81GS650L No Crank

[DaveP]

Thought I was getting closer to trying to start the 81 GS650L today. Previously I had cranked over the engine to do a compression test and everything seemed fine. Yesterday I completed the reinstall of the air cleaner, carbs, head cover, and clutch cable.

Today I thought I was ready to try and fire it up. Put in the battery and gave a test press of the starter button. Heard it engage, but didn't even press the button long enough for it even to start turning the motor.

Installed the plugs and connected the auxiliary fuel tank, starter button doesn't do anything anymore. No clicks, no dimming lights...

Took apart the clutch safety switch and cleaned that. No difference.

Where should I look next?

Thanks,
Dave

[JTGS850GL]

Check for voltage at each connector and switch from the fuse box through to the starter solenoid. You can bypass the clutch safety switch in the headlight bucket. Assuming that the ignition is turned on and working you can start at the fuse box and trace the path through the kill switch to the starter button, through the clutch safety switch and finally to the starter solenoid. Here's a link to your wiring diagram:

1981 GS650GL wiring diagram

You'll need to download the attachment.

[tom203]

Jump the solenoid. Use small jumper from 12 volt positive battery to trigger wire connection on solenoid ( the little green/white wire ). Should click - make sure bike is in neutral!

[DaveP]

Connect the clutch starter disconnect wires inside the headlight, but still no go on the starter button.

Wire jumper from battery 12v to starter relay wire (yellow/green tracer) doesn't seem to do anything.

Removing quick connect of yellow/green tracer wire at solenoid and applying to 12v positive cranks starter motor.

Engine doesn't start though. Does not appear to have spark either.

[DaveP]

Bike started tonight. The kill switch appears to be the flaky part, so some cleaning probably necessary there.

Although the bike did start, it was only running on two cylinders. No. 4 wasn't firing due to a bad spark plug boot. No.2 exhaust header was still cold after running the bike for a couple of minutes, but it had spark.

Tachometer cable is also broken.