no power

[dmwhite]

Hi Everyone,
I got my bike (1981 Goldwing 1100) running with a new battery and starter. The oil and gas in good and I have taken it up and down the road. I stoped the bike, tried to start it but no power. The parts that start the bike are new. I have no idea why the power in the battery has a low charge. I put it on the charger and I am waiting to try and start it. If it is still low it is probaby a bad battery but if it is charged what could it be?
Thanks for your time.
dmwhite

 

[mcgovern61]

A few things to check.....

The first thing to check is if your ignition switch is loose. Wiggle the key a little while holding the start button and see it it starts.

What Chas wrote about the solenoid is also great place to start, check the fuse first.

The starter solenoids tend to go bad after 30 years...believe it or not.....try smacking it with a hammer (lightly) and see if it starts. If the hammer trick works, replace the solenoid.

Is the battery charging when the bike is running? Easy to check......before starting, put a volt meter on the battery and check the voltage. Keeping the meter on, start the bike and run at 2000 RPM, does the voltage increase to at least 13.2 volts? If voltage does not increase immediately, two things need to be checked......the regulator and the stator.

First, check the wiring from the stator...left side under the battery cover...three yellow wires connected in a quick connect fitting. The fitting is plastic and the connector often overheats. Is the connector discolored, melted, or clear? Either way, it is highly recommended to cut out that connector and solder the three wires together. (Just use the search button for more information)

Second, the regulator. Located under the faux tank on the left side. Is there a tar like substance melting down the back of the regulator? If so...it is shot! If not, the connector may be loose. Pull the connector, clean the ends, put back together (tightly) and try again.

Last but not least...is the battery good? Have it tested!

This should keep you going for a few minutes.

 

[slabghost]

by any chance did you turn it off with the kill switch?

 

[dmwhite]

Hi mcgovern61,
Thank you this is really great advice. I put a new starter in the bike and a new battery but I have no idea if it is being charged. I guess it could be a bad battery. I will have it checked this weekend. I will get a volt meter and see if it is being charged, great idea. If not, I will put the bike on a center lift and gig in to find the wires for the stator. I am looking for "three yellow wires on the left side under the battery cover", are the wires suppose to be together? I will let you know what it looks like. I will check the regulator any way for good measure, "under the faux tank on the left side". I not to sure what it looks like but I look it up.

The blower fans, lights and radio come on but not enough power to start the bike. Is the starter selonoid and main fuse part of the new starter or located in a differnt place?

This is a great start.

Thank you

dmwhite

 

[dmwhite]

Hi mcgovern61,
I tried to start the bike tonight. The starter ran like new but the bike would not start (it would not turn over). It was like the starter was not connected to anything. The battery was charged and everything came on but the motor. The kill switch is the circular knob marked gas reserve, right? It needs to be in the on position, right?

What do you think?
Thanks
dmwhite

 

[slabghost]

Kill switch is on the handlebars on top of the right throttle housing. Marked off run off. It needs to be in the run position. Transmission must be in neutral or the clutch pulled in to engage the starter.solenoid is seperate from the starter like on Fords. Mounted to the rear of the battery box under the left side cover.

 

[dan filipi]

"Starter spinning but acting like not connected to anything" sounds to me like the internal starter clutch is not engaging.
Just to be sure......you did install the star gear on the starter and chain when putting the starter in?

If so, and it is the clutch not catching try tapping the start button just for a quick fraction of a second a few times. When I had this happen that would usually make the clutch engage.

When I run 20/50 oil mine does this alot.

 

[slabghost]

Hi mcgovern61,
I tried to start the bike tonight. The starter ran like new but the bike would not start (it would not turn over). It was like the starter was not connected to anything. The battery was charged and everything came on but the motor. The kill switch is the circular knob marked gas reserve, right? It needs to be in the on position, right?

What do you think?
Thanks
dmwhite

Please define what you mean here. Pistons are not moving? Pistons swapping holes but no fire?

 

[dmwhite]

Hi mcgovern61,
I push the button, the starter sounds like it is spinning freely, without any resistance. Nothing in the engine is moving at all. There is gas and oil and the battery is fine. This is something new. It was working fine less then 12 hours prior.

I hope this information helps
Thanks
dmwhite

 

[mcgovern61]

Hi mcgovern61,
I push the button, the starter sounds like it is spinning freely, without any resistance. Nothing in the engine is moving at all. There is gas and oil and the battery is fine. This is something new. It was working fine less then 12 hours prior.

I hope this information helps
Thanks
dmwhite

The starter clutch is not catching. Many times this is because the oil is too thick or the starter clutch is gummy. (Assuming the starter is making contact with the gear and the chain is ok) What Dan wrote makes sense. Just tap the start button on and off a couple of times and see if it catches. Did you install the starter? Are you sure it was in correctly?

 

[slabghost]

Did you change oil recently? Many car oils will not play nice with wet clutches we have in these bikes. If you did go check the bottles. If they say enhanced lubricity or something like it. Drain and put in another oil without.

 

[dmwhite]

mcgovern61 and slabhost
Hi guys,
Yes, I did install the starter. It took 3 days but I got it on. It worked fine and I took it out for a run up and down the street. :Egyptian: It worked fine but after about 20 minutes the battery was low and would not turn the starter. I pulled it into the garage and pluged the charger in, waited for a day and tried to start the bike. That is when the starter spun freely.
I would have changed the oil but I can get the faux tank off. Frankily I am not sure where the cap is. That is why it is important to get this bike out of the garage so I can take it to someone that can help with where everything is.

Update: Today I tried to start the bike, it turned over like nothing happened. :head bang: Everything worked fine. :Awe: Maybe its time for an exorcist?

I don't know why it is working. I did nothing to it. Wow!

I think there is still a problem with the charging system for the bike. Looking back the old starter struggled just like this new one did before it crashed out. I am thinking the battery was low then and not charging either. If everything remains the same I need to check out the charging system next.

You brought up three things I should check 1) the starter solenoids, 2) the stator wires, and 3) the regulator. The bike is running know, which one should I do first?

I was thinking I should change the oil soon, before it causes a problem later down the road. What kind of oil should I use for a late model bike?

Thanks for the great advise! I am getting this down :thanks:

dmwhite

 

[slabghost]

Safest oils are those specifically labeled for use in motorcycles. Fill cap for the oil is down on the motor. Check the voltage of the battery behind the left side cover. At idle it should be a little over 12 volts. At 3500 rpm you should get a bit over 14 volts. If you dont then you'll need to test the stator.