Starter Problems

[BjornThorkelson]

I own A 1981 XS1100H and just recently it has started giving me problems starting. I was wondering if someone here could help. Sometimes when I hit the start button it does nothing at all other times it makes a sound like a stun gun coming from the starter solenoid(yamaha calls it the starter switch) area what is the most likely problem I have?

[John]

Sounds like it could be a weak battery, causing the contacts in the solenoid to chatter. Try using jumper cables connected to your car, just leave the car engine off.

[BjornThorkelson]

tried charging the battery still did not work

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Bjorn,

Did you check your battery after charging it to verify it had 12 volts? Also, a bad battery can hold a surface charge, but won't have the amps to push the motor and such, can't handle a load, hence why they recommended using a jumper from a car battery to see IF it will work properly, if so, then you may have a bad battery!?

Also, have you cleaned the terminals for the battery, the wires to the starter solenoid, etc.? Also, the starter button at the handlebar is just the final ground point for the starter solenoid causing the magnet to throw the switch. IF the handlebar contacts have gotten corroded, it might also not allow enough power to keep the solenoid engaged, so you may need to take the bar switch apart and clean contacts!?

After cleaning the handlebar and solenoid contacts, verified a good strong battery, and even with a jump, IF the solenoid still acts up, then......

You can also then use a jumper cable JAW to jump the solenoid large terminals sending the power to the starter bypassing the solenoid, and again, if it starts, then you've ruled out the starter.

IF the starter responds, then you might have a bad solenoid!?
T.C.

[morticiaann]

Sorry, I accidently got cut off while I was posting this.

Mine is a 1981 SH and mine had a perfectly good battery and the solenoid and starter button were good, also. I replaced the starter button wires with 10 guage but the starter clutch still slipped and the ignition went; click, click, click.

The shiny cap on the left side of the bike houses the starting motor's brushes. Inside it, you probably will see where the brush assembly can short causing a weak response to the start button. I put liquid tape inside mine after cleaning the cap with solvent. [Be extremely careful that the starter motor revolves easily when you put it back together - you should be able to turn it easily with your fingers by grasping the starter motor gear.]
I have a 60 amp starter button from Pep Boys mounted to my plastic side cover because my starter button shorted while doing this repair. My bike now starts with the slightest touch even at freezing temperature and remains running using no throttle.

[oldyam80sg]

Is the starter the same as my 80 SG? I removed the cover on top and it looked like the starter was different.I'm getting a used one and solenoid.Also,am trying a different battery because i think i have a dead cell.I cleaned the connections that plug into the solenoid and have not had a problem yet.

[trbig]

Could it just be a bad ground to the frame? Check the grounding strap connecting one of the top screws on your middle drive to the frame.

Tod

[morticiaann]

This is a picture of yours so I think they are the same



By the way, I don't mean the plastic cap over the starter motor, I mean the silver cap just this side of Oring #13 on the microfiche. You have 2 bolts going through it when you remove the starter motor and 1 bolt on the generator side.