Author Topic: Starter solenoid questions...  (Read 493 times)

Offline Athame57

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Starter solenoid questions...
« on: July 31, 2021, 08:22:08 PM »
I recently, probably needlessly it turns out, replaced my starter solenoid with an after market one from DSS and it is clear the one I replaced was also aftermarket, that is because I discovered the OE one stands in an upright position while the aftermarket one lies flat. See the image of the OE one that has a proper cover on, does anyone here know if that cover can fit on a flat laying aftermarket one, before I succeed in getting such an item at whatever cost. As you can see my solenoid top is exposed and I'm wondering if that could end up causing a short circuit  ( I feel I have one somewhere)
Before I discover after disconnecting my battery in the light of day tomorrow that I have three terminals being secured by those two nuts on top of the solenoid, is that to be expected, diagrams suggest not, but I need to find out before I pull things apart tomorrow. Sorry if I sound like an electronic retard, I probably am!
I brake for animals!
1978 CB400F2

Online McCabe-Thiele (Ted)

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Re: Starter solenoid questions...
« Reply #1 on: July 31, 2021, 09:10:33 PM »
Can you not change the mounting position of the solenoid back to vertical by means of a bracket or the proper mounting rubber?

From my memory the output side to the left of the solenoid goes to the starter cable. the other side will be battery, power to wiring loom & alternator / charge input with the spade terminal being the actuator so you wiring sounds about rigt to me.
« Last Edit: July 31, 2021, 09:35:19 PM by Macabethiele (Ted) »
Honda CB500 K1 (new pit dug out ready)
Honda CB400 four super sport (first money pit)
Link to my full restoration http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,23291.0.html

Offline Athame57

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Re: Starter solenoid questions...
« Reply #2 on: July 31, 2021, 09:32:37 PM »
I could get it at a cost of £22.00 from CMSL but I can't get the top cover one so far, it looks like I would need to.
I brake for animals!
1978 CB400F2

Offline Bryanj

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Re: Starter solenoid questions...
« Reply #3 on: July 31, 2021, 09:36:59 PM »
Yes tgere are three terminals

One from batt +ve on big terminal
One to loom(rect and main feed) on same terminal as batt
One to starter on other big terminal

Plus 2 small wires to operate 1 live 1 ground but one of them is only connected when starter button pressed

Online McCabe-Thiele (Ted)

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Re: Starter solenoid questions...
« Reply #4 on: July 31, 2021, 09:40:09 PM »
I could get it at a cost of £22.00 from CMSL but I can't get the top cover one so far, it looks like I would need to.

Mine is like your lower picture mounted vertically - looking at the mounting rubber could yours be a factory variant for the US or an early model ?
« Last Edit: July 31, 2021, 10:30:06 PM by Macabethiele (Ted) »
Honda CB500 K1 (new pit dug out ready)
Honda CB400 four super sport (first money pit)
Link to my full restoration http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,23291.0.html

Offline Athame57

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Re: Starter solenoid questions...
« Reply #5 on: July 31, 2021, 09:46:24 PM »
I scalped the lower picture off another post on here, it matches the ones in diagrams and manuals. The one I have doesn't , it is aftermarket. The brackets are the same all around though. In the past someone has tried to force ill fitting boots over it.
I brake for animals!
1978 CB400F2

Offline Athame57

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Re: Starter solenoid questions...
« Reply #6 on: July 31, 2021, 09:49:01 PM »
Yes tgere are three terminals

One from batt +ve on big terminal
One to loom(rect and main feed) on same terminal as batt
One to starter on other big terminal

Plus 2 small wires to operate 1 live 1 ground but one of them is only connected when starter button pressed
That's a relief. Whats the risk of electrical issues with the top being uncovered the way they are?
I brake for animals!
1978 CB400F2

Offline Bryanj

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Re: Starter solenoid questions...
« Reply #7 on: July 31, 2021, 10:15:32 PM »
Zero uless you drop something metal accross the big terminals

Offline Athame57

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Re: Starter solenoid questions...
« Reply #8 on: July 31, 2021, 10:31:31 PM »
Zero uless you drop something metal accross the big terminals
mmmmmmm... I did that in a last ditch attempt to start it!  :o ::)
I brake for animals!
1978 CB400F2

 

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