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Starter solenoid or Starter?

cloudbreakmd

cloudbreakmd

Forum Mentor
Past Site Supporter
So ofcourse my bike won't start...

Battery fully charged
Ignition Switch On
Clutch in
Kill switch set to Run
Hit the starter button and just one click and no engine turnover

I tried to short the starter solenoid with a screw driver and there was no click (while holding clutch lever in).

Thoughts?
 
I should add that the connectors are corrosion free (the bike is garaged) and that the battery is an AGM and only a few months old. I replaced just the brushes in the starter years ago.

The engine spins when put in fifth gear and I push the bike forward. I am suspecting the starter but I am wondering why there is no spark or click when I am attempting to short the solenoid.
 
Last edited:
Verify voltage at the solenoid when starting and then at the starter motor terminal. Should be close to battery voltage.
 
As mentioned, verify that you have enough voltage at the battery-side terminal on the solenoid. If you have 12+ volts there, make sure the bike is in neutral (or the rear wheel off the ground) and short across the two large terminals. You will NOT hear a click when you do that, only the sparks and, hopefully, the starter. The click is the mechanism inside moving when you push the button. No button push? No click. Simple. Oh, note that you don't have to have the key on to do this. Since the battery terminal is live all the time, shorting to the starter terminal can happen any time.
 
Dragon Breath said:
As mentioned, verify that you have enough voltage at the battery-side terminal on the solenoid. If you have 12+ volts there, make sure the bike is in neutral (or the rear wheel off the ground) and short across the two large terminals. You will NOT hear a click when you do that, only the sparks and, hopefully, the starter. The click is the mechanism inside moving when you push the button. No button push? No click. Simple. Oh, note that you don't have to have the key on to do this. Since the battery terminal is live all the time, shorting to the starter terminal can happen any time.
Click to expand...

Bike was in neutral.
Will check for 12 volts at solenoid.
I meant sparks and not the click :) and there was no starter noise.
 
11.6 volts at the starter. I think it must be the starter at this point...

12.2 volts at battery but I've been hitting the starter button and the headlight has been on while trouble shooting.
 
Last edited:
If you have 11.6 volts at the actual starter input and the main ground is good then it's the starter. You can verify the ground connection by measuring voltage between engine case and -V terminal of the battery. Should have close to zero volts when the starter is engaged.
 
Ground is good as well.

OK... I guess I will pull it out and inspect the armature. I would rather pay $16 for a rebuild kit than $35 or more for a used starter.
 
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