SOHC.co.uk Forums > CB350/400
Starter Motor Not Working
Drew400:
So here's the next chapter of my starter story...
Thanks to Frisky, I have a shiny, almost new starter motor that works fine (off the bike). Here's the story:
1. Fitted the new starter, pressed the starter button and hey presto, same noise as before and no turning over of the engine (poo)!
2. Worried that I've knackered another starter motor, I remove it and test it on a car battery, it spins up just fine. No manliness worries this time (for those who've followed this thread)!
3. Me thinks, hmm perhaps my bike battery is struggling. So I re-fit the starter, connect up a fully charged car battery and still it fails to turn over the engine (and still those rattling noises from the solenoid area when I press the starter button).
4. My ingenious next test, illustrated below (well I think it's ingenious) is to fit the starter motor facing outwards to observe the cog end. The picture doesn't make it clear that the two lead are connected in mid-air! Sure enough, I press the starter button and same old noises from the solenoid area and the starter motor cog barely moves.
OK experts, do I now buy a new solenoid or is there something else to check first (remembering that I'm not very good with a multi meter).
Thank you again,
D.
Frisky:
Hi Drew,
It does sound like the solenoid. Don't worry about busting another motor, it shouldn't affect the motor if the solenoid is malfunctioning.
A simple check for the solenoid would be to get a large pair of insulated pliers and open up the jaws to the same size as the terminals on the solenoid. Briefly touch the pliers across the terminals and the starter should turn the engine over - watch for sparks though and make sure it is in neutral ! If it does, then the solenoid is faulty, if it doesn't then you probably have an earth fault with the engine earth cable or starter switch
Good luck
Drew400:
Nice one, thanks Frisky.
I'll update again when I've had a chance to try that.
Cheers,
D.
Drew400:
Hi all,
Success.... of sorts!
After all of your various tips and help messages, I was getting nowhere fast. Nothing seemed to work to produce anything other than weird noises and no cranking.
So I reverted to attaching a car battery direct to the bike's -ve and +ve battery leads and hey presto, wonderful high speed spinning of the whole engine from Chris's wonderful replacement starter motor. I ran it for a good while like this and saw the oil pressure light go out... a very good sign, eh?
My discoveries include: 1) my bike's battery (despite being relatively new) is not holding enough charge, even though it runs horn, lights and winkers simultaneously with no problem and 2) my jump leads weren't making a good connection either (can you believe that?).
However, my joy was severely tempered by a large pool of oil appearing under the bike. It seems my oil pressure pushed out an engine plug (see my latest thread seeking more of your specialist help, albeit this time, not electrical).
Fun fun fun,
D.
Bitsa (Ralph Wright - RIP):
I do not believe that should happen with the alt cover in place OFF YES
Cheers
Bitsa
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