Another Dreaded Click, Click...
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Joined: May 2008
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From: South Carolina
He said the voltage does not drop, which indicates that the circuit is not being completed somewhere along the way.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: W. Texas
Use a test light at the solenoid small wire and see if it lights up when the starter button is pressed .
DMV's are great but a test light will tell a little bit more in this case
When you have time please try this simple test
Connect the test light across the battery and note the brightness of the test light.
Now connect the test light to the small wire on the solenoid, press starter button and note brightness.
Then disconnect the small wire and see what happens with the test light touching the small wire only while pressing starter button
WP
DMV's are great but a test light will tell a little bit more in this case
When you have time please try this simple test
Connect the test light across the battery and note the brightness of the test light.
Now connect the test light to the small wire on the solenoid, press starter button and note brightness.
Then disconnect the small wire and see what happens with the test light touching the small wire only while pressing starter button
WP
Last edited by WP50; Jul 20, 2023 at 08:52 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,032
Likes: 12,560
From: South Carolina
You need to know the actual voltage in the circuit while it is under load, the only way you can do this is by using a voltmeter.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 143
Likes: 22
From: California
Here's what we have this morning, test light, show power at relay red wire with black stripe lights without pressing start button. Black wire with red stripe when hitting switch get power and also at green wire which goes to starter solenoid. However no light at the end of the green wire that connects to the solenoid, with it connected and disconnected. So tracing back to relay moving wires and stuff to see how it's routed. Seems like a very short route from relay to solenoid.
So I hit the starter button again, this time got a solenoid click, seemed to be a strong click. Checked green wire again at solenoid, and now test light comes on. Also disconnected it, test and light comes on about same brightness as at the battery.
Voltage check 12.60 now at battery, however when checking green wire connected to solenoid it's dropping to 7.62 volts. That's with holding the button after it clicks. I don't think it should be dropping that low.
Also looking at wiring diagram in book, I have a 97-98 PDF. Looks to be the same as the 95 book I had.
So I hit the starter button again, this time got a solenoid click, seemed to be a strong click. Checked green wire again at solenoid, and now test light comes on. Also disconnected it, test and light comes on about same brightness as at the battery.
Voltage check 12.60 now at battery, however when checking green wire connected to solenoid it's dropping to 7.62 volts. That's with holding the button after it clicks. I don't think it should be dropping that low.
Also looking at wiring diagram in book, I have a 97-98 PDF. Looks to be the same as the 95 book I had.
Last edited by mikey95hd; Jul 20, 2023 at 10:50 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,183
Likes: 2,131
From: W. Texas
Using the test light will not tell you more, it will only tell you that there is sufficient voltage in the circuit to illuminate the light.
You need to know the actual voltage in the circuit while it is under load, the only way you can do this is by using a voltmeter.
You need to know the actual voltage in the circuit while it is under load, the only way you can do this is by using a voltmeter.
I stopped by a friends shop some many years ago , he had a bike doing much the same.
Through some trial and error we found that the wire at the solenoid would show system voltage with the start button pushed.
How ever when a test light was used the test light barley glowed. Hell back then we only had a half *** analog volt meter . not in the best of shape
A little cking things out, found some chewed up wiring still barley connected.
I used this method for years as a quick simple test in the service drive or out and about.
It many times headed me in the right direction to a simple fix. Simple fix not apparent___ get the volt meter out.
Nowadays a Fluke lives in my tool box
Respects WP
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 143
Likes: 22
From: California
Yes sir I understand where your coming from. I'll try to make my story short
I stopped by a friends shop some many years ago , he had a bike doing much the same.
Through some trial and error we found that the wire at the solenoid would show system voltage with the start button pushed.
How ever when a test light was used the test light barley glowed. Hell back then we only had a half *** analog volt meter . not in the best of shape
A little cking things out, found some chewed up wiring still barley connected.
I used this method for years as a quick simple test in the service drive or out and about.
It many times headed me in the right direction to a simple fix. Simple fix not apparent___ get the volt meter out.
Nowadays a Fluke lives in my tool box
Respects WP
I stopped by a friends shop some many years ago , he had a bike doing much the same.
Through some trial and error we found that the wire at the solenoid would show system voltage with the start button pushed.
How ever when a test light was used the test light barley glowed. Hell back then we only had a half *** analog volt meter . not in the best of shape
A little cking things out, found some chewed up wiring still barley connected.
I used this method for years as a quick simple test in the service drive or out and about.
It many times headed me in the right direction to a simple fix. Simple fix not apparent___ get the volt meter out.
Nowadays a Fluke lives in my tool box
Respects WP
2016 CBR 1000 SP.
Last edited by mikey95hd; Jul 20, 2023 at 10:58 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,183
Likes: 2,131
From: W. Texas
Kudos You have done some real diagnostics
Lets hope Dan or a couple of the fella's chime in.
With the load the solenoid can put on the circuit I'm thinking 7.62 might be a stretch??????
WP
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 143
Likes: 22
From: California
That seems to be a drastic drop in voltage for a rebuild starter. Anyway I just got a email and the new starter relay arrived at the Post office. Not that will change things, it might...
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,183
Likes: 2,131
From: W. Texas
If it's in hand give it shot. Are you positive there isn't another relay on the bike that could swap places? ahh never mind ya got a new one use it
Could we talk you into doing the voltage test again after new relay?
Just for curiosity
WP
