So I was out riding, stopped to make a phone call, went to start the bike... "Click!" from under my @$$. Nothing else. I turn on the key and the lights come on, the tach spins up, I hear the fuel pump buzz I push the start button and just hear a click which I'm about 98.73% sure is coming from the starter solenoid. Is there a way to check to see if it's bad? I can buy one for $20 on eBay but don't want to waste the money or time if that's not it. I have pretty much taught myself everything I know about motorcycles so please speak like I'm a moron. It's my way to work so I'm hoping it's something easy... And cheap. Thanks everyone
I would bet, you have low battery voltage. Probably just enough voltage to turn on lights and ignition, but not enough to spin the motor.
Check battery voltage and while hitting starter button, it will probably drop off.
If so, charge battery start bike and check charging voltage as well.
It's rare a solenoid goes bad. :wink
P.S. How old is your battery? and what brand battery is it?
I tried jumping it and did the same thing. If it was the battery then jumping should have worked?. Unfortunately I can't crank and test voltage at the same time, so hoping it could be diagnosed another way
The cluster doesn't go off, stays on. I just hear the click from the solenoid. I'm not totally sure how to find the starter or how to test it. I have a multi meter but not totally sure where to use it or what it should show. Like I said I have taught myself everything I know about most things, so I'm not always up on technique or vocabulary. I heard some people put jumper cables director to the starter to see if it would start. If anyone could walk me through that, or how to test the starter with my meter I would be really grateful
Make sure you have at least 13V in battery remove seat, find the solenoid. Use a pair of insulated(rubber) handle pliers and touch both main terminals together, if the bike cranks easily, it just might be your solenoid.
Or you can remove the starter cable from the solenoid, get your volt meter and put the positive meter lead on the solenoid main starter terminal the other ground to frame or battery when you pull clutch and hit starter button with key on, you should get voltage at the starter terminal on the solenoid.(leave battery cable connected to solenoid)
Follow the + lead from the battery to the starter solenoid.
There are two large wires attached to the solenoid, one to the battery and the other to the starter.
Set your meter to read 12v DC. Connect the black lead to ground.
Touch the red lead to the battery side terminal of the solenoid and you should have battery voltage (about 12.8 v)
Touch the red lead to the starter terminal and you should have zero voltage.
Turn the ignition on and press the starter button, the meter should jump to battery voltage. If it doesn't, the solenoid is bad.
If it does, follow the starter wire down to the starter (it's on the back of the engine) and apply the red lead to the wire lug on the starter. When you press the starter button, the meter should jump up to roughly battery voltage also. If it does, the starter is bad.
Thank you, I appreciate the help. I'm going to see if my girlfriend can loan me her hands and help me with it tomorrow, I'll get back to you with results. Thank you for everything...
Looks correct by picture DCV 20 scale(will read up to 20V) leads look correct.
Red on hot wire black on ground will display voltage. Test it on your battery first.
If he hasn't fixed it 6 years later I doubt he ever will.........
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