| Author | Message | ||
     Bueller416 |
2001 s3t,power to everything but when start button is pressed just the relay clicks. I replaced the battery and relays cleaned about every contact and ground I could find still nothing. Any suggestions on how to rule out the starter? What is the proper way to jump the starter? | ||
| 5liter |
Did you check your ground strap from the frame to the swing arm block? | ||
| Spiderman |
I had this happen before and it ended up being a grounded Neutral Switch. The one behind the sprocket cover. Gremlins like these are a PITA. | ||
| No_rice |
i hate electrical problems. you can chase them forever and still never resolve it. | ||
| Bueller416 |
If your talking about the braided strap then yes. | ||
| Hootowl |
Take the cover off of the starter solenoid(three little bolts on the right side of the starter/solenoid assembly.) Use piece of dowel or some other non conductor, and press the solenoid all the way in. The bike should start. If it does, the problem is most likely the solenoid contact. The side contacts don't wear evenly, and the plunger has to rock sideways to contact them both at the same time. You can buy a new set, including the plunger/ring contacts for about $50. If the contacts look fine (one of the side contacts is usually pretty heavily worn when this problem occurs) you may want to check your ignition switch. The current for the plunger winding goes through the ignition switch. If the contacts are fried, there won't be enough current to fully engage the plunger, which has to fight the spring at the end of its travel before it makes contact with the side contacts. So, check the solenoid contacts, then the ignition switch. | ||
| Bueller416 |
I pushed the plunger in and the starter cranked the motor over. Then the spring on the plunger get red hot and smoke poured out of it. Half the spring was left inside and I managed to get it out. What will I have to replace now? | ||
| Hootowl |
The spring comes with the plunger. I can't imagine why the spring would have cooked. All you're doing by pushing the plunger is the work the electromagnet does when you thumb the start button. The electrical path is the same. The current path is side contact to ring contact to side contact. The spring is not in play. You didn't let the plunger spring out of the solenoid housing when you let go of it did you? If the spring shorted across the two side contacts, it would probably smoke. By the way, you can buy a solenoid cover that has a push button on it for just this purpose. | ||
| Bueller416 |
So do you think I need a solenoid rebuild kit now and then move on to the ignition switch? | ||
| Spiderman |
Then the spring on the plunger get red hot and smoke poured out of it. WOAH!! There is something else wrong! It sounds like a negative ground or other shorting issue. That spring wouldn't have gotten hot unless of a shot of some sort... | ||
| Hootowl |
The problem was likely your solenoid to begin with. Take a look at the side contacts. One of them is probably really worn down, such that the plunger ring contact isn't able to contact both of them easily. This is the kind of problem that gets worse once it starts because once the gap opens up, additional starts cause arcing that further erodes the contact, making it worse. You can change the contacts without removing the starter, if you have a stubby wrench. You'll want to disconnect the battery first. | ||
| Hootowl |
It sounds like the spring came partially out and contacted the side contact that is hooked to the battery. Dead short. | ||
| Bueller416 |
I think that is exactly what happened because you can see on the plunger ring where it arched. I will buy a rebuild kit and go from there. Does anybody know the part # from a sportster that will work? The local Harley dealer doesn't carry anything for Buell. Is there a better aftermarket one I can order? | ||
| Hootowl |
You can get them from a dealer, but they're way overpriced. Here's one for under $12 http://www.liquidchopperstore.com/m17756.html | ||
| Ratbuell |
By the way, you can buy a solenoid cover that has a push button on it for just this purpose. Hm. I'm diggin' on that idea, might have to do some research on that one. Just another weapon in the ol' arsenal (and with 16, 13, and 9 year old tubers in the garage...every little bit helps!). | ||
| Ebutch |
Thanks Jeff Good Price!!!!!!My Two Seals of Approvel  | ||
| Bueller416 |
Great price on the kit but is does not come with the spring. Called the local dealer and the only way to get the spring is buy the $57.00 kit... Anybody know how or where I can get just the spring? | ||
| Hootowl |
There are other kits available online. Google sportster solenoid rebuild. I picked one up with the spring for $30 about a year ago. | ||
| Preybird1 |
HD sells it for $56.00 wow rip off. But we already knew that. (stealership) | ||
| 5liter |
Got a push button cover on my solenoid. Real perty Chrome one. | ||
| Fahren |
Here's a good write-up for a home-made pushbutton as a backup system: http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showthread.php? t=342693 Looks pretty simple. | ||
| Spiderman |
Called the local dealer and the only way to get the spring is buy the $57.00 kit. Tha kit should come with a part list, and that part list should have a number that you can order just the spring. I would contact a BadWeb sponsor just to see if you can get a spring... | ||
| Fahren |
just looked in my s1 parts catalog - try PN 31600-90 SPRING, return. HD has it listed as: RETURN SPRING, FXDS, XLH1200 | ||
| Kyrocket |
I've thought for a long time about getting a push button for the starter, you can get them in black and chrome from most of the big name catalog dealers. I've heard of old school guys just drilling a small hole in the cover and carrying around a nail to start the bike but then you'd have to worry about moisture getting in. | ||
| Fahren |
See link 5 posts above for a home-made how-to using a spring, a bolt from Lowes and a grommet. | ||
| Bueller416 |
Alright here we go again...I got the solenoid rebuild kit and a new spring installed. Same thing click,click,click. I removed the cover and was a little more careful this time then pushed the plunger in, nothing. I am thinking I messed something else up...Any suggestions? Go figure I am wanting to sell this bike which is extremely nice and now I can't get it to start.. |
