Won't turn over

[Westernbiker]

Last night I stopped at a store, everything has been working fine on the bike. Came out turned the key hit the starter button, nothing. Check kill switch, not in gear even checked ignition fuse. Everything seems fine. Turn key headlight comes on netural light ect... hit starter button headlight goes out like it is suppose to but nothing. Does not even try to start. Battery is less than a year old. I will start with battery tonight to be sure it is good. I'm thinking the starter switch next? Could it be the kickstand switch gone bad? And how would I bypass or check that to be sure? Any advice on what to do first and how to check it.
Thanks in advance,
Chuck

[Black Dog]

Sounds like your 'Starter Button' needs some TLC...

Take a look at Chet's write up.

http://www.rattlebars.com/mtz/starter.html

Black Dog

[wild6]

I don't think the starter button would just quit without becoming intermittent over a period of time leading up to this.

I would check/jiggle the kill switch and kick-stand switch.

[Westernbiker]

Sounds like your 'Starter Button' needs some TLC...

Take a look at Chet's write up.

http://www.rattlebars.com/mtz/starter.html

Black Dog

Had this happen on my '98' and I did get some intermitent failure like 'wild6' says but I will look at that thank you!

[Black Dog]

I did get some intermitent failure like 'wild6' says

This could be the 'first' of the intermitent failures 

Black Dog

[Westernbiker]

I don't think the starter button would just quit without becoming intermittent over a period of time leading up to this.

I would check/jiggle the kill switch and kick-stand switch.

Jiggled kickstand switch last night. How do I check to see if that is bad? Or can I bypass to see if that is the problem?

[Westernbiker]

I did get some intermitent failure like 'wild6' says

This could be the 'first' of the intermitent failures 

Black Dog

Gotcha! I will check it. 

[jmann]

My '98 Tourer did that but it was the starter relay assembly that had melted and was not making good contact. Behind the right side cover. Lights and everything still functioned but dead starter switch.

[Chrisj CMA]

I don't think the starter button would just quit without becoming intermittent over a period of time leading up to this.

I would check/jiggle the kill switch and kick-stand switch.

Yes it can, mine did.......but if it really is the starter button and this is the first trouble with it, you should be able to leave the key on and repeatedly hit the starter button (quick stabs over and over) and it should catch or try to start after a little while of doing this.  If the relay behind the right side cover is fried, you have a whole different problem

[Westernbiker]

My '98 Tourer did that but it was the starter relay assembly that had melted and was not making good contact. Behind the right side cover. Lights and everything still functioned but dead starter switch.

That's an easy check, I will look to see, thank you jmann!

[Westernbiker]

I don't think the starter button would just quit without becoming intermittent over a period of time leading up to this.

I would check/jiggle the kill switch and kick-stand switch.

Yes it can, mine did.......but if it really is the starter button and this is the first trouble with it, you should be able to leave the key on and repeatedly hit the starter button (quick stabs over and over) and it should catch or try to start after a little while of doing this.  If the relay behind the right side cover in fried, you have a whole different problem

Tried that last night Chris, never did catch or even attempt to start.

[jmann]

I was at deer camp down in Aravaca when mine wouldn't start. I borrowed a voltmeter from a fellow camper and while DC checking the relay and while I was probing, I heard the flasher relay start clicking. I must have tried the turn signals while in my frustration of being 100 miles south of Tucson with a dead bike. Anyway, I found that by wiggling the relay assembly I could get the bike to start. I pulled the relay free from its mount and the backside was melted. It wasn't getting 12volts to the start switch. Melted connection. Found out later it was a common problem and a pretty easy fix. I went with a car relay and a fuseable link for the feed. You can buy the assembly that pretty much replaces the connector and assembly just like the factory. I'm cheap so I went the inexpensive route but it accomplishes the same thing. That might not be what's wrong with your bike but the symtoms sound like what mine did and it's a real easy check. Good luck.

[Westernbiker]

I was at deer camp down in Aravaca when mine wouldn't start. I borrowed a voltmeter from a fellow camper and while DC checking the relay and while I was probing, I heard the flasher relay start clicking. I must have tried the turn signals while in my frustration of being 100 miles south of Tucson with a dead bike. Anyway, I found that by wiggling the relay assembly I could get the bike to start. I pulled the relay free from its mount and the backside was melted. It wasn't getting 12volts to the start switch. Melted connection. Found out later it was a common problem and a pretty easy fix. I went with a car relay and a fuseable link for the feed. You can buy the assembly that pretty much replaces the connector and assembly just like the factory. I'm cheap so I went the inexpensive route but it accomplishes the same thing. That might not be what's wrong with your bike but the symtoms sound like what mine did and it's a real easy check. Good luck.

Well if that's it I should be able to find it and take care of it.
Thanks again jmann! 

[garyheskett All 49 x 3 st.louis]

I just had a "no start" problem. I checked the common problems, the starter button, ok, the clutch switch, ok, the starter relay, ok, the sidestand switch, ok, and FINALLY found it to be the bank angle sensor relay.  The manual said it was a "starter relay", but I don't think it was that cause the wires going in didn't match that.  The wiring diagram showed it to be "bank angle relay".  I'm not sure what part it really is, but I replaced the relay with one from the auto parts store for $18, vs the Honda part for $46. Not an exact fit (the rubber boot wouldn't go back on the one from the auto part store), but I taped it up good and all is good now.  I took off the left side cover, removed the radiator overflow tank and found the relay in front of the battery. So....if all the usual reasons aren't your problem, check relay in front of the battery. It took several days to find my problem!!!

[RP#62]

Mine was doing something similar.  I'd push the start button and nothing would happen, then I'd push it a couple of more times and it would start.  I did the starter switch maintenance and figured I got it.  It worked fine for a couple of starts, then did it again.  This time I checked the connector at the top of the start relay, and although it was clean, I re-cleaned it and put it back on.  Worked good the next start, then did it again.  Next, I replaced the start relay, and that fixed it.
-RP

[John U.]

I've had the "starter button is melted" problem. It never gave any warning and when it decided to quit it was beyond servicing. The previous owner had installed extra lights on the headlight circuit with no relay.
I had to buy a new switch, you can't just buy the plastic part (the melted part) that has the contacts. Added relays to take the load off the switch, but I also carry a short piece of heavy wire to jump the starter relay if I have trouble again.

Which leads me to the suggestion: be sure the bike is in neutral, turn on the ignition switch and jump the contacts on the starter relay. If it starts you most likely have a bad starter switch.

[Michvalk]

The last time mine did that, it was the kill switch. I never use it. Held the starter button in, and flipped the kill switch back and forth, and it started right up. Now I flip it once in a while, just to keep the contacts clear

[blastedbugler]

I have similar problem with my Interstate.
The cause for mine is the neutral switch.
Dash light shows green but wont start.
Just have to jiggle the gear lever a bit to get contact.
Must do something about it one of these days.
Don ( Aussie )

[Westernbiker]

Thanks for all the help it was GREATLY appreciated. Last night I pulled the side cover off, got my Valk book out and located the starter relay. I did the check of the relay according to the book and determined the relay was good. Next I went for the starter button. Had a little melt of the plastic and the contacts. Don't know why, there is no extra lighting or such on this circuit. Anyway I was able to get it apart but did break one of the tangs on the copper contact that slides into the slots of the plastic piece. No biggie as it seemed to work even better without it. So I reassembled it and it works real nice. Problem solved and no it did not give any warning, it just quit. No intermitent working of it, just quit working altogether.
Thanks all!!!!!!!!!!!!  

[salty1]

You know it's all how your thumb hits the starter button!      Glad you figured it out. Great thread for things to think about.