common elec. problems...

[stevelknievel]

i just got a key for my 80 850 and since the battery is toast i jumped it from a car batt. everything came on but the starter didnt even try to turn over
what are some common areas in the starting circuit that may lead to this?
thanks in advance
steve

[chef1366]

Did you pull in the clutch? Clutch safety switch on GS models.

[Steve]

Hopefully the car was NOT running. That tends to bring up another list of repairs before long.

[stevelknievel]

hahaha i didnt even think of the NSS lol
and no my truck wasnt running

[TheCafeKid]

What year did they start putting those annoying not so safety switches in there??

[stevelknievel]

well its not the NSS the nuetral light is lit and even with it pulled in its not doing anything
any suggestions?

[TheCafeKid]

Starter solonoid is on the battery box. If you are looking at the LEFT side of the bike, it would be on the left side of the outside of the battery box, near your fuse block and possibly your R/R. Will have a lead running to the starter. With a GOOD battery, you can jump the solonoid poles with a screwdriver, or whathave you, just like a car, and see what happens. If you're not even getting a CLICK when you hit the button, chances are the solonoid may be shot. From there you can check the switch itself, the contacts commonly get corroded being in the elements as they can be, and could use a good cleaning. The starter itself could be bad, but i would think that it would at least make SOME sort of noise. I have a problem similar on my KZ440LTD that i havent bothered to track down yet. I have a feeling it may be actually in the KILL switch as im not getting spark even if i try to bump start the bike, but have lights, good battery, and everything else.