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When I press the starter nothing happens

  • Thread starter Thread starter omnicore
  • Start date Start date
O

omnicore

Guest
I just got myself a GS300L fairly cheap as a project bike. This is the first motorcycle I've had to work on but so far I am enjoying myself.

To the question at hand though. I just replaced the battery on the bike and I know it's putting out juice, the lights come on. But when I press the starter button it doesn't do anything. What can I test to see what might be the culprit?
 
Jump the starter solenoid to see if the starter works. Use a screwdriver on the top two posts (the large posts). If the starter turns then you may have a bad solenoid.
 
Not so

Not so

I respectfully disagree. If your starter turns over, you almost for sure don't have a solenoid problem and you can move it down to the bottom of the list of suspects. For some reason, you're probably not getting power to your solenoid, most especially, if you're not hearing a clicking sound when you push the starter button. (if you do hear a clicking sound, the problem is most likely in the starter...providing your battery is good). So....

I'd start out by checking your fuses. Even if they seem good, switch them around and clean the connections. They are tricky because they can seem good and not be.

Sometimes, corrosion will cause a poor connection at the starter button. You can check that continuity, easily, with a multimeter; all the button does is complete the ground. If it seems bad, take it apart carefully and don't let the little spring go flying. Emory cloth on the button always does the trick, if that's the problem.

You can check to see if power is getting to the solenoid with your multimeter. If it isn't, check the wires continuity. It's easy and straight forward.

If you still have that stupid clutch bypass 'thingy', check it out (and bypass it in the headlight wiring, if you haven't already).

If none of those things work, you need to suspect your starter brushes and armature..

Let us know and we can discuss the starter if need be. I think you'll find out where the problem is pretty easily. I've had similar problems a number of times on both bikes and it was always easy to resolve. The fuse issue is always my first guess. Good luck, you'll find it!:)
 
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did you hold in the clutch? I thought it odd that my bike wouldn't do anything when I pushed the starter button and the bike was in neutral. Then I pulled the clutch lever in and whala it started. Simple thing but could be over looked.
 
I didn't hold the clutch in so I will start with that, then I'll double check my fuses and break out the old multimeter to be sure that all of the pieces are getting power. If that doesn't work I'll try jumping the solenoid and see what happens. Thanks for all the help!
 
Most likely the clutch interlock switch.

Good luck.
 
ChuckyCheese, would you please elaborate on the starter tests? I think that's the problem I'm having. I initially thought it was the coil relay because I swapped the relay and the bike started but that didn't last. Solenoid clicks hard and I'm getting 12volts across it.

Thanks much.
 
Ok

Ok

OK, that's sort of good because you can be pretty sure the problem is either the wiring to the starter or the starter itself. You need to first check to see if the wire going to the starter is in good shape and tight. If it is, (and it probably is), you're going to have to remove the starter.

From there, bench test it with jumper cables from your car battery. Hook up the positive to the post where the wire was hooked up and ground the body with the negative cable. If it doesn't turn over rapidly (and it probably won't), you'll need to carefully take it apart and figure out what's wrong.

It's probably either worn brushes, corrosion on the armature, or both. The armature should be shiny and 'brassy' looking. You can use emory cloth or fine sandpaper and clean it up in just a couple of minutes. I think there's a very good chance that will take care of it. Also, make sure there isn't a bunch of junk filling up the many little grooves. If you're not comfortable with the multimeter tests (they're simple and can be found on line), just do these other things, put it back together and test it again. It will only take about 20 minutes and there's a good chance it will take care of your problem.

As far as the brushes, check to see how badly they're worn and that they're making good contact. They can easily be replaced. You can Google 'Stocker's Starters' or have someone take care of it locally. Check that stuff and let us know. By the way, you may be able to remove the starter without taking off the carbs. On both of my bikes, it's really a simple task that just takes a few minutes but yours may be more difficult. Good luck you've almost got it figured out.
 
