Need help trouble shooting a starter/electrical problem.

Last night i took off my carb body and cleaned out the bottom end and checked my float levels because my bike was idling funny. Then i put them back on and she started up just fine, i let it idle for a while and everything was good.

THEN this morning i went out to start her up and as soon as i switched the key from off to on the starter started spinning just like if i was to hold the button to start it... so instinctively i turned the key off and NOPE it was still trying to start! If i turned the key back on and gave it gas it would fire up but the starter would not stop cranking. I had to disconnect the relay from the batter to get it to stop.

Then i reconnected and everything worked fine... until i turned the key off and back on. The button wouldn't work and the starter would crank if i jumped the relay from end to end but the bike wouldn't fire up. It would just crank and not start.


So i ended up unplugging some plugs near the starter relay and plugging them back in and now everything is working again.. except the starter button is a little figity.



So my question is WHAT THE HECK COULD HAVE CAUSED THAT? I didnt mess with anything electrical at all before hand and i havent had any electrical problems since i got the bike last spring.


Help?

 

Hi Big_P,
The starter solenoid directly switches the battery positive to the starter motor, so... if the solenoid sticks it won't matter if you turn the key off as that is only disconnecting the power from the starter button(and rest of the ignition components), if you know what i mean.

It sounds like a faulty solenoid for sure!

Turning the key back on lets the ignition circuit do its thing while the starter motor is almost hard wired to the battery with the solenoid stuck on.

Try tapping it hard when it is stuck on, it oughta dislodge the internal piston, one way or the other. A good test.

New solenoid required... or pull it apart and try and fix it first, I know I would!

 

if the starter solenoid was stuck or the contacts were welded togeather it would be spinning the starter with the key off. That's what you have going on there. Replace the solenoid before fails completely.

 

Thanks for the replies! I just ordered a new solenoid since they aren't very expensive and after doing some research i think im going to take apart the starter motor and clean it out..

for the first time yesterday when i was trying to start it, it took forever and i had a oil spot on the ground after under the starter... so im thinking that seal needs to be replaced also.

Anyways thanks for the help!

 

A sticking solenoid can be caused by low voltage as well as the solenoid being old. So, how old is the battery? Is it fully charged? Fluid levels?

 

I cleaned and re-greased my starter last summer and it works soooo much better now. Chacal has the red grease that you need for the planetary gear drive. After 30 years the original grease was more like wax. Today's lubricants (grease) are far superior to what they used, so lubricating goes a long way in preventing problems. Check your brushes for length and inspect the armature closely (the contact surfaces can be dressed if needed). Chacal has a good article on How to do in the Information Overload Hour in his section. You will most likely need new end seals as well. Good luck and take your time. Using his guide it really is easy, just don't skimp anywhere.