SELONOID PROBLEM

OLDSCHOOLBILLY · #1 07-03-2008, 05:25 AM

im now on my third selonoid. they keep sticking in the on position, the bike is running and the starter is still engaged. when disasembled the discs on the selonoid had bad burt spots where the posts look like they welded themselves to the disc.im not sure exactly whats causeing this any help would be great, thanks.

mojo2go · #2 07-03-2008, 06:28 AM

I'm looking at a wiring diagram for 70 thru 72 and it shows a relay that is connected to the voltage regulator, start button, and then goes to the solenoid. That relay could be sticking closed when you hit the start button and then keeping power going to the solenoid, or the start button could be faulty. You can usually get the relays apart and file down the points in them. They look like ignition points and they get dirty and burned over time. You didn't mention if your starting system was stock, so I'm just giving you info from the manual.

GA Ironhead · #3 07-03-2008, 06:41 AM

It sounds like the primary circuit of the solenoid is always activated. Maybe a bad starter switch that doesn't remove power from the circuit?

mojo2go · #4 07-03-2008, 06:44 AM

If it has a relay that is what removes power from the starting circuit. Or if the start button stays engaged...but if it was start button it would try to start as soon as they key was switched on.

OLDSCHOOLBILLY · #5 07-03-2008, 07:19 AM

the bike is a 72 and no the start system is not stock. im using the starter switch thap jp and others sell that is for custom use and the contacts (alegedly) are large enough you dont need a relay.power runs as follows- pos. of batt. to selonoidseonoid to starterthe momentary to trip selonoid comes from the starter switch, it works like a car off-on- spring loaded start that goes back to start pos. im also haveing some chargeing issues and the battery has been pretty low at times and seems like with the battery low its worse. its stuck at times only when the battery is low . i think this may be whats burning the contacts in the selonoid and then causeing the issue. have you seen this to be true?

supr2nr · #6 07-03-2008, 08:49 AM

Billy.&nbsp\\; I am having the same damn problem as well.&nbsp\\; Except that mine is the stock starter setup.&nbsp\\; Its getting really freaking annoying.&nbsp\\; The only difference is that my bike won't start. &nbsp\\;[:@]

I push my starter button for 5 or 6 seconds and then let go and you hear the starter motor continuously spinning.&nbsp\\; I pulled mine but I haven't looked to see if the solenoid has burnt spots on it.&nbsp\\; I sort of attributed mine to the fact that the previous owner didn't have a return spring in the solenoid so it wasn't pushing the plunger back out.&nbsp\\; Does yours have a return spring between the solenoid and the plunger?&nbsp\\;

Bossman1 · #7 07-03-2008, 08:59 AM

The start circuit is not disengaging it sounds
like switch not functioning properly. Try going around it!!

OLDSCHOOLBILLY · #8 07-03-2008, 09:25 AM

mine does have a return spring.and also i have wired around the switch with no luck.

mojo2go · #9 07-03-2008, 05:33 PM

Do you have an extra starter that you can bolt on to see if the whole starter is the culprit?

bucaman · #10 07-07-2008, 05:48 PM

Did you ever get this squared away. My 74 XLH started doing it this weekend. Not all the time. When&nbsp\\;it does not start the starter just runs with or without power. It goes on for less than a minute but of course it seems like an hour. Then she starts fine. It did it once when it did start. Shut it down, re-started and it was fine. I also have a new solenoid with all things where they should be.
How did you make out?