I have just recently had a problem, here it goes... riding all day, stop for a smoke, shut off the bike. When I went to start it, the following events take place. Turn on the ignition...flick the switch to run...I can hear the fuel pump...idiot light in the speedo goes out. Hit the starter switch...hear a loud click....then the bike goes dead. I mean dead... no head light, no nothing....DEAD ! Checked all the fuses, checked the battery terminals, everything seems to be good. A few minutes go by, fumbled with ignition switch, turned the key back and forth, still nothing...left the key in the on position...walked around the bike a few times scratching my head...all of the sudden ,without touching anything the headlight comes on and all dash lights come on... I think what the hell, gremlins? Hit the starter real quick, loud click, and then...DEAD ! This happens twice, in a matter of about 15 mins. Suddenly again the lights come on again, hit the starter, It goes!!, everything is back to normal, ride home and get her in the garage. Couple of hours later after everything is cooled down I figure I give her another try, she starts up as per normal, everything seems fine! What the hell is going on? Sure dont need this to happen 100 miles from home!! Anybody have any guesses???

 

I thought I read somehwere there's a thermal cutoff in the starter circuit. Sounds like that.

 

Splatter, do you know where you read about this?, I am willing to explore any avenue.

 

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Splat, if you're on the right track,
I would suspect the System Relay not the Starter Relay,

System Relay controls everything
including the ECM

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Mud, think I should replace the system relay with a new one? And take it from there?

 

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kj, that would be one good test.

another way to test..
next time this happens,
test for power in and power out of the relay.

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Going to HD right now, gonna get the relay and give it a try, Thanks.

 

Check Battery terminals and grounds behind the battery case first.


Simple things first, then brain surgery.

 

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Another good possibility.

and check both ends of the cables.

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hey before you spend money on a relay, check the ground and hot wires...not the ones on the battery, the ones that end at the starter, and the frame. then, i would check the terminals on the back of the fuse panel. i had a problem where my bike would die in the middle of riding. turns out, a terminal to the fuel pump relay on the back of the fuse panel wasnt seated causing the relay to lose voltage