Steve Saunders Goldwing Forums banner
Status
Not open for further replies.

GL1500 Strange starter reverse problem

9K views 31 replies 4 participants last post by  wingnprayer 
#1 ·
I have a 1988 gl1500 which developed a strange problem . Went to start it today and got just a click from the solenoid just to the rear of the battery....then nothing . Cycled the Key and got the same one click from the solenoid...then nothing . So next I cycled the key while holding the starter button in and it started immediately . Went to use reverse and it backed a couple feet and the engine quit . I have now repeated this cycle and its the same . Only starts if you cycle the key while holding the start button in , only reverses abit then the engine shuts down . I can start it this way and ride for an hour no problem . Battery is fully charged , terminals are clean and tight , alternator is charging 14 volts , side stand is up ,reverse lever is in correct position and functioning normal , checked all fuses and swapped relays around.... Anybody got any ideas ? thanks
 
#2 ·
The ignition switch contacts may be bad. You may want to try the following to make sure.

Remove the #11 15A fuse and connect the voltmeter positive prob to the "hot when on" end in the fuse holder and negative prob to the battery negative terminal or to a good ground on the bike.

Then watch if the voltage fluctuates or not while cycling the key as you have done before.

If you can read a steady voltage that means ignition switch is good. Report the result then we may continue troubleshooting.
 
#3 ·
The very first item to check would be to load test the battery.
 
  • Like
Reactions: redwing52
#4 ·
The start /reverse system is unique to 1988 and 1989. Why not start here. Listen to the two relays (solenoids) with a stethoscope and make sure both are clicking while trying to start normally. They are relay "a" and relay "B"." You should find both behind the battery under the right hand cover. Relay "A" is the one with the fuse and extra wires while "B" is the smaller simpler one. Both need to click for the bike to start. One is the starter hot and the other supplies starter ground.
 
#7 ·
I've got 12.6 on the input side of relay A and only get a little bump, 6v for a millisecond on relay a when starter is pushed . No power on either side of relay b at any time......that's when I try starting it normal . I have a wrecked 89 GL1500 so have lots of swap parts available.....just don't know what to swap ;)
 
#9 ·
Your close! You should have 12.6 on both sides of "A." Bad connection or relay "A" is bad. Internal connection bad at "A"?????
Relay "B" is ground and should have no power. Just a good ground at the big terminals with the button pushed. Bet if you jump a cable from the hot side of "A" to the starter positive it will start. Probably just jump the big studs on "A" and push the button at the same time bet it will go.
 
#8 ·
If both relays are clicking you almost have to have an issue with the relays or the cable or connections associated with the relays. The flow of power is from the battery + to the relay "A." If the button is pushed and the relay engages power flows through the relay and to the starter hot post. Check for power at all these places with the button held on. You should have 12 volts from the battery all the way to the starter.
The flow of ground is from the battery - (neg) to the relay "B." If the button is pushed and the relay engages ground flows through the relay and to the starter negative (ground) post. Check for good ground at all these places with the button held on. You should have a good ground all the way from the battery all the way to the starter.
If you have power and ground at the starter the starter must be bad. I know it can't hardly be if the starter works when you use your special method.
Think of it this way. Might help you understand how it works. If you ran a hot cable from the Battery to the starter and a ground cable from battery to the starter the starter would run and engage. That is basically what you have except both have relays that interrupt and connect there respective polarity cable. See attached.
 

Attachments

#10 ·
Thanks for your help Redwing52 . at least I'm starting to understand how it works . So I replaced both A and B relays and the reverse relay beside reverse fuse off the donor bike , No change . So I checked for power on positive relay A . Red wire has 12 volts and brown/red wire has nothing at any point in the starting process and yellow/red has only a flash on the test light when the key is on and you hear the first loud click , then nothing after that til key is cycled again . Only strange thing as I replaced parts and checked for function , I had no change except when I installed the reverse relay , the first time I tried it , the bike started normal , but then same old cycle ....?? The problem must be where the signal is sent to relay A . something is not telling the relay to close and stay closed til starter button is released , or is that flash the signal and theres a problem like a short or something so it quits sending the signal .
 
