starter won't engage.

[Omega Man]

Just makes a chunk Zzzzzz sound. What is the most likely problem? It's not a lack of juice, and It's started a few times lately with a fail to engage but the next try worked/started everytime...except this am.

 

[dan filipi]

Might be the starter solenoid contacts are corroded not allowing enough current to pass.
This can happen once or twice then not happen again for a long time or happen the next time you hit the button.

There's a couple options if that's what it is.

I've read guys cleaning the contacts but I took one apart and there are 2 VERY tiny and brittle wires which make it difficult if not impossible to take the thing apart to get at the contacts without cutting those wires, unsoldering them or something like this.

Can replace it with a common Ford style start relay.
This is what I did but requires other mods for mounting and connections.

Replace it with a new Honda relay. They are available.

It could also be your starter needs a good cleaning.
If the copper contacts where the brushes ride are dirty they might not make a good connection.
I'd rebuild while your at it, alternator/starter shops can do this. Usually cost about $80 or better IMHO is replace it with a new one from Stockers.com and be done with it.
The one I got from them is heavy duty and spins the engine very good hot or cold.
I think they run about $130 and are made by them.

For whatever reason the starter wasn't getting enough current.
Check your positive cables and negative from the battery to ground.
The ground connection behind the frame piece can corrode and cause problems.

 

[bk2valve]

I am not sure this is the same problem but I had mine fail to start a few times in the cold. I had 20w50 oil in it since I live in a very hot climate....changed it out to 10w40 and it started fine....I think that the starter clutch was gummed up with the too thick, cold oil....
At least that is my theory since it seemed to eliminate the problem....
Brian

 

[slabghost]

did you recently change oil? If so you may have gotten the wrong stuff. Many oils these days have additives that don't play nice with wet clutches or start clutches.

 

[Omega Man]

Sounds like any or all are possible, I've never touched/cleaned the starter, oil change a couple weeks ago, and cold this am. I'll update after work...I bet it starts. Thanks guys.

 

[AApple]

If it sounds like the starter is spinning("zzzzzz"), but not turning the engine, I'd go with the oil theory, too...

 

[dan filipi]

If it sounds like the starter is spinning("zzzzzz"), but not turning the engine, I'd go with the oil theory, too...

Oh I don't know, a zzzzzzzzz sounds more like a sizzle to me than a zzzing which would be like a spinning sound .




opcorn:

 

[AApple]

:cheeky:
:smilie_happy:

 

[Omega Man]

Just like i thought, the b**** started before I could press the start button all the way in... Note to self, "10/40 in the winter." :roll:

~O~

 

[toytender01]

If it is just cold oil you could just light a fire under the bike and try it again when it warms up :smilie_happy: :swoon: :music2: :music2:

 

[Omega Man]

If it is just cold oil you could just light a fire under the bike and try it again when it warms up :smilie_happy: :swoon: :music2: :music2:

Can you show me how that works on your bike first?? :whistling:

~O~

 

[Tory]

I used to have an old tractor that I use to light a bag of charcoal in a drain pan and slide it under the motor (once the flame was down) so it would start so I could plow the drive in the winter,but I would hate to do that with my bike.

 

[mcgovern61]

If it is just cold oil you could just light a fire under the bike and try it again when it warms up :smilie_happy: :swoon: :music2: :music2:

Can you show me how that works on your bike first?? :whistling:

~O~

:smilie_happy: :smilie_happy: Me too! :smilie_happy:

 

[bk2valve]

My first full winter in Alaska in 1978, I lived in a cabin without power near Delta Junction, AK in the interior where it was incredibly cold....we would see 70 below several times in the winter 50 below was common....I used a propane weed burner and two lengths of 6"stove pipe with an elbow.....I had to keep the propane inside at night but in the morning I would go out and fire up the torch for 20 minutes or so under the oilpan of the truck....then I would take the battery out with me and install it in the truck and start up the rig to go to work.....that is when I got in the habit of using marine battery terminals on all my vehicles...so I could pull the battery at night....and take it in by the fire....
Damn, I was so much younger then...I hate the cold and snow now.....
Brian

 

[AApple]

We used to use a torch with a huge rosebud to heat the blocks/oil on our old tractors, too, when the temps got down really cold. Luckily, it dint get that cold in west Texas that often....

 

[toytender01]

I have thought about roasting the bike several times, usually in the middle of a winter enduro in the middle of some trail with a flat tire (colder than a well diggers a_ _ in the klondike). when you are standing out there in the woods and it is so cold the SOo_ is freesing on your mustash you consider things like that. I may have done it too IF I WOULD HAVE HAD A MATCH. Luckly though a sweeper rider came by (after 2 hours) and cace me a ride back to the gas check. Went out the ment day with a new tube and a can of fix a flat and repaired it and rode it back. I do have to say that on the retrival trip I was well fortified. Those were the days.

 

[westgl]

I would like to see a Wing with a Honda car starter Solenoid, installed.

With a/some part number's and some pictures.

Maybe a wiring schematic.