Has my starter relay gone bad??

[3fan4life]

It's kinda strange that there are two other posts about starter relays going on right now.

I think that mine may have kicked the bucket yesterday.

While riding on the BRP my VALK refused to restart.

It acted like the battery was dead but it wasn't.

She drift started only after I popped the clutch in first gear @ 25-30mph (lots of wheel hop).

I didn't turn her off anymore and she got me home (thank God),

But, when I got home she wouldn't restart.

All lights, radio etc work strong.

When I push the start button I get a metallic "click" and then everything goes dead,

turning the key off and then back on brings the lights and radio back until I press the start button.

The "click" is definately comming from the starter relay.

I figure that someone here will know for sure if the problem is the relay or if there is another culprit lurking.

Thanks in advance.   

[R J]

I'm not posting my response 3 times, go to the others and read.  There are pictures and part #'s to order.    I the kit is for a older Gold Wing so ya have to move the big red wire before ya install it.    AND, ya get the larger rubber boot that they started using in 2000.


PS:   When ya bump start anything put them in 2nd or 3rd....   I prefer 3rd.

[3fan4life]

I'm not posting my response 3 times, go to the others and read.  There are pictures and part #'s to order.    I the kit is for a older Gold Wing so ya have to move the big red wire before ya install it.    AND, ya get the larger rubber boot that they started using in 2000.


PS:   When ya bump start anything put them in 2nd or 3rd....   I prefer 3rd.

Thanks, the bike has 64k on it so I'm happy just replacing the original relay as long as that's what's broke.

I tried 3rd and 2nd gear first she wouldn't start, it was only after I got mad and slammed her into first that she coughed to life.

I figure that the wheel hop worked the same as hitting the relay with a hammer.

[Ricky-D]

I don't think the radio and lights working are a good indicator of the battery condition.

If I were to guess at the cause of your problem, I would say you have a bad (poorly performing=worn out) battery.

***

[Black Dog]

When I cooked my starter relay, my bike ('97 Standard) was DEAD...  No indicator lights, no any lights, no nothing...  When I was checking out the relay, no key in the bike, I grabbed (moved) the relay, and the starter kicked in...  It was a 'blob' of melted plastic.  Bypassed the relay, to start and get home.  Ordered a new relay, put all new connectors on, and smothered it in Dielectric grease.  Been good for about 30K now.

Black Dog

[3fan4life]

FYI:

I priced the Starter relay with HDL @ $70.01 plus shipping.

A check of E-bay found no relays for a valk.

A check of "honda relays" found that one for a VFR 800 is the same relay.

Verified part # with HDL's parts fische. (35850-MT4-000)

There are several relays available on ebay for a VFR 800.

I picked one up for about $18.00

Thought that I'd pass this along for anyone else that might need one.

[Valkpilot]

I don't think the radio and lights working are a good indicator of the battery condition.

If I were to guess at the cause of your problem, I would say you have a bad (poorly performing=worn out) battery.

***

I agree.  I had the same symptoms, and it was the battery.

[3fan4life]

UPDATE:

It did turn out to be the battery.

I've never had a battery fail for no apparent reason in the middle of a ride before.

I did replace the starter relay as well, the old one had a "rattle" in it.

I do plan to hang onto it as a spare though.