Starter stays engaged with engine running

[Mr. Mac]

The starter stays engaged after the engine is running.
The starter button seems to operate correctly. I cleaned it with contact cleaner spray. It depresses and returns fine.
Perhaps the starter relay is the culprit?
Any other ideas?
Thanks much.
Mr. Mac

[K2-K6]

Sounds like the relay could cause that, especially if it's had a lowish battery and "stuttered" the relay enough to arc it together. Should be able to continuity meter across the terminals to check it. If ok then meter the supply wires to the relay when ignition is on to see if they stay live.

Mechanically they have a one way clutch on the crank side of the generator. These don't usually cause any problems but you can check it by removing the starter motor then putting your finger in the hole, the gear should spin backward (clockwise looking from left side of bike) really easily but not forward. Motor should be off!! when doing this. The starter is always in contact with the crank gear unlike a car which dis-engages mechanically.

Hope this helps

[Mr. Mac]

WD40 lubricant was applied and seems to help. We shall see...

[Bryanj]

Have the left side panel off ready and locate the small wire to the solenoid, depress the button and if the starter stays engaged disconnect the small wire---if it stops its the button, if not its the solenoid

[Mr. Mac]

Thanks for the feedback, will give it a try.

[Yoshi823]

I have had a starter solenoid apart in the past because insufficient energy was getting through to the starter motor. I put a resistance meter across the heavy duty terminals & the meter reading wasn't zero, so took it apart & found that the connectors inside were quite badly corroded. With everything cleaned it worked fine.

It may well be that the internal connector has become 'welded' so to speak to each other, or the spring has broken that would otherwise return the moving contactor to its 'rest' position.

This is the best that I could find of what the internals look like...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2262/2098020147_aa3b641136.jpg

[Mr. Mac]

Awesome help, thanks to all.

[Mr. Mac]

I replaced the solenoid with one that tested OK. Still the starter stayed engaged.
Tapping on the push button switch resulted in disengagement.
I know now it is the switch, the button does not stick (externally) but the contacts apparently stay closed, intermittently.
Contract cleaner and WD40 seemed to help.
How hard is it to remove the contact switch and inspect (clean better) or replace?
Mr. Mac

[SteveD CB500K0]

Not difficult but watch out for the little springs when you open up the switchgear!

[Bryanj]

As you are in the USA you will have the switch that turns the headlamp off before engaging the starter and they are extremely fragile with age and a pig to work on.

Sorry to say a complete RH switch unit is the way to go for you

[SteveD CB500K0]

Hadn't spotted that Bryan...



..must be getting old 

[Bryanj]

Aint we all Steve aint we all

[Mr. Mac]

This might explain why the headlight came on (did not work before) for a few minutes while I was tinkering with the RH switch in place (oiling, depressing, and tapping on it).
So how to replace this complete RH switch? Where to find one??
Thanks much...
Mr. Mac

[SteveD CB500K0]

Best place would be to go to www.sohc4.net and speak to your compatriots - there are many more in the USA than here and they are closer!

... and they may have what you want.

Steve

PS: use the same username so that we recognise you.