Starter relay investigation

[AllYourBikeAreBelongToUs]

Ok so I've been having trouble (I think) with my starter relay switch. I've looked up some other posts about people having issues with their switches and I'm pretty sure this is my problem, just looking for a second opinion.

So here's the lowdown, starter switch clicks just once when I hit the starter button and the engine will not crank. I checked the battery and it's sits at 11.73V and doesn't drop below 10V when attempting to crank the starter. Also only about 2V making it through the switch. Then after tinkering with this for the last few days and trying the starter and getting this click every time, I tried it again today and it made one last click and then I lost electrics on the whole bike. No click, no headlight, no horn, no nothin. Any thoughts?

[Schattenreiter]

Originally Posted by AllYourBikeAreBelongToUs

Ok so I've been having trouble (I think) with my starter relay switch. I've looked up some other posts about people having issues with their switches and I'm pretty sure this is my problem, just looking for a second opinion.

So here's the lowdown, starter switch clicks just once when I hit the starter button and the engine will not crank. I checked the battery and it's sits at 11.73V and doesn't drop below 10V when attempting to crank the starter. Also only about 2V making it through the switch. Then after tinkering with this for the last few days and trying the starter and getting this click every time, I tried it again today and it made one last click and then I lost electrics on the whole bike. No click, no headlight, no horn, no nothin. Any thoughts?

Not likely to be the starter relay since you lost headlights. More likely to be the starter button(most all current flows thru here) or the main fuse if everything is dead. Search for a fix to the starter button. I have a link for it on my other computer. I'll post it when I can.

[dark_controller]

Id say charge your first then try, should have about 12.5 volts just sitting. Then go from there. Also check your connections to the battery, ground, etc.

[RogueTim79]

I had a problem where the starter would pulse or not turn at all. After checking fuses and battery connections I traced to starter button and found that the contacts were corroded. After a little light sanding to clean and a layer of dialetric grease, I have never had a problem since. And yes all power flows through the switch that way when you push to start it breaks the connection to everything else allowing full battery power to starter. So if switch goes bad no more power and let us know what you find.

[jpr1968]

Batteries pooched. Charge it up and get it load tested.

[NNMHarmon]

I have the same problem on mine. I decided it was corrosion in the wiring harness that attaches to the relay. I would go through all the wiring on the bike and try to find anywhere where the wire is touching metal or another wire. Somehow it is shorting itself out. Let us know what you find out. I hope that helps.

[BrightRedVLX]

Originally Posted by RogueTim79

IAnd yes all power flows through the switch that way when you push to start it breaks the connection to everything else allowing full battery power to starter. So if switch goes bad no more power and let us know what you find.

Sorry but it doesn't quite work that way.

The actual starter current does NOT go through the switch and neither does "everything else". Only the headlight is cut off by that switch for starting.

It IS a major source of trouble with headlights AND with starting but the symptoms the OP gave don't match a bad start button switch.

[BrightRedVLX]

Originally Posted by jpr1968

Batteries pooched. Charge it up and get it load tested.

Bingo.

This is what you need to do FIRST.....because now your battery has died completely OR a loose connection has finally failed completely.

What did the battery voltage measure AFTER your total blackout ??
The 11.7 you measured first is NOT good.

Gotta cover the obvious things first before you start digging deeper.

[Schattenreiter]

Here is the link I promised. Has some good info.

Starter Button Maintenance on Valkyries

[AllYourBikeAreBelongToUs]

Thanks for all the help everyone, I'll start with a new battery and go from there. Might take a while to check through all the wiring and starter button but I'll let you know what I find. Thanks again!