I need help trouble shooting!

[Jsk4739]

Hello to all! I hope everyone is having a great summer so far!

Well let me give you some background info. I got my 98 Valkyrie at the beginning of spring. I rode it quite a bit and one day I went to start it and heard the dreaded clack of hydrolock. So I pulled the motor and repaired 2 gears that broke teeth and replaced the rear case because it cracked as well.  After putting it all back together it cranked over and cranked over until the battery died. So I put it on the charger overnight and charged it. Go out the next morning and put the battery in cranked it a few times and it started right up. I thought to myself great it's fixed and I can ride! Well I put everything back together and went to start it to go for a much needed ride! Hit the start button nothing happens. So I check basic things and can't get it to turn over for nothing. So I had a spare starter here tried it and still nothing. I then cleaned the starter button housing to make sure it was making contact. It fired right up. Next time I go to start it and nothing again. So I checked all the fuses everything is good. I checked the starter relay and seen some corrosion so I thought that was the problem and ordered a new relay. It came in the mail today put it on the bike and of course nothing. So I checked all the wiring and connections. I can't find any issues. I'm not sure what else to check at this point??? All the lights and everything light up and work so I know I have power all over the bike. I turn the key and hit the start button and the headlight goes out but nothing else happens. Any input would be GREATLY appreciated.

[old2soon]

When we replaced the alt in my I/S last week we had a similar situation-no start with a fully charged battery and replacement alt. Long story short a plug in the fairing needed a cleanup and a contact tightened up. The headlight(s) are supposed to go out when you push the starter button. Anyway that plug was THE reason for the no start on my I/S. You MIGHT have a similar or the same problem. RIDE SAFE.

[Chrisj CMA]

Sounds like it's still the starter button.  Just because it's clean doesn't mean it's working.  Were the little contact things bouncy? Or were they stuck in their little slot?

[Michvalk]

Give the kill switch a flip back and forth. That might need a clean as well

[Jsk4739]

I have checked all the electrical plugs on the entire bike I believe. I can't find any issues with them. The start switch was bouncy and making good contact. I also just checked the kill switch as well and can't see any issues. I am wondering if the new rear engine cover is heavily painted or something where the ground bolts to it?? Is that even a possible reason of why?

[The emperor has no clothes]

Try jumpering at the starter relay. If it works that tells you it's still your starter switch.

[Jsk4739]

Meat head I just jumped it and it works fine.  I wasn't expecting that kind of sparks....lol. It turned over fine though. So I need to buy a starter switch??

[Crackerborn]

Do a search for starter button maintenance. Try that before springing for a new OEM starter switch. I had to do mine twice while in FL earlier this year. I must not have cleaned the contacts well enough the first time. Then on the way back, the 6 year old battery croaked while only 5 or 6 hundred miles from home on a Sunday morning.

[gordonv]

Here is the Shoptalk starter switch repair.

http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/VSGPages/starterbutton.htm

But my concern is that you fixed you hydro lock damage, but not the source. Did you find and fix the source of your hydro lock (petcock and carbs)?

[Jsk4739]

Thanks for the link! I did fix the cause of the hydrolock. The carbs were dirty and the float needles were distorted. So I rebuilt the carbs completely and put a new peacock on also.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Meat head I just jumped it and it works fine.  I wasn't expecting that kind of sparks....lol. It turned over fine though. So I need to buy a starter switch??

Do a search for starter button maintenance. Try that before springing for a new OEM starter switch. I had to do mine twice while in FL earlier this year. I must not have cleaned the contacts well enough the first time. Then on the way back, the 6 year old battery croaked while only 5 or 6 hundred miles from home on a Sunday morning.

I agree with crackerborn. I would take the switch apart again and give it another go at it.

[Pappy!]

Thanks for the link! I did fix the cause of the hydrolock. The carbs were dirty and the float needles were distorted. So I rebuilt the carbs completely and put a new peacock on also.

I bet that is one pissed off Peacock......sorry, couldn't help it!

[Jsk4739]

Yea that's auto correct for you! So I cleaned the switch 4 times last night and it still doesn't work. I even tried jumping it and nothing. So I think it's safe to say I need to buy a new starter switch unless someone knows how to bypass it and wire a new one. Also just wanted to say thanks to everyone for trying to help me figure this out. I'm tired of working on this bike I just want to ride! It only has 12k miles on it. I'm hoping to get it past 20k before winter.

[97BLKVALK]

I hope you can get those miles on before the end of summer.

Where are you located?  It always helps to have location as members are willing to help if needed.

Michael

[Paladin528]

Something you mentioned above is sticking out.  If the case is painted then any corrosion in the bolt hole for the ground cable will prevent good contact.  Remove the ground cable and sand the surface around the hole to bare metal and reinstall the cable.  A bad ground will do exactly this.  That cable IS the starter ground

[Jsk4739]

I am located in Cincinnati Ohio. I don't think it's the ground wire because when I jump the starter relay it starts the bike easily. I am not sure what else it can be besides the actual starter switch.

[R J]

I am located in Cincinnati Ohio. I don't think it's the ground wire because when I jump the starter relay it starts the bike easily. I am not sure what else it can be besides the actual starter switch.

Before ya start thinking outloud, try what the guys suggest.   You'd be surprised how much you can learn from them.

Still sounds like a piss poor ground.

Now, take the cable loose, sand the paint off to bare metal and put it back together.

I'll bet ya a dollar to a donut it will fix your problem.

[Jsk4739]

Well I just took the ground wire off and sanded the rear case and the wire connector very good and still nothing. I also just cleaned the starter button again and nothing. I hit the start button and the headlight goes out like it is supposed to but that's it. Any other suggestions or possibilities you guys can think of?? I appreciate all the help and wisdom you guys are offering!

[slabghost]

Try tapping the start relay while holding the start button. Not hard enough to break it but don't hold back much. If it starts I'd suspect the relay is faulty. AKA starter solenoid.

[Ricky-D]

I don't know what you're doing when cleaning the starter switch but there's a lot more to it than just cleaning the switch. ChrisJ will enlighten you to what needs to be done with the switch.

***

[Jsk4739]

Well I found the issue today. There was a loose wire that goes into the fuse box on the back side. I fixed it and she started up instantly. I'm just happy it's back up and running. I put 112 miles on her today with no issues. I really appreciate you guys trying to help me trouble shoot the problem

[R J]

Glad ya found the problem.

Happy Trails.