SOLENOID QUESTION

I just replaced my solenoid and the brushes on my starter, but I still can't the thing to turn over:x . The solenoid makes a very loud clicking sound so I know it's working. Could I have the Neg and Pos cables on the wrong solenoid posts? There is nothing on the solenoid to indicate which goes where. My fuse is fine too. I am a complete rook at this so I am hoping some of you seasoned riders can help me out here. I have been pushing starting this dog for almost 3 months now and it getting a little old!!!

 

It doesn't matter how the cables are connected. A solenoid will work with the current going either way. But just in case it matters to the connector past the solenoid mine has the neg on the bottom and pos on top.
You hear a click so the solenoid is working and the starter button is working. So either the starter is faulty or your kickstand or clutch switch is stuck or working properly because you have the bike in gear or the kickstand down.

 

I'm not sure about the clutch switch but I have tried it with the kickstand up and have made sure it is in neutral and it's still a no-go!

 

I haven't had a clutch switch go bad so I don't know the fix. The kickstand can be fixed by either disconnecting it or disconnecting it and running a jumper across the connector. If it starts then the switch is faulty.

 

That sounds like a good idea! I'll try in and let you know!! Thanks for the help!!

 

If the relay clicks but the starter won't run the brushes in it are worn out (unless the battery is too weak to run it). If you just jumper across the relay and it still won't run you'll need to take the starter apart and replace the brushes. You'll also want to clean it up and grease it while you have it apart.

 

short out the 2 large posts on da sellynoyd with a spanner and see if it turns over , if not , when doin it look at battry voltage with multimeter and see what it is?.if volts drops big time batt=prob...

if all ok and still not turn , is starter motor prob still....

 

ArizonaSteve, I replaced the brushes when I replaced the solenoid. What do you recommend to clean the starter with? I've thought about hosing it down with something but I wasn't sure with what. What kind of grease is best too? I'm wondering if the battery is too weak. When I hit the starter button the oil light is barely visible rather than being bright! If thing wasn't so much fun to ride I'd roll it off a cliff!!

 

try cleaning the batt. terminals....if its been sitting...they could be the culpret. or the batt. itself could be weak.L8tr

 

Castrol makes a product called Super Clean that is water soluable and bio friendly. I would spritz it with that and rinse with WD40 if your worried about the paint (otherwise, brake cleaner). Any high pressure MolyB type grease should do the trick. It sounds like your battery has taken a beating and may need to be charged up. Todubbad posted another culprit that may be robbing you of needed spinning power, clean the contacts at both the battery and the starter as well as the solenoid posts. Best of luck to you!

 

Thanks a bunch guys!! I really appreciate the help!! I have a sneaking suspicion that the battery might be the problem. I have put my hand on the starter motor while trying to start it and I can feel something going on in there, so maybe it doesn't have enough juice!! Thanks again for the input!! If I get time this weekend I'll try them all out and report back!!

 

if your solenoid is clicking then its not any of your cut off switches, just out of curiousity.... the solenoid isnt chattering is it? like repeatedly clicking. If not i would suspect battery is weak, or there is corrosion between battery and the starter.

 

Nope, no chattering, just one solid strong click!! This might seem like a dumb question but I'm a newb so here goes!!! Does the cable coming off the starter motor go back to the solenoid or directly to the battery? Would that be where the corrosion would be?

 

Cable should leave the starter and be routed to the solenoid. Then on from the solenoid to the battery. Corrosion tends to form on the battery terminals (acidic environments will do that). Time and moisture will tend to corrode the other terminals so check them as well. If you are in doubt as to what the corrosion looks like, check out Dan's Motorcycle Repair Page (www.dansmc.com) , he's got pictures and advice galore!

 

I had the same problem with the soleniod clicking but the motor starter would not engage. My problem was definitely the motor starter. Try tapping the motor starter when you are turning it over to see if you can get some life out of the starter.

 

Hi Creynolds

I had a similar problem with my XJ650RJ engine. The problem turned out to be the insulation around the bolt coming out of the starter motor (where the lead connects then to the solenoid.). The insulation was cracked and was shorting out on the starter motor casing (this provides the earth/ground). I remidied it by wrapping insulation tape around the bolt then fitting a rubber washer under the lead.

If you suspect your battery, as I did, disconnect your battery and connect the leads to a car battery via jump leads, try turning it over. If it's your battery, bike should turn over ok, If it's shorting out (as mine was) the starter motor will get hot and/or sparks will be seen at the jump lead connections.

Hope this helps.
Lea