Problem with starter?

[Yachtie]

Hey guys, think I have a new problem. Got the bike running well last week and it sat all week. Now I don't get anything when trying to start. Ignition is working, batteries good, all lights are working. But just nothing when trying to start. No clicks, sounds etc. I started looking through the bike and the starter relay and the smaller relay next to it look in terrible condition.

Des this sound like a starter issue? Assuming everything is original I'd like to replace what I can just because, but perhaps I can test these things?

I do not have a local source for parts to my knowledge. So would need to order online. Anyone know part numbers and a good source?

Thanks

Bikes a 76 r90/6

[Cordless]

Start really simple. Is the kill switch engaged? Can you jiggle the key and get juice where you want it? Have you run the tranny through the gears a time or two than reengaged neutral?

Then it's on to checking the grounds around the starter and the clutch cutout if you have one.

Here's hoping it's something really simple and easy.

[Yachtie]

Originally Posted by Cordless

Start really simple. Is the kill switch engaged? Can you jiggle the key and get juice where you want it? Have you run the tranny through the gears a time or two than reengaged neutral?

Then it's on to checking the grounds around the starter and the clutch cutout if you have one.

Here's hoping it's something really simple and easy.

Forgive me for sounding dumb, this entire bike and motorcycles in general are new to me.

Kill switch being the switch on right hand control? Yes, that is in the run position and get nothing.

Jiggle the key and get what I want, lights etc.

Ran tranny through gears. Can find neutral.


My reason thinking its starter is in order to get my new ignition working right they supplied me with a new Hall effects sensor, when swapping this I accidentally pulled a wire on then starter relay. I put it back. But this problem only started when I switched this part, I comfirmed the ignition is ok, so perhaps I shorted the relay? It looks original and the smaller one right behind it looks awful (what is that one)

[Cordless]

I certainly didn't intend to insult your intelligence in any way. I just know what a bonehead I am sometimes like when I replaced a brake light acuator before determining my brake light bulb was burned out, asw.

Sounds as if you need a new starter relay. Before you order one, make sure all the wires are intact and all connections are clean. It's probably the relay but make sure all else is healthy before you order one.

(Not making sure before ordering, though, is the reason so many of us have such a nice little parts stash of new and not yet broken used parts. Max and Hucky like us as customers.)

[Yachtie]

Originally Posted by Cordless

I certainly didn't intend to insult your intelligence in any way. I just know what a bonehead I am sometimes like when I replaced a brake light acuator before determining my brake light bulb was burned out, asw.

Sounds as if you need a new starter relay. Before you order one, make sure all the wires are intact and all connections are clean. It's probably the relay but make sure all else is healthy before you order one.

(Not making sure before ordering, though, is the reason so many of us have such a nice little parts stash of new and not yet broken used parts. Max and Hucky like us as customers.)

No insults here just don't know what's what yet. I'll play with the connection ends. They look shabby. What's the smaller relay next to the starter relay? If I need to order one where should I look

[disston]

I'm not sure but it might be the horn relay. Whatever it is it is not what is causing the bike to not start.

The start relay is the #1 suspect but it's not always bad. It just needs the wire contacts cleaned. Pull each wire off and reinstall to make good contact. Wiggle the wires.

A 1976 Airhead does not have a Hall sensor? I don't recall the details. Was this an after market ignition?

Relays are usually not damaged by "shorting" the wires or something. If you connect a wire wrong you can even get a spark but it won't hurt the relay.

You need a test light to see if the relay is working properly and you will need a wiring diagram to figure out what wire to check. Wiring diagrams are in any of the manuals.

A test light has an alligator clip on one end and a sharp pointy end at the other. The clip is attached to a ground point and when the sharp pointy end hits a hot wire the bulb in the handle comes on.

[Bill Harris]

Is that a /5 starter relay? Could we be dealing with a Frankenbeemer?

--Bill

[disston]

It looks like the relay on my /6 but it's been some years since I had a look at it. I have the same bike as Yachtie almost. Mine is a '75 his is a '76. These bikes supposedly have the same wiring.

[chasbmw]

Originally Posted by Yachtie

Forgive me for sounding dumb, this entire bike and motorcycles in general are new to me.

Kill switch being the switch on right hand control? Yes, that is in the run position and get nothing.

Jiggle the key and get what I want, lights etc.

Ran tranny through gears. Can find neutral.


My reason thinking its starter is in order to get my new ignition working right they supplied me with a new Hall effects sensor, when swapping this I accidentally pulled a wire on then starter relay. I put it back. But this problem only started when I switched this part, I comfirmed the ignition is ok, so perhaps I shorted the relay? It looks original and the smaller one right behind it looks awful (what is that one)

That is a /6 starter relay. It is always worthwhile to clean up the connections to this relay!

[Yachtie]

Is there a way to test that my starter button on the hand control works?

I'm going to just order a new relay just cause, but want to keep covering all my bases.

[photomd]

So you got the ignition working? If so...cool.

Get a test light and test your relay. One lead should be ground, one should get 12v when you hit the starter button and one should have 12v all the time. The one with 12 v all the time might get 12 v with the key or ignition switch on the right hand controls. Hook the alligator clip on the test light to your neg battery and touch it to the positive to test the light. If it's good, turn your ignition on and test the wires. If I was doing this, I'd clean the connections and the push the wires on the relay so I could touch the metal tab sticking out of the relay with the test light point. I'd bet your green wire is the ground, the red is from the battery and the blue is from your starter button, but some starter buttons complete the ground to the relay. You'll have to play with it to see. Maybe some one here can give you the exact details.

If you're getting current to the relay from the starter button and no "click" or power to the wire going to the starter, the relay is toast. Hope this helps.

[Yachtie]

Well I was able to jump the starter from the relay with a how to. So I know the starter itself works.

So it's either the relay or the hand control start switch

[disston]

Test Light! You will then be able to see the electricity.

[photomd]

Originally Posted by disston

Test Light! You will then be able to see the electricity.

+1

Your bike is telling ya what's wrong, the test light will only help you hear what it's saying.

[Yachtie]

Originally Posted by photomd

+1

Your bike is telling ya what's wrong, the test light will only help you hear what it's saying.

Haha. Thanks. I will pick one up tomorrow. Keep you all posted.