[poorrichardstuff]

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I HAVE A 1988 GL1500, WHICH INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT
FIRE, EVEN
THOUGH IT RUNS GREAT ONCE IT DECIDES TO FIRE. IT HAS
GAS, SPINS OVER FINE, LIGHTS WORK. ETC., BUT NO SPARK
AT THE PLUGS. I BELIEVE IT TO BE
SOMETHING LIKE A DYSFUNCTIONAL
KILL SWITCH, BUT HAVE "PLAYED" WITH SAME WITHOUT
ANY RESULTS. ANY THOUGHTS?

 

[DaveO430]

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Have you checked that you have power to and through the kill switch? If you do then it may be the pulse generator. If not then the #6 relay may be at fault.

 

[poorrichardstuff]

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I'M JUST LOOKING FOR POSSIBLE COMPONENTS TO REPLACE, AS I'VE WASTED 5
WEEKS IN A HONDA DEALERSHIP WHERE THE BILL WAS A 4 FIGURE SUM, AND THE
MECHANIC DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM, BUT CHANGED PLUGS, AIR FILTER, ETC.. THE MOTORCYCLE IS A TRIKE WHICH I WANT TO REPAIR. THE PRODUCT IS A VERY COMPLICATED DEVICE WHICH EVEN THE "EXPERTS" APPARENTLY DO NOT UNDERSTAND. I'M A RETIRED MECHANICAL/ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING SPECIALIST, WHO WORKS IN A SHOP REPAIRING UTILITY VEHICLES WITH A TECHNICIAN HAVING 20+ YEARS REPAIR EXPERIENCE. EVEN REPAIR MANUALS DONT TELL YOU HOW TO REMOVE PANELS WHICH HIDE ALL OF THE COMPLICATED DEVICES/ CONNECTIONS ON THIS VEHICLE. WE'VE TRIED TO "TROUBLE SHOOT" THIS "SOPHISTICATED" MECHANISM, BUT THERE ISN'T RHYME OR REASON TO WHAT IS HAPPENING, SO I'VE PURCHASED A SECOND OPERATING VEHICLE, AND LIKE THE DEALERSHIPS, I WILL TRANSFER "PARTS" UNTIL THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS. I JUST READ AN ARTICLE ON THE INTERNET, AFTER MY POST, THAT SAYS THE GL1500 IS NOTORIOUSLY VOLTAGE SENSITIVE, AND THE 1ST LOGICAL EXPLANATION I'VE HEARD OTHER THAN SOME PARTS MAY NEED TO BE SWITCHED. I CAN REMEMBER WORKING MANY DAYS ON MY NORTON BEFORE REALIZING THAT IT WOULD ONLY START WHEN IT HAD A FRESHLY CHARGED BATTERY. WITH THE EXCESSIVELY LOADED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON THIS VEHICLE, DOES THIS MAKE SENSE TO ANYONE. THE VEHICLE RUNS PERFECT
IF IT DECIDES TO START. REGARDLESS, I WILL SWITCH THE COMPONENTS YOU'VE SUGGESTED, AFTER CHECKING THE BATTERY RESPONSE UNDER LOAD. ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THANKS, RICH

 

[Rudy]

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The 1500 is voltage sensitive during start.

It is common with stock alternators to have to use the start-on-release method of starting, where those with the higher starting voltages of say CompuFire alt systems will be in the click-start.

We have a poll and thread on that subject here someplace.

Anyway, make sure you are not suffering the start-on-release attribute and not noticing it.

Also I assume you are familiar with the cold nature of these beasts on startup.

 

[poorrichardstuff]

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR VERIFICATION OF THE ONLY LOGICAL EXPLANATION WHICH I'VE
HEARD. IT WAS VERIFIED LAST NIGHT, AS ALL I DID WAS CONNECT A TRICKLE CHARGER
OVERNIGHT, AND WITHOUT ANY OTHER MODIFICATIONS, THE CYCLE STARTED IMMEDIATELY THIS MORNING. I'M FLABERGASTED THAT A HONDA REPAIR FACILITY WOULD NOT KNOW, OR AT LEAST ACKNOWLEDGE THIS GL1500 CHARACTERISTIC. I
NOW UNDERSTAND WHY THE STOCK BATTERY WAS REPLACED WITH A HUMONGOUS
BATTERY LOCATED IN THE LOWER SIDE COMPARTMENT, AND NEED TO DETERMINE HOW TO OFFSET THE CONDITION. I ANTICIPATE VIEWING YOUR DISCUSSION OF THIS PROBLEM. YOU SURE ARE CORRECT ABOUT THE GL1500 BEING "COLD BLOODED", AND VERY CHOKE SENSITIVE, BUT AWESOME WHEN FINALLY "AT TEMPERATURE". YOUR OBJECTIVE INPUT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANKS!!!

 

[jmcannonball]

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Glad to hear you got it going again. Also, it would sure help my old eyes if you would post in lowercase type rather than all CAPS :-(

 

[Wichita Scorpion]

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Welcome to the forum from North central Texas!
You might type in "Trigger Wheel" in the search box. 1988 and 1989 GL 1500 are known to be cold natured on start and have a hesitation on starting to move. A 4 degree trigger wheel should help.:baffled:

 

[poorrichardstuff]

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Thanks for the comment, and UPPER CASE correction for communication. This "Senior" is so visually deficient that I can't hardly read text on my 22" monitor
unless it is typed in upper case letters, but understand possible offense.
I've now tested my voltage sensitive hypothesis on 3 occasions, and I've designed
a compensation system, but want to know if anyone has knowledge of a commercial
sytem designed to correct this problem? If so, where is it available? Cost? I'm tired of having my GL1500 trike hauled to my rural home, when taking it for a ride/stopping, and want to expeditiously correct this problem.
I'm new to dealing with Honda, being a Motoguzzi and Harley advocate, not
familiar with associative terms. What does "start-on-release" mean? "Click-start"?
Thanks for "input".

 

[poorrichardstuff]

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Thanks for the cold start suggestion. I've found that if I just apply the choke until I'm moving, I don't have an appreciable problem getting to an acceptable speed for
rural dirt roads. The closest "black-top" is some distance which allows "warm-up".
I love your sidecar cycle, having a Motoguzzi and Harley myself. I'm considering
construct a Goldwing sidecar assembly. I surmise that you don't have an "easy-steer" front assembly. Do you have any appreciable problems with acceleration/deceleration/turning? Thanks in advance for your input.