Does it matter which solenoid I get?

[Guest]

So, I shorted out the solenoid, and sure enough that was the issue preventing crank. Great need a replacement.

I have seen a few online from Advanced Auto and DB Electrical, but neither are specifically for my bike ('79 750). The DB Electrical is for the 750 years 80-82, and the AA one is generic. Is this a part that needs to be exact, or will any old replacement work?

[Big T]

Have you done the other half of the test? Put your voltmeter on the yellow/green wire on the solenoid and push the starter button

[thefoolofemmaus]

Nope, forgot that part.

[Steve]

What's the price for the ones you found? I have found the ones in the lawn tractor area at Lowe's, Home Depot, etc. are virtually identical to OEM in appearance and fit, and are VERY affordable.

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[Big T]

Nope, forgot that part.

Well, you don't know if the solenoid is bad, then, do you?

[thefoolofemmaus]

From DB they were $13, from AA it was $17.

[LAB3]

From DB they were $13, from AA it was $17.

Big T made a good point in making sure it's the solenoid and not the circuit leading to the solenoid. Your key, on/off switch on the handlebar and clutch safety switch have to be working to get the starter to crank, also there's the ground that the plate the solenoid is mounted to that has to be good as well. Grab a trouble light or meter to check that the solenoid is getting the signal to do it's job.

[bwringer]

Big T made a good point in making sure it's the solenoid and not the circuit leading to the solenoid. Your key, on/off switch on the handlebar and clutch safety switch have to be working to get the starter to crank, also there's the ground that the plate the solenoid is mounted to that has to be good as well. Grab a trouble light or meter to check that the solenoid is getting the signal to do it's job.

Yep, the ground connection to that rubber mounted mounting plate for the electrical stuff has tripped me up more than once. Sometimes there's just enough contact to light a test light, but not enough to operate the solenoid, etc.

And yeah, a garden tractor solenoid is the usual replacement if it's actually bad. Darn near the same size and configuration and does the exact same thing for $15-$17 or so at any home store.

[gsrick]

From DB they were $13, from AA it was $17.

Beware of DB products. I recently got one from them for a customers buggy they put a GS500 into. Worked 3 times then click, click, click, but no internal contact or continuity across the starter/ battery posts. I suspect that they are buying Chinese junk.