? because when I turn the Key the solenoid does not click !!

I do not know why

battery is good
25 amp main fuse is good
jumped the clutch safety switch (just to eliminate this possibility)

what are the other possibilities ??

the solenoid is supposed to click WITH KEY and BEFORE the Starter Switch
No it isn't, it only clicks (connects the battery to the starter) when the start switch is pushed, with the key on. Even then the power goes through the clutch, side stand and neutral switches.
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Re: starter switch AND starter solenoid - help please

Post by Lechy »

Jumping the posts does NOT prove the solenoid. You should have taken a jumper wire from the hot post and connected it to the control (small) wire from the switch then if the solenoid activates you have proven it and should trace the wiring back to the switch.

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Herb
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Re: starter switch AND starter solenoid - help please

Post by Herb »

Lechy wrote:Jumping the posts does NOT prove the solenoid. You should have taken a jumper wire from the hot post and connected it to the control (small) wire from the switch then if the solenoid activates you have proven it and should trace the wiring back to the switch.

[emoji41]
Uh, he said he used a charger to put power and ground on the SMALL terminals. Which totally replaces the start circuit and ground circuit. Since that engaged the starter, the solenoid and starter are good.

Now he needs to check the ground wire for a good ground, if it is good, he needs to find where he is losing power to the solenoid.
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