New here
FWIW, my 1990 was getting a little ishy on starting last year. First push of the starter button would, maybe half of the time, produce a nice click and nothing else.
Last winter I did a bunch of stuff to her, including relocating the battery under the seat. That necessitated shortening the battery cables. I also pulled the solenoid out and gave it a good clean. And redid the cable ends and gave everything elsr a nice clean too.
After all that, she fires right up. First time, every time.
Last winter I did a bunch of stuff to her, including relocating the battery under the seat. That necessitated shortening the battery cables. I also pulled the solenoid out and gave it a good clean. And redid the cable ends and gave everything elsr a nice clean too.
After all that, she fires right up. First time, every time.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 410
Likes: 127
From: Iowa
All good info and suggestions so far...
If it were mine, the first thing I would determine is "exactly what is clicking" when you push the starter button.
As you probably know, the starter button sends power to the starter relay which sends power to the starter solenoid, which sends power to the starter motor.
Since you hear a click when you push the button, the starter button seems to be working OK.
Assuming the starter relay is really good like you say ... (how do you know unless you've used a voltmeter at the solenoid to see if +12 volts is getting to the "trigger" post when you hear the click?)....then the next thing to check is the solenoid.
Without a voltmeter, you're just guessing when it comes to electrical problems. And guessing can get expensive real quick.
Good luck in getting this fixed! You can do it if you use the right tools and this forum.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,143
Likes: 12,707
From: South Carolina
No, not especially the grounds, all connections...
People are fixated on grounds....
Ground connection, positive connection...equally important.
It`s a circuit, a poor connection anywhere is a poor connection.
People are fixated on grounds....
Ground connection, positive connection...equally important.
It`s a circuit, a poor connection anywhere is a poor connection.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,466
Likes: 425
From: Illinois
Agreed Dan-a bad ground can cause problems,but a bad positive connection can cause heat,can cause melted cables,melted positive battery post,and sometimes even a fire.
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6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 11
Likes: 1
From: charlottesville
Grounding out, what does that mean?
Fully charge the battery and have it load tested, until you do that don`t tell us the battery is good, even if brand new...
Clean up all the electrical connections for the battery and at the relay and starter solenoid, don`t just check to see if they are tight, take them apart and clean them.
If the problem still persists after doing the above, get out your voltmeter, and keep your wallet in your pocket.
Don`t go out and start buying parts.
Fully charge the battery and have it load tested, until you do that don`t tell us the battery is good, even if brand new...
Clean up all the electrical connections for the battery and at the relay and starter solenoid, don`t just check to see if they are tight, take them apart and clean them.
If the problem still persists after doing the above, get out your voltmeter, and keep your wallet in your pocket.
Don`t go out and start buying parts.