Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[medic10]

well boys my bike just came out of the shop and my wallet now has $180.00 less in it, the solenoid ent bad the starter switch was good, anyway my bike is up and running tearing up the pavement hopefully that will be the end of that. again thanks to all for the input

[jmdaniel]

I have the same thing on my 1300. It seems like there is a dead spot in the starter. My work around is to pull the clutch, shift into first, push the bike a few feet, and release the clutch. This seems to prod the starter just a bit, and the bike then fires right up. Good luck! 

[hipshot]

Check your starter switch. There is a tutorial on switch maintenance on the Rattlebars site; if my memory serves correctly it even has photographs. The Honda starter switch is a marginal piece of engineering.

[hooter]

started having trouble with my 2002 VTX1800C, battery fully charged, will hit the starter switch and nothing happens, the lights on the instrument panel flicker when I hit the button but nothing happens. can anyone help. where is the starter located in case I need to get it changed. or is it possible that the starter button can also go out. please help via e-mail medic10@sbcglobal.net

It's worth a check cause mine did the same thing a while back, the battery terminals vibrated loose. Turn on the switch, my fuel pump would pressure up, head light come on but when I hit the starter switch, the lights would flicker but nothing would happen, not even click. It's worth a look, was for me
Al

[Crewsn]

definetly pay special attention to the starter switch. it's notorious for causing problems. ditto on what hipshot said about the rattlebars site. not to difficult to clean up. good luck.

[snake]

To see if it's the starter button and not the starter, pull off your side cover, exposing the starter relay/solenoid. Turn on your power switch to the run position, have the bike in neutral, and use a remote starter switch to jump the two cables on the solenoid. A pair of needle nosed pliers works well too, just not p/c! If your switch goes out on the highway, use your pliers to jump. Been there, done that. Unfortunately, I had friends push start me once before I thought to do this. (Sorry Chad, Mini..I wasn't at my best that day. I am not sure about where the solenoid is on a 1300... I'd guess it is under the left sidecover as on the 1800. Even without the key being turned on, It will turn the starter if all is ok but for the starter button. Be sure the sidestand is down and the bikes in neutral! This is the way to start your bike when the solenoid goes out until you get a new one, also.

[snake]

PS. DO NOT use a small wire to arc across the two bolts on the starter relay... It will turn red hot instantly and melt/burn through the insulator AND your skin! You have been warned!

[Dusty]

PS. DO NOT use a small wire to arc across the two bolts on the starter relay... It will turn red hot instantly and melt/burn through the insulator AND your skin! You have been warned!

Got Scars? 

[hooter]

Keep us up dated as to what it was 

[snake]

Got Scars? 

Not from that... I used to smoke though...and worked in an area they wouldn't let cigarrette lighters in!   Had to light 'em up somehow!

[medic10]

OK, everyone it was the starter switch, thanks to everyone hipshot, snake and everybody that thought it was the switch, that is what it was, I got my bike started by bypassing the starter solenoid, it almost ruined a good pair of needlenose pliers but I got it started, Now I don't know if I should try to get the switch going myself or take it to the local bike mechanic, But everyone again thanks and looking forward to doing some riding in the Texas Hill Country very soon, maybe one day someone puts together a ride and we all get to meet, until then happy riding.

J.L. Martinez

[Crewsn]

here's the link to the website to guide you through cleaning the switch. it's easy to do, just pay attention to what your doing. took me about 30-45 minutes to do. good luck.
http://www.rattlebars.com/mtz/starter.html

[snake]

If your switch is bad and your solenoid is good , all you have to  do to start it is jump from the battery lead connection + side of the solenoid to the small push on wire (spade lug) right beside it to get it to start. It will have much less arc, easier on the needlenose pliers! You can get a momentary type tractor starter switch (push button, only on while pushed) and attach it to the two points just mentioned( a fuse for safety purposes attached to the Battery/solenoid terminal will keep it safe) to use while awaiting the 57 dollar handlebar switch.

[medic10]

OK, thanks for the info, my bike is going to the shop on saturday, I don't think I am that mechanically inclined to work on the switch myself.
again, thanks everyone
J.L. Martinez