vs700 starter issues

[miketron75]

Hello, I just joined this forum and I hope I'm in the right place because I am working on a 1986 vs700 and it needs a new starter. The story is that the solenoid is good the kickstand switch has been bypassed the clutch safety switch and neutral safety switch appear to be functioning and the starter switch at the handle also appears to work so I have been given the bike and a good a starter to install. I ordered a manual but if anyone can help me with some instructions I would be very appreciative! The stand indicator light is always on on the gauge display but it can't be started by jumping the solenoid so it looks like the starter is the problem. Thanks in advance

[Lechy]

I just replied to your original post in the welcome section.

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[navigator]

Over there....

To change the starter you will have to drain the water, then remove the chrome tube over the starter cover, remove the small manifold, a real bitch as it's tight in there, remove the cover, remove the cable, remove the 2 bolts and pry the motor back, reassemble in the reverse.

[emoji41]

Before you do all that, be SURE it is the starter.
If the stand indicator light is on all the time, the stand circuit is inhibiting the starter.

[Lechy]

Nav, he said he shorted out the solenoid and no go. I do know from my own experience that the magnets in the motor can become unglued and seize up the motor also that the oil seal can fail and fill the motor with engine oil.
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[navigator]

I agree, just like to be double dogg sure.

[miketron75]

So, even if the side stand switch failed(which is bypassed but light still on..., jumping the cylinoid should still start the bike right(if the starter is good)?

[miketron75]

the cylinoid does click when starter switch is pushed, and there is 12.6 volts to it. it sparks good when jumped at the terminals when attempting to bypass cylinoid.

[navigator]

If it sparks when jumping the solenoid, but does not spin....the starter is seized as Lechy suggests.

[miketron75]

Even if the side stand switch light is on? is all that bypassed when you jump the solenoid?

[navigator]

Yes its bypassed, the sidestand circuit inhibits power to the solenoid. If you jump the large lugs on the solenoid, you are essentially connecting the battery positive to the starter, and it should spin.
The sparking s telling you the circuit is made from positive to ground through the starter.

[miketron75]

Cool thanks!

[Lechy]

Before you start stripping the starter out, take your battery for a load test, even new batteries can have a faulty cell.

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[miketron75]

The starter is definitely bad and I have a new one on standby... battery is strong. I think the relay may have a problem even though I can turn the starter by jumping the relay, it makes a noise when I hit the starter button so I'm not sure what's going on with it

[Lechy]

When you press the starter button, get hold of the cable going to the starter, if it starts getting hot the relay is working fine. Don't do this too many times as you will burn out the relay and denature the cable.
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[miketron75]

When I put the voltmeter on the low voltage leads going into the solenoid I'm only getting about 10 volts from the starter button.... the battery does have almost 13 volts at the battery. I unplug the solenoid from the harness and put my voltmeter leads there and hit the starter button and again I'm only getting about 10 volts , that's not enough to actuate the solenoid is it?

[Lechy]

10 v should be enough, remove both high amp leads, hook up to the harness, check for continuity across the lugs when operating the start button, you should also be able to feel a slight kick as the solenoid actuates.
You can jump from a car battery as the starter will only draw the amps it requires, but if the motor is bad you stand a chance of burning out the starter cable if you keep the start button depressed, if you are going to try this, DO NOT START THE CAR.
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[miketron75]

I'm wondering if the previous owner fried the solenoid by repeatedly starting it by jumping the solenoid with a screwdriver.... I think that's how he had been starting it for a long time

[Lechy]

Solenoids are as cheap as chips from any auto store just make sure when you fit one that it is very well grounded. I picked one up locally for well under $5 US.
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[miketron75]

When it comes to energizing the solenoid with the low amperage wires from the starter button, which color wire is hot coming from the harness I think they are green/ yellow amd yellow/red. Doesn't matter on the solenoid which side gets hot versus ground on the low voltage leads?

[Lechy]

Yellow/green is hot, the other should be black/white (ground). It is just a coil producing a magnetic field as long as current flows it will energize.

[emoji41]