Is my starter going?

625 Views 6 Replies 6 Participants Last post by morriscatt, Jul 21, 2009

MoneyGuy

Discussion Starter · Jul 21, 2009

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I'm trying to troubleshoot this.

A few times over several days (I ride my Wing almost every day) I would hit the starter and nothing would happen, then I'd try it again and it worked. I never had much time to do anything about it, then today I hit the starter and nothing. I tried it several times and nothing, nothing, nothing. Finally,I sat on the bike, put up the kick stand and put it into first gear then back into neutral and this time it started. Could putting it into gear and back into neutral do anything?

Is my starting going on me?

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chris in va

· #2 · Jul 21, 2009

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Someone that has a 1200 will be along shortly to say definitively, but many of the more modern bikes have a sidestand safety switch so you don't ride off with it down. I did this on my 83 1100, nearly made me wreck. Yours may have that and would only let you start the bike in neutral with the sidestand down.

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AZgl1800

· #3 · Jul 21, 2009

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You should be able to start the bike with the clutch pulled in all the way.

But, yours may have the neutral switch wired into the starting circuit, and that switch maybe be what is giving you a problem.

Or, the starter solenoid might be going bad. Tap it with a small hammer or wrench and see if that allows it to start. IF that does the trick, then replace the solenoid.

Don't over look checking all battery cables, grounds, connections on the solenoid, and the starter terminal. Don't twist that terminal bolt, or you will spin it and then the starter is junk.

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MoneyGuy

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jul 21, 2009

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Chris, there is no kickstand safety switch. I've actually taken off with the kickstand down once or twice, without incident.

AZgl1500 wrote:

You should be able to start the bike with the clutch pulled in all the way.

But, yours may have the neutral switch wired into the starting circuit, and that switch maybe be what is giving you a problem.

Or, the starter solenoid might be going bad. Tap it with a small hammer or wrench and see if that allows it to start. IF that does the trick, then replace the solenoid.

Don't over look checking all battery cables, grounds, connections on the solenoid, and the starter terminal. Don't twist that terminal bolt, or you will spin it and then the starter is junk.

Where do I find the solenoid?

Thanks for the info thus far. It is appreciated.

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Snorebaby

· #5 · Jul 21, 2009

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It is located on the right side of the battery. About middle ways down. It has a rubber holder that holds it in place. About $40 to replace.

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gotta love the wing

· #6 · Jul 21, 2009

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A weak battery will also give you these symptoms. Also try cleaning the switch it may just be dirty.

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morriscatt

· #7 · Jul 21, 2009

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Some of us have flipped the solenoid contacts before spraying with contact cleaner and that has fixed it for nearly nothing. Just a cheap idea. But bed careful with that terminal like AZ said.

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