Subject: RE: Intermittent starter problem
Author: John Wells Jr
Date: Jul 6, 2005, 5:25 AM
Post ID: 1719121231
Pat, you hit the nail on the head! Loud clunk was starter solenoid
engaging without turning starter. I found an cheat to disassembly of
the solenoid which will hold for a while(??). I removed the solenoid,
depressed the plunger against the contacts and turned vigorously back
and forth to clean the contacts. Put it back in and it worked like a
charm. If it misbehaves again, I'll take it off and follow your
excellent instructions. Thanks very much for your input!!
Patrick Hayes wrote:
John Wells Jr wrote:
Curious about the "...loud click." The starter relay itself is burried under the middle of the bike. It has a weak little electromagnet and small parts. It makes a soft gentle click and is generally hard to hear. They are notorious for poor contacts and failing to energize the starter solenoid and starter. Your loud click may be the starter solenoid which rests directly above or below the starter. The solenoid has a hideous great electromagnet and huge contacts. It is capable of much louder click. The back end of the solenoid is a plastic cap with stout electrical contacts inside. When you activate the circuit, the solenoid pulls backwards to lever the starter pinion into the flywheel and, via these internal contacts, to energize the winding of the starter motor itself. It is not uncommon for the internal contacts to get wet, corroded, burned, roughed up, etc. so that there is occasionally no electrical contact to the starter motor even though the solenoid has activated. It is possible to de-solder and remove the rear cap of the solenoid to burnish all the contacts and lubricate the system. Some people just install a new solenoid. Caution, it is hard to save the gasket when you take it apart. Caution #2, it is imperative to re-use or replace the gasket so that you have proper spacing of the internal contacts. You'll not find another, so you'll have to fabricate something of the same thickness as original. Going without the gasket or a thinner gasket can lead to improper engagement between the starter pinion and the flywheel. Not sure which of these is your problem. Your use of the word "loud" heads me toward the solenoid itself. Next time it happens, put your hand on the solenoid itself and see if you can feel the click and motion. Patrick Hayes Fremont CA |
John Wells in Pa
MGNOC L-625
Buncha Guzzi's