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Thanks for the explanation. Hopefully I can get to it tonight after work. I plan on taking pics and post them to help the next guy in this situation. I'll let you know how it goes.

Don
 
I have to get to the bottom of my somewhat similar problem. I push the button and sometimes it just does nothing for 5, 10, 15, 20 seconds (varies). Then it cranks, sometimes I have to take my finger off and hit it again, and that works. I suspect the button. Right hand controller one of the few electrics not replaced on this bike.
 
Good chance

Good chance

doctorgonzo said:
I have to get to the bottom of my somewhat similar problem. I push the button and sometimes it just does nothing for 5, 10, 15, 20 seconds (varies). Then it cranks, sometimes I have to take my finger off and hit it again, and that works. I suspect the button. Right hand controller one of the few electrics not replaced on this bike.
Click to expand...

I think there's a good chance you're right; they do tend to get corroded. If you take it off, you can easily check the continuity at the button. (It's easier if you have your Sweetie push the button a number of times while you hold the probes.) If that doesn't work, you'll need to check your wiring from your right hand control down to the solenoid (and, maybe the starter). It's quite easy and you'll likely figure it out quickly. One thing that makes your problem a little tougher is that the problem is sporadic. Good luck; you'll find it!:)
 
Must have been (hopefully was) just slightly corroded contacts. Everything tested ok. All I did was clean up the contacts on the starter cable and the ground points on the starter and it fired right up.

Thanks for the help !!

Don
 
don_gibb6512 said:
Must have been (hopefully was) just slightly corroded contacts. Everything tested ok. All I did was clean up the contacts on the starter cable and the ground points on the starter and it fired right up.

Thanks for the help !!

Don
Click to expand...

That's great!! I'm really glad to hear that. A really tiny problem can cause a lot of headaches.;)
 
Thanks to your guys help I was able to determine that the starter solenoid was bad. I put a screw driver across it and it started to crank. Hopefully that will be all I need to replace to get this thing going.
 
omnicore said:
Thanks to your guys help I was able to determine that the starter solenoid was bad. I put a screw driver across it and it started to crank. Hopefully that will be all I need to replace to get this thing going.
Click to expand...

I'm afraid that's not going to solve your problem, but it might. (All your test showed is that the starter is good.) Let us know.
 
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Well it's a start, I didn't try to fully start it, I'm just going one step at a time since it's my first time working on a motorcycle.
 
omnicore said:
Well it's a start, I didn't try to fully start it, I'm just going one step at a time since it's my first time working on a motorcycle.
Click to expand...

I'm biased, for sure, but I'd suggest you read my previous posts again. I think the chances of your solenoid being defective is very unlikely. I think you're not getting power to it when you push the 'starter' button. If you've ordered a new solenoid, be sure to hang on to the old one. You might need it someday!;)
 
well I used my multimeter and tested the wires between the starter button and the solenoid and they were getting 12 volts across them and I'd have to assume that since the battery is brand new it's good enough to get the solenoid to kick up and complete the circuit.
 
omnicore said:
well I used my multimeter and tested the wires between the starter button and the solenoid and they were getting 12 volts across them and I'd have to assume that since the battery is brand new it's good enough to get the solenoid to kick up and complete the circuit.
Click to expand...

Well, getting power to the solenoid is one thing but completing the connection with the starter button is another matter. I feel pretty sure your problem is somewhere else. One thing is for sure: it's not your starter.

I was "unclear" (that's political speak for 'wrong') when I suggested your problem might be because you're not getting power to the solenoid; it's there all the time and it comes directly from the battery. You also need a positive connection on the other side (which is what you get when you put a screwdriver across the two posts). I think you've got a fuse problem or a wiring problem. A solenoid problem is certainly possible but I'll bet that's not the case.

Speaking of cases...this is my last case for a long time.
 
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ok well I'll double check all that and see if I missed something. Thanks for all your help.
 
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