Jumping the starter solenoid...HELP

Hello all,

I never tried the screwdriver..jumping..dont want to fry anything..can someone point out which of the wires to be shot to jump starter solenoid.....THANKXXXX

 

Use the round end of a half inch wrench.
Make sure the bike is in neutral. If it is in gear, it WILL move !
Touch the 2 large terminals.
Since there WILL be a spark, don't do this with a dripping carb.

Why a wrench and not a screwdriver? It works better, and,
Because people will ride around with a screwdriver in their pocket,
If you fall off, you could get stabbed.

 

I kept a stubby in my under my right side cover just for this reason.

 

good idea on the wrench.

The starter selonoid (sp) is under the seat right near the cross member behind the battery. You'll see two large wires going to it covered by a rubber cap. Pull the covers back and have at it.

3 things to remember
1. make sure the bike is in neutral
2. make sure the bike's ignition is on
3. make s ure the kill switch isn't engaged.

 

Thanks everyne..
The bike has been sitting for 2 yrs for same reason..NO START condition. I put new engine oil in with new filter, new gasoline, carbs drained, Just wanted to see it start before i could change coolant or tuning. When i jumped the solenoid(2 red wires on round unit near battery) first time i heard the motor turn but did not start. IInd time around and after the motor doesnt even turn, i am only making sparks by shorting the 2 wires.

I have air blowed all connectors and dieelectric greased them including the ignition coils.

I could not change the plugs as i dont have the right size (thin-long) socket..among my 30 odd sockets. My point is even with old plugs it still has to turn, dont have to start...am i right..!!! SO is the starter motor chewed. Please help. Thankx

 

Hey littlegiant, check this out,

http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic ... holic.html

Then get back with us, OK??
Also, test with plugs out.

 

one thing i might add is try to touch the wrench to the nuts not the threads
you can bugger the threads and not be able to get the nuts off if you need to
been there done that

 

Timetoride...thanks for that link..really eye opener..will update soon as am having time to work on it in the next 2 days.

 

To start a Bike that has "Sat" for 2 years requires a host of measures that need to be checked-off ... before you expect to hear the Engine start.
Compression.
A fully charged Battery.
Fuel supply.
Air.
Spark

If this Bike sat for 2-years and was not laid-up for doing the Rip Van Winkle ... you've got some additional things to do ... corrective action.
Is the Ignition Circuit getting Current?
Test light.
Maybe the Fuse Connectors are dead.

See if you Got Spark?
If you do ... shoot some Starter Fluid right in the Air Box.
If the Engine cranks and you get it to "Pop" or grunt ...

You will need to do a considerable amount of Carb Cleaning and Rehabbing.

 

Hello all,

I realised solenoid is fried. As i shot, the motor turns...but i dont find spark at the plugs when i pulled and watched(grounded the plug to the bare metal area in the engine block). I tried Cyl 1 and 2. What are the possibilities...or is it safe to assume ignition coils are fried. I did clean the plug caps and wires n put dielectric grease along with all connectors.
The plugs inside were NGK iridiums. Assistance appreciated. Thankx

 

in all likelihood, the coils are fine.
when you turn the key on, do the lights come on?

also, these bike are very very picky about voltage. if you even have a remotely weak battery- and just turn the key on and jumping the solenoid keeps the headlight on- will keep it from firing, but will turn it over.
make sure you have good charge...
if you crank and the voltmeter reads below 11, you need to charge the battery before firing it

 

Re: Jumping the starter solenoid...UPDATE...HELP !!!

Thanks helmet your reply soothes me on coil expense...UPDATE
I took a AGM Good battery from my Vstar 650 (fully charged) and tried again the motor really turns well (lots of juice/sure) but wont start..NO SPARK ...took off plugs and gently cleaned it too.
Pls advise what essential Starter circuit lead to be tested..I have link to pictures of wires..any reference to it would be appreciated.

http://picasaweb.google.ca/yamahalowrider/MaximX#

 

How did you determine that the solenoid is bad? Do you get +12V on the smaller lead when you push the start button? Can you hear it?

RickCo mentioned the fuses... I would double check them as well... If you get no spark and no solenoid action, the two problems may be related.

Does anyone know if this bike has a safety relay?

 

hi stereomind, when kill switch n ignition turned on idont hear the click noise at solenoid. Again only by shorting the motor turns/not start switch...What/where fuse connectors should i check..thnks

 

Test for Current:

Red Wire
(From Battery -to- Fuse Panel)
Power is good TO Fuse Panel
Power is good AT Fuse.
Power is good BOTH Sides of Fuse.
(Wiggle Fuse / Test for continuity)

Remove Headlight
Unplug Headlamp
Follow Pigtail from Ignition Switch to Connector.
Undo Connector
Test Red Wire.
Power is Good? Y-OK No-Find Short fm Fuse Panel

Ignition Pigtail
Test Switching Capabilities
(MultiMeter Required - Ck- ON, OFF, PARK)
Good? Test KILL Switch
N/G Ignition switch bad.

 

Hooray...She started after a lot of cranks, with new unifilter(foam), took lot of patience as it almost started but didnt lot of times. Finally once i got it going added SEAFOAM and it idles beautiful at 1k. Took it for a spin and behaves good. To do list.
1.Flush n change coolant
2.Lube clutch n other cables
3.Tires losing pressure..got to check
4.4 in to 1 Hindle need good sanding n painting (surf rust at headers).

Oh by the way it starts only when sidestand pulled up and holding clutch...i guess i can live with it..wondering is that a faulty diode or sidestand switch.?

 

That's because the Safety Circuit is NOT getting a "Signal" that the Bike is in NEUTRAL.

Put the Bike in Neutral.
Sidestand > Down.
Clutch Lever > Not Pulled.
It should Start.

If it don't ...
Test the Neutral Switch
Clean and Test the SideStand Switch >> (and make sure the Rod ain't getting hung-up on dirty grease)
Check to see that the Clutch Switch is working right.

Last but NOT least ...
Make sure the Safety Relay IS a Safety Relay and not just a Generic Power Relay.

 

Thanks ricko. The side stand switch pulls out all the way...but bit oily will cleanup n check. Where is the neutral switch.
The IInd day after sucess when i started it started misbehaving with slow RPM decrease n increase..guess all the seafoam has worked overnight n should be clogging up the jets..need to let it run..am thinking of drainin the carbs again..n then run the engine with remaining fuel/seafoam.