Starter/Electrical Issues (again...)

[Labswine]

Ok, I had this issue before back in October, so at the suggestion of all who responded to my post, I cleaned the starter button contacts and such, and that seemed to work...at the time...

Today I went to start up the bike (below in sig) to fill the tank for winter (added stabil and seafoam) and got the same results as before...

I turn the key and get all the idiot lights, hit the starter button, hear a "bzzzt" and all the lights go out...there is nuttin'.

Well after letting sit for about two to three minutes, tried again and she fired right up.

Went got gas (used spare key for tank, not wanting to shut off the bike) and came home.

Parked the bike in the shed, turned off with the kill switch. Put the switch into run position, and tried the starter button and got the same "bzzzt" and total death.

The "bzzzt" seemed to come from under the bike. Is there some sort of relay on the starter that might be going (or has gone) bad that is an easy replacement or what?

Any ideas?

Thanks

[tubes_rock]

Yup, that relay is the starter solenoid, located (usually) under the seat. Follow the red wire on the battery to the first thing it comes to. That's the starter solenoid, and it looks like a small metal film canister. It's nothing more than a high-current relay.

That "bzzzt" that you're getting (By the way, my New Hampshire vanity plate is "+BZZZT-" so that's cool!) is the solenoid chattering.

The most common cause of this is this: You push the starter button and power activates the solenoid, sending power to the starter. The starter draws so much juice that it lowers the voltage of the battery and the the battery can't supply enough power to keep the solenoid activated, so it de-activates. This cuts the power to the starter, so the battery voltages comes back up, providing enough power to activate the relay again, and the cycle continues, making that buzzing sound.

This is usually caused by a weak or failing battery, but also can be caused by poor power connections on the battery which rob the starter of power and give the same symptoms. Check that your battery terminals are tight and free from corrosion. Also check the other end of the battery cables and be sure that they are properly attached and tight.

--Justin

[SHADOW 1100T]

Justin is right about a weak battery doing that but seeing how it did start the second time I suspect a bad ground at the battery or on the frame, sometimes there paint under the cabel end and thru time from starting the bike it can arc and finally not be a good ground, clean everything real good and check the positive also and give it a try.

[Labswine]

Thanks guys...much appreciated

I did check over the battery connections and ground last time I had this issue and they are clean and tight.

The battery seems to have enough juice because when it finally started the other day, there was plenty of crank in it.

The battery IS 4 years old, though...so come spring I'll replace it...just on general principle as it is prolly nearing the end of it's useful life.

One last question...could that starter solenoid be going bad? How can I check that (besides the obvious "bzzzt" )? If it truly is that, is it an easy (and inexpensive) replacement? I haven't looked at it to find it...bike's sleeping until the next warm(ish) day here in Joisey.

[SHADOW 1100T]

Batt 4 years old???, your lucky, this spring put a new battery in and then see if it buzzzs, bet it won't, solenoids are for the most part bullet proof by design, it's low voltage that causes the buzz.