'83 GS850G Electical/Battery Problem??

[GateKeeper]

and what are good solutions to use for cleaning all these dirty wires/ connections? thanks

cheap and easy way, is soak the ends in vinegar overnight, in the morning use a small brass brass brush to clean off the connectors, then a Q tip or tooth pick and smear some dielectric grease on, and your good to go

for the ones that have the cover on them, just use a Q tip to clean as best as you can, or get a small brass brush (gun store for a 17hmr caliber should be small enough, and after that, once again with Q tip (remove most of the cotton) add the dielectric grease.

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[NeyborDayfid]

Checking in on you...

thanks BassCliff, I have been reading your material and its been very helpful. just kind of unsure how to diagnose the problem because alot of those tests require the bike to be running and mine won't even crank, all I hear is the click of the starter. I'll have it load tested tonight for the integrity of the battery.

Did you have the battery load tested? If the battery checks out and you're still getting a click then I think you'll need to test your starter solenoid. That's where your click will likely be coming from. Keep us posted.

[dyoung]

Did you have the battery load tested? If the battery checks out and you're still getting a click then I think you'll need to test your starter solenoid. That's where your click will likely be coming from. Keep us posted.

So my battery tests out good, even tried a brand new one. so my next step would be to test the starter solenoid your thinking? if its clicking when I hit the starter does it that mean its working or not?

[rustybronco]

Put your voltmeter leads between battery negative and the solenoid post going to the starter and push the start button. Do you have voltage going to the starter when z button is depressed?

[dyoung]

thanks, i'll do that after work here and report back...what a relief it would be if its only a solenoid problem

[rustybronco]

My 'guess' is that the starter's bad.

[dyoung]

My 'guess' is that the starter's bad.

Thanks Rusty, nailed it on the head. Bad starter, anyone have or know where to get a used replacement? will any GS line starter work with my 850G such as the 550, 750, or 1100 models?

[Steve]

Bad starter, anyone have or know where to get a used replacement?

Why not just fix the one you have? Quite likely, it's either dirty or worn brushes. If they are dirty, clean them. If they are worn, replace them. New brush kits are about $25 at Stocker Starters, but you need to know which of two starters you have there before you order any parts. The kits for the two starters are NOT interchangeable.

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