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starter relay

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lonny
  • Start date Start date
L

Lonny

Guest
I got a new relay from Lowes, it has one prong where the green/ yellow and Black/white wires would go. Should I solder both wires to it? If no, how to proceed, it was the only relay at my Lowes here locally.
Cheers.
 
Lots of information missing from your post Lonny. Like what model and year is your GS, where are you located, and why are you shopping for bike parts at lowes...
 
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It would be really helpful to know what you're trying to install the relay onto.... but I'll give it a shot.

Do not solder both wires to the same terminal! Looking at my wiring diagram, yellow/green is from the starter button and black/white is ground. This would create a short and hitting the starter button would blow a fuse (hopefully).

My guess is that it's designed to be grounded by the mounting bolt.
 
He is talking about a starter solenoid I would wager. It is a high current relay.
There should be 2 large posts and 1 small terminal. One large post goes to the battery, one goes to the starter. It does not matter which. The small terminal goes to the starter switch. Those relays do not have a ground wire, the mounting bracket is the ground. So make sure the bolt that holds the relay to the frame is grounded and you are good to go.
 
Eric, you are correct as to the colors. B/W is always ground on GS bikes. Just let it hang or cut it off or run it to the mounting bolt.
 
Toadstool Food said:
Lots of from your post Lonny. Like what model and year is your GS, where are you located, and why are you shopping for bike parts at lowes...
Click to expand...
I think you meant to say "Lots of information missing from your post Lonny." Well, there was stuff missing from your post, too. :oops:

Why is he shopping for bike parts at Lowe's? Becuase it is a very-often suggested place to shop for a starter solenoid.

For example: a solenoid for my '80 850G retails for $79.72, it is available from G&S Suzuki for $58.84.
A very compatible solenoid is available from Lowe's for $15.72.
That particular solenoid is not the one that Lonny got, as his has only one small terminal, this one has two.


.
 
old_skool said:
Since we're missing info, he may as well be talking about some of the tractor solenoids which actually have 2 wires, one is for ground and is needed as the circuit is not grounded to the metal casing, but I've only seen these on really old relays, but who knows what Lowes stocks.
Click to expand...
Did you look at the link that Steve supplied from Lowe's?

They probably have more than that one available.
 
I am baffled at all this quibling. My GPz replacement solenoid only has one terminal as well. The one Steve pointed at would not have worked anyway due to the GPz connector design. I ran a ground wire to the mounting bolt and all is good. What is the problem?
 
imag0971o.jpg

Stocker on the right, new on the left. It's from an 83 gs750E. Thank you all for the replies! I am burning breakfast and gotta get back to it. =)

imag0971o.jpg
 
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Steve, looking at the link you graciously provided, that would appear lots more compatible. SOooo, maybe I need to go back to lowes or Home Depot, or ACE, or wherever and try again.
 
Ha, Agemax, you are correct sir, which is what I get for being rushed, typos and burntish bacon. It IS however still bacon!
 
Steve said:
Well, there was stuff missing from your post, too.
Click to expand...
thanks for the heads up Steve. It was late...

I take your point about the cost of a replacement. My unit is a $12 Ford solenoid i had laying around the shop. It never occurred to me to use a lawn tractor unit.

Toad
 
imag0973s.jpg


Ended up soldering the ground to the body of the relay. Works now anyway!
 
Toadstool Food said:
My unit is a $12 Ford solenoid i had laying around the shop. It never occurred to me to use a lawn tractor unit.
Click to expand...
The Ford unit will work just as well, the lawn tractor one is just smaller, darn near the same size as the original Suzuki unit.



Lonny said:
Ended up soldering the ground to the body of the relay. Works now anyway!
Click to expand...
Good that it works, but like Toadstool Food said, you could have simply used a ring connector and put the wire behind one of the mounting bolts.

.
 
yeah i would "unsolder" that wire and run the ground to the bracket mounting bolt. would look much neater
 
Agemax said:
yeah i would "unsolder" that wire and run the ground to the bracket mounting bolt. would look much neater
Click to expand...
IMHO, a ring connector would also be more secure. If that solder joint breaks, you will not be pleased with the results.
 
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