Steve Saunders Goldwing Forums banner

Starting Problems

1658 Views 8 Replies 8 Participants Last post by  tommyrich
imported post

:(I recently bought a 1985 Goldwing Interstate 1200. This bike had had a new battery installed about a month before I purchased it from a good friend of mine. He even showed me the receipts of the things he had done prior to the sale. After a week or so I bagan to have problems with my bike failing to start. I first thought that the starter may be going bad and dragging, but was suggested by someone to have the battery tested even though it was new. I had it tested and it showed as bad, so I replaced it with a new battery. This seemed to work for a week or so, but now im back to where I was. It seemed to be working fine and then all of a sudden it decides that it don't want to turn over. While trying to start it, it pulls the lights down, but as soon as I let off the starter button the lights come back up bright as to indicate that the battery is up. What could be some possibilites of things that could cause this problem. I don't think it is the Stator because the lights don't seem to drain the battery as I would think it would if it was not charging.

Thank You

Doug Vaught
Status
Not open for further replies.
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
imported post

Hello!

If the startermotor works fine when the battery is fully charged You probably have a bad connection. First check the thick cable from the battery to the the startermotor if its loose or if its damaged. Second check for bad contact in the power relay. The power relay often got burned contacts because of the high power.

Regards

Thomas / Sweden

:18blue:
imported post

Sounds like the battery is not charging. Along with inspecting all the connections, take a look at the stator wiring harness next to the battery on the left... If it's melted or burned, it needs to be replaced or repaired... The battery will last a short while (usually a few days) without a charge. Also, if you can jump start the engine, put a volt meter across the battery terminals. At idle, should read 12v+. Rev the engine... reading should max out at 14.2v-. That will tell you if the stator is charging the battery or not...
imported post

Don't jump off a running vehicle. Your onboard regulator will try to sink the source vehicle's alternator. If it's a small vehicle, you could get away with it, but if it's a rig with a 150 amp alt, bingo, there goes your regulator. There are some variables involved, but best not to go there. I put brushes with bigger braided wire in my starter, might be some Lucas brush, not sure. Got them at local alt. shop. Had to dress them down quite a bit. Have to use the same material as the orig. (sintered bronze?) Not sure. That LTD of mine cranks like there's no spark plugs in it. Even in gear, clutch pulled, and cold stiff oil. VERY, VERY tickled with the results. What a diff. in starting time. Like a nano-second, versus 1-3 secs! Best thingI ever did to the steed. Now if I can get rid of the clunk in rear upon take-off. Does it every time. Chkd. the swing brgs. Seem to be ok. Chk'd the axle, hitch, and any related hardware. nada. Ideas?
imported post

Doug, the headlight on the Wings will dim when you press the starter button, then brighten up when you let go the button. That's to relieve the load on the battery when starting. I agree with the other guys here, you should check to see that the battery is charging first.

Welcome to the forum. :clapper:
imported post

Doug, welcome to the forum :waving:

You didn't mention if the starter was dragging only when the engine is hot or not. If it drags only when the engine is hot, I suggest you pull your starter and replace the brushes, clean it up internally and ohm it out.A repair manual should give you all the specs and procedures. You don't need to pull the motor to get the starter out.

It made a world of difference on my 83 GL110 Aspencade! Mine did it only with a hot engine.

Bob :11grey:
imported post

Oregonwinger wrote:
Don't jump off a running vehicle.
No, stop it first!:cheeky1:
imported post

Funny, Paul :)
imported post

Doug I have exactly the same problem that you have. I have had 2 new starters installed, replaced the battery, cleaned all the connections, new wires, plugs, etc and can't still find the problem. The 1980 GL1100 is in the Honda shop as I write this. It is so frustrating. The charging system is ok, but it is intermittent that makes it hard to troubleshoot. I will get back to you as soon as I can. Tom
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top