solenoid clicks but starter does not enguage

[scottb2003]

i got my starter working thanks for the replys but now i have another trouble i have to jump the starter with a car battery when i push the ignition switch the solenoid just clicks and the starter dosen't inguage i measured the voltage to the starter when i push the ignition switch it was 9.4 volts i'm thinking thats not enough helpppppppp
scott

 

[RBG]

Yep, you need at least 10..so clean all connections including the ground wire behind the engine mount, check your battery at rest 12.8 at least, cranking 10+ min.

 

[AApple]

9 volts ain't gonna get the job done. Does the battery voltage also go down that low when trying to crank it? If it does, I'd say you have a battery problem. If the battery voltage is staying up around 10>, the solenoid may be at fault, or a connection from the solenoid to the starter is failing, such as a loose connection, or a corroded cable(internally).
You say you are jumping from a car battery to the starter. Are you going to the terminal on the starter itself, or jumping battery to battery?

 

[mcgovern61]

If you were jumping from a car battery, I hope the battery was not in the car and the car running. Car alternators put out too many amps and can fry electrical components in these old bikes. It does sound like a bad solenoid connection or the solenoid itself is bad.

 

[dan filipi]

Car alternators put out too many amps and can fry electrical components in these old bikes.

I've heard the same thing but always wondered why that would be.
My understanding of a auto charging system is the alternator will only put out in amps what the system needs to maintain a set voltage say 14.8 volts, I.E battery charging accepting 5 amps at 14.8 volts so that's what it delivers.
If this is correct then as long as the voltage doesn't exceed that then how does damage occur?

 

[mcgovern61]

Car alternators put out too many amps and can fry electrical components in these old bikes.

I've heard the same thing but always wondered why that would be.
My understanding of a auto charging system is the alternator will only put out in amps what the system needs to maintain a set voltage say 14.8 volts, I.E battery charging accepting 5 amps at 14.8 volts so that's what it delivers.
If this is correct then as long as the voltage doesn't exceed that then how does damage occur?

Its not the volts, its the amps! :shock:

The CCA of a car battery being topped off with a running alternator allows the amps out to be much higher. Same as when you jump start a dead-dead battery car to car. Just hooking up the battery alone may not be enough to start a dead car, but running the engine with the alternator on keeps the cranking amps high. The wiring and components of our bikes do not tolerate those cranking amps because our wiring is smaller creating resistance at things like the solenoid.

 

[scottb2003]

i may have found the problem i charged the battery and it didn't take a full charge i will have it checked and replace if necessary
i do have a nother problem i have lost all power checked connections and cleaned checked fuses still hunting
for the answer anybody know any tricks
for those who were asking i jumped it straight from a car battery without the car running
thanks scott

 

[dan filipi]

i do have a nother problem i have lost all power checked connections and cleaned checked fuses still hunting
for the answer anybody know any tricks

If you still have the original dogbone main fuse those can look good but have separations which stops current flow.
A common fix is to install a blade fuse in place of it, although the original fuses ARE still available.

 

[Joep]

i may have found the problem i charged the battery and it didn't take a full charge i will have it checked and replace if necessary
i do have a nother problem i have lost all power checked connections and cleaned checked fuses still hunting
for the answer anybody know any tricks
for those who were asking i jumped it straight from a car battery without the car running
thanks scott

FWIW... on my cb360T my battery was low, jumped it from a running car and fried the soleniod and smoked the inside of the battery... next time I needed to jumpstart a bike I just used the battery and car not running.. and that is how I do it today.. YMMV and others have told me they have the car running... but not this kid..

 

[Dave]

A common fix is to install a blade fuse in place of it, although the original fuses ARE still available.

OK, next project, Replace fencing wire with fuse :whistling: