So this 83 vt500 has been running great since I've fixed the starter clutch and flywheel issue until I went to leave the bar last night.
When I hit the starter all I get is a click. The headlight dims as it should as well.
Now I was able to get her going by jumping the solenoid terminals and she cranked right up but I don't know how to approach this problem. I'm fairly confident it's in the starter switch.
Do you have a shop manual for your bike? (Not a Clymer or Haynes, but a Honda Shop Manual with schematics.)
Do you have a multimeter and do you know how to use it? (Don't take this as condescending if you do. You would be surprised how often the answer is "no.")
Have you checked all connections to the battery, solenoid, starter, and any safety switches?
Have you tried bypassing any and/or all safety switches?
I'm not famlliar with this particular bike, but those I know about have all the safty switches in the circuit to the solenoid. So if the selenoid clicked or pulled in it couldn't be any of the safety or interlock switches. If the selenoid operated as you say, that's the same as jumping the terminals. Also if it did operate it can't be the starter switch. Maybe the selenoid contacts? IDK How has it done since? And it seems if you headlight dimmed it's a sign current was flowing to the starter. AFAIK the heavy current to the starter is the only thing that would pull enough current to cause the light to dim. So, if that happened to me, I'd suspect my starter. Like I say, I'm not at all familiar with the bike so my advice is questionable.
Yeah, I beena thinkin`... That could be dangerous, I know...
BUt...
IF you jumped across the solenoid terminals, and got the starter spinning, that tells me the solenoid could definitely be the faulty culprit...
Colder weather CAN make electrics more perfinicky...
Yeah, I beena thinkin`... That could be dangerous, I know...
BUt...
IF you jumped across the solenoid terminals, and got the starter spinning, that tells me the solenoid could definitely be the faulty culprit...
Colder weather CAN make electrics more perfinicky...
OH And >
My model cuts off the headlight when the start button is pressed as a feature to get all of the VOLTS to the starter...
I am unsure of your model start circuit charactoristics
IF as you say, the selenoid operates you can rule out the starter switch. That's what the starter switch powers. As well as the selenoid, check all your starter circuit connections including battery ground and if the starter has a ground to frame wire check it too.
I would look at your starter switch first. All of these other suggestions are just confusing the fact that the symptoms that you are having point right at a malfunctioning starter button. Open the clamshell and look at the contacts. They may be some corrosion or dirt in the contact causing a weak connection.
Welp...it was in fact the battery. Before the new solenoid had a chance to come in the mail I tried jumping her from the solenoid again and took her around the block. I stopped the engine, turned the key off and on again...and when I hit the starter she fired right up.
I let her charge a bit and now that it's warmer shes acting completely normal. I think the cold snap really just did a number on the lead acid battery and it looks like I'm gonna need a new one.
Thanks guys for all your help! I'm glad it wasn't a larger issue. I'll put the new solenoid in for good measure
Hopefully that was it but be aware a bad start switch will do that sometimes as JPR has said. If it happens again look at cleaning it. Starter Button Maintenance on Valkyries
Glad it`s going again...
BUT ++?
It won`t hurt to check things over again, just to be sure...
I`d start with seeing IF I could make the start switch act up, by pressing it in different angles and thumb positions...
ALSO take a reading of the charging system, to be sure it`s performing correctly...
Thank You for replying back on it too,
D
Mourning in Americus, GA
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