starter issues

881 Views 15 Replies 8 Participants Last post by "Captain D", Dec 12, 2014

bigrottenrottie

Discussion Starter · Dec 8, 2014

I am a new owner of a 1983 Honda Shadow 750. This is my first bike that I've ever had so I have no experience repairing them either. So I got it home yesterday and had to jump start it because it had a dead battery. I know that it needs a new battery since this one won't hold a charge. I knew it when I bought the bike. So anyway, I jump started it, got it running and started riding. I went back out today to another dead battery. The difference is today when I hooked up the booster to the battery, the engine started cranking over. They key wasn't on or even in the ignition. I'm assuming that something is shorting out but I don't know where to start looking. I'm not sure if it is a cylinoid or what. Any ideas?

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

KCochran

· #2 · Dec 8, 2014

Luckily have had no experience with your problem, that being said, in your place I would probably start with
http://www.hondashadow.net/forum/72...do-i-check-when-my-motorcycle-wont-start.html
and go from there. I'm sure more experienced folks will chime in sooner rather than later.
good luck

vito

· #3 · Dec 8, 2014

Get a hold of a service manual...that will have wiring schematics in it that will help greatly.
I'd check the ignition switch first....and the emergency cut off.

Good luck....and welcome to the forum.

bigrottenrottie

Discussion Starter · #4 · Dec 8, 2014

It is not a problem with it not starting. The problem is that the starter kicks in as soon as the power is hooked up to the battery. With the key in my hand, the starter should not be turning the engine over.

smilie

· #5 · Dec 8, 2014

Quit fiddling with a dead battery. Get a service manual and new battery, clean all your connections when you install the battery, and try it again. That way when you post again, we're all starting in the right place. Riding on a dead battery is just going to leave you and the bike stranded. Oh and BTW, welcome to the zoo.

Ramie

· #6 · Dec 8, 2014

Sounds like the PO rewired it for you.

"Captain D"

· #7 · Dec 8, 2014

I just recently replaced the starter switch on an 05 Ultra Classic for a fella which had similar symptoms as yours, but his would run the starter when he switched the bike to ON...
Harley doesn`t have "fixable" starter buttons though...
Switch Cleaning 101 tech sticky is your friend!

I truly suspect your starter relay/solenoid as your culprit though...

When diagnosing you aughtta start off with a KNOWN Good Battery...

Welcome to the zoo

Merry Christmas
Ann & Dennis

bigrottenrottie

Discussion Starter · #8 · Dec 10, 2014

I have found out, doing research, that it is most likely a starter relay. From what I figured out, these have the 2 leads coming off of it that go up to the starter switch. When you push the button for the starter, it makes contact inside this relay. When these go out, it basically bypasses the starter switch, therefore, it acts as if the starter switch is pressed non-stop. I'm going to get a new battery and this relay and I should be back on the road.

"Captain D"

· #9 · Dec 10, 2014

You might diagnose that symptom by disconnecting those starter switch connections you mention, temporarily...

jpr1968

· #10 · Dec 10, 2014

It's more likely the contact in the start button is the culprit. If it was the starter relay contact, the bike would be turning over with the key off. I would service your starter button after you replace the battery.

"Captain D"

· #11 · Dec 10, 2014

The problem is that the starter kicks in as soon as the power is hooked up to the battery. With the key in my hand, the starter should not be turning the engine over.
UNquote...
Reread this jpr

LLLL bring it over, I have nothing on the bench at present...

7xclm

· #12 · Dec 10, 2014

Replace the battery with a new fully charged one and go from there. Make sure the battery connections are clean and tight.

bigrottenrottie

Discussion Starter · #13 · Dec 11, 2014

jpr1968 said:
It's more likely the contact in the start button is the culprit. If it was the starter relay contact, the bike would be turning over with the key off. I would service your starter button after you replace the battery.

It does turn over with the key off...or better yet, the key in my hand before I even put it in the ignition.

"Captain D"

· #14 · Dec 11, 2014

Again, I suspect the solenoid...
Tap it lightly with a SMALL hammer or heavy screwdriver handle, it MAY break the connection???
Just a remedy I`ve used successfully in this case of stuck solenoid...

Merry Christmas
Ann & Dennis

bigrottenrottie

Discussion Starter · #15 · Dec 11, 2014

I ordered a different relay. It should be here in a few days.

"Captain D"

· #16 · Dec 12, 2014

Just for kicks & grins, did you tap it to see if it would help??

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

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