no start

[sidecarKev]

I finally found a simple diagram of how the starting system works in my shop manual. It showed that one of the wires should be hot and all the starter button does is ground out the relay coil. After I saw this I realized I had the wrong kind of relay, I needed one that grounded with a post and not the mounting bracket. Found one at the auto parts store for under $10. Another thing that was throwing me for a loop was that I did not have power at the red/white starting wire. I started tracing it and found that a pin in the harness where the right handlebar switch plugs in was giving me a problem. Things are getting better. I still haven't got the bike to run. It seems that the starter is sucking up so much juice that the ignition becomes weak. The only way I can get it to fire is to have one battery for the starter and another for everything else. It will run for a few seconds but not much beyond that.

All in due time.

Kevin

[Redbaron]

Solenoid

I Have a 78 XS, with a vetter fairing, I overcame this by installing a starter switch in the fairing. You can use a push button for starter only or use a second key as i do. i use a universal ign switch, you can pick em up at any parts house for about seven bucks. It is true the starter button provided a ground for the completion of the circuit, there are aftermarket solenoids available but the ford or universal is the most reliable and long lasting. I mounted mine under the right side cover by the right most mounting hole and used the existing bolt. I have replaced my fuse box not sure about your clearance, thats why i used the universal solenoid over the ford, about half the size. Go to the local NAPA or such and look in their lawn and garden tractor area, usually they'll have small filters and electrical connectors that work well on bikes in this area. have had very good success, the universal solenoid is marked as to wiring hook up. you'll need to run a wire from the battery to the ign switch and from the switch to the solenoid for activation. abandon the wires on the bike, blue white and red i think. the solenoid also has an accessory pin that can be used for accessories or further wiring "enhancements". HTH

[Redbaron]

Quick side note

I read earlier that you had no oil in the middle drive? As you are trying to start the bike I and most others here would recommend you change your oil & Filter, fill your middle and final drives, and if the bike has been setting look into some paper element gravity flow, fuel filters. Hang in there these bikes are great!

[sidecarKev]

I had changed the engine oil and filter at that time. Now all fluids are changed and filters have been added to the fuel lines. I have replaced the starter relay with one meant for a lawn tractor and it finally works like a charm. Cost $10.01 with tax. It still seems to turn over slow. I plan on hooking up the gas tank and charging the battery and giving it another try this weekend.

Kevin

[sidecarKev]

For all of you who may be interested.

Last night I swapped out starters with one from Mike, another list member. I really thought that it was going to clear up the problem, no luck. So I started going through every connection again except this time I hit the starter button after unplugging a connection. Well after about 10-12 connectors I found it. The bike would turn over good if I disconnected the alternator. I never would have thought that the alternator would cause me such a problem. By the looks of it the altenator must have been shorting out. I took it off, looked at it, cursed at it a few times and put it back on. Problem solved. Finally.

Kevin

[skids]

Hmmm. I would be willing to bet that the field coil had a short to ground. It can't be that sort of a problem with the stator because there are three separate windings and the rectifier is supposed to act as a one-way current valve for each set. It may not PRODUCE enough current if one of the three windings was shorted, but it would not affect the starting of the bike. I had a field coil terminal (positive side?) ground-out to the casing once. If your field coil terminal was shorting, maybe your messing around in there moved the terminal just enough to prevent it from happening? I don't know...just grasping at straws in case the thing acts up again.

Originally posted by sidecarKev
For all of you who may be interested.

Last night I swapped out starters with one from Mike, another list member. I really thought that it was going to clear up the problem, no luck. So I started going through every connection again except this time I hit the starter button after unplugging a connection. Well after about 10-12 connectors I found it. The bike would turn over good if I disconnected the alternator. I never would have thought that the alternator would cause me such a problem. By the looks of it the altenator must have been shorting out. I took it off, looked at it, cursed at it a few times and put it back on. Problem solved. Finally.

Kevin

[jboughto70]

Hey Kev,
I think it sounds like a faulty starter or something binding internally in the engine. I would try taking off the timing cover and turning the engine over manually (a 19mm wrench I believe). It should turn over fairly easily, even with the spark plugs in. If it is binding, it will overload your starter and cause the problems you've described. If it is turning over freely, then it is either a bad connection or a bad starter. Also, regarding your use of a car battery and your charging system not keeping up ... this may burn out your charging system ... which is a much more important consideration than having to charge the battery with a battery charger.

[sidecarKev]

I think it sounds like a faulty starter or something binding internally in the engine. I would try taking off the timing cover and turning the engine over manually

Nope, the alt was shorted out. Starter and engine are just fine. Explained in an earlier post.

Also, regarding your use of a car battery and your charging system not keeping up ... this may burn out your charging system ... which is a much more important consideration than having to charge the battery with a battery charger.

It not a problem using a car battery. Been doing it on another bike for over a year. Also know of many others with sidecars who have been doing it for who knows how long. Big batteries make good ballast.

Kevin

[skids]

You said you checked all of the grounding straps, right? There is a big braided one from the engine to the frame near the battery. You also said that you tried a car battery, but you said that the volts showed 6v when cranking. I think a healthy battery should show at least 9 volts when cranking, as measured from the hot wire of the starter (at the right side cover area) to ground. when you used the car battery, did you disconnect your cycle battery and jumper the battery leads to the car battery? I believe a bad battery in parallel in your bike can be a big draw. I went through an episode like you are experiencing and the only thing that worked was to remove the bike battery from the circuit when jumping to a good battery. If you already tried this, I appologize.

[sidecarKev]

The bike would turn over good if I disconnected the alternator. I never would have thought that the alternator would cause me such a problem. By the looks of it the altenator must have been shorting out. I took it off, looked at it, cursed at it a few times and put it back on. Problem solved.

I found the problem a couple days ago. Shorted out alt. Bike starts just fine now.


Kevin