#13 ·
Does the yel/red wire have power when you push the start button? The brn/red is part of the ground circuit and should not (NOT) have power if the bike is configured to start. (in neutral or the clutch pulled in)
If the yel/red (this is the wire that goes to the start button) has power and the brn/red is grounded the relay should close. (Click) Both relays need to close (Click) when the start button is pushed. One will send power to the starter while the other will send ground to the starter. Relay "A" sends power while "B" sends ground.
 
#12 ·
Here is the simplified start circuit diagram for your bike
Do you get voltage at yel/red wire when you press and hold the start button?

The relay A and B are both in the start circuit. That means they should only click when you press the start button, first Relay A and then it will trigger relay B.

You can think the relay A as a safety switch which prevents starting in gear unless "the clutch is in and side stand is up" or gear is in N.
 

Attachments

#15 ·
So I replaced both A and B relays and the reverse relay beside reverse fuse off the donor bike , No change . So I checked for power on positive relay A . Red wire has 12 volts and brown/red wire has nothing at any point in the starting process and yellow/red has only a flash on the test light when the key is on and you hear the first loud click , then nothing after that til key is cycled again .
 
#16 ·
The problem must be where the signal is sent to relay A . something is not telling the relay to close and stay closed til starter button is released , or is that flash the signal and theres a problem like a short or something so it quits sending the signal . It does click when the key is turned on and the starter button pushed.......but with test light on yellow/red wire at that point, it just flashes like a camera..... ?
 
#21 ·
When I jumper the 2 posts on relay A with a heavy wire and with the key on , starter cranks engine but dosent start it . The heavy wire I use gets hot in about 5 seconds of cranking . Checked for voltage on yellow/red ..........has only a flash on the test light when the key is on and you hear the first loud click , Voltmeter only very briefly shows .6 volts when relay clicks then nothing after that til key is cycled again .
 
#23 ·
When I turn the key on , and put the voltmeter on the red /yellow wire and then push the start button , the relay clicks and I get 0.6 volts when the relay is clicking for only a very short period of time , then it reads 0.0 and stays at 0.0 wether I push start button or release it . I get the 0.6 volts again for a second , if I cycle the key and push start button again Thanks for your help....I don't know how else to explain it . So , no , theres no power to red/yellow wire except for a very brief period of time whoen I get 0.6 volts during first click.
 
#24 ·
Ok good, but it was important to hear it clearly. If you examine the diagram that I have posted, I am trying to check the circuit systematicly. If we skip one step we can't troubleshoot properly.

If you don't want to continue with me please tell.

Now check the #2 10A fuse in the left fuse box.

And check the relay #8 clicks when the key is turned on, by touching it. You will need to remove the relay cover which is a little bit difficult if you haven't done before.

Assuming the start button is good; if the fuse is good but relay 8 does not click, then the problem is at the bank angle sensor, we can bypass it, we can discuss how to do it later.

If the fuse is good and relay 8 clicks, then the problem is at the relay 8, you will need to change it.
 
#26 · (Edited)
PHP:
You are good so far. Don't give up.
The only thing left is the bank angle sensor.

You can find its green connector under the seat, and it can be bypassed by jumping across the red/white and green wires in the connector.

After troubleshooting it can be replaced with a new one off course.
 

Attachments

#28 ·
WELL....Got the advice from two places at the same time on the bank angle sensor and both were right , replaced the BAS from donor bike and all is good . So possibly if a bank angle sensor is bad , one test might be to cycle the key while holding the start button....???? I also cleaned and tested all the diodes when I was back in there anyhow . Thank You ALL very much and especially Erd for your patience, everything takes me a long time as I have no feeling in my Fingers and only 2 of them actually work right........ I'm back on the road , I really appreciate this forum . Happy Trails
 
#31 ·
Just a final note, since you used a Bank Angle Sensor from a 89 model, you should be aware of the recall about the replacement of bank angle sensors on the 88-93 models. Check the X mark at the place shown in the service bulletin below on the doner bike to make sure you are using the new version of BAS.
Check the mark on yours also and if needed you may want to stamp it for later owners.

http://www.argwrra.org/Service_Bulletins/GL1500/1500SB6.pdf
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Top