1999 starting problem

[SPWALKER]

I have a 1999 1500 Valkyrie with a starting problem. From it running well one day to the next day I backed it out of the garage and hit the start button, it sounded like it had no fire as it turned over. After three tries and checking the fuel supply it then would not spin over at all. The lights come on and the horn sounds. I have checked the 30 amp fuse and the battery and they are all good. It is like a kill switch is on but I have checked the switch on the bar and it is turned on to run. I know it has a kill switch in the kick stand and a drop kill switch but I do not know how to check them so some help on this would help. I also think it could be the starter relay or some other electrical problem. Short of loading it up and taking it to a dealer ($$$) I believe it has to be simple that is why I have turned to the forum. Any one have an idea what to do?

Thank you in advance.

SPWalker
Mc Allen, Texas

[bigdog99]

if its the kickstand switch it has to be in gear for that to keep the starte from working, make sure its in nuetral and see if that works. the kickstand switch is on the stand itself from the under side and can be removed with 1 screw.

[Dave Weaver]

It takes a fully charged GOOD battery to fire one of these fat girls up.  My guess is your battery has been slowly weakening and now will not do the job.  Charge it up good and try again.

[Valker]

Ditto on the charging.

[Red Diamond]

Few questions; How old is the battery?
                    Did you rock the kill switch back and forth to help remove corrosion?
                    If the bike sits outside, these switches will develop corrosion as they are copper
                    contacts. Some have needed removal for maintenance.
                    Did you make sure it was in neutral when it did not spin the starter anymore?
                    Did you check you kickstand switch? You can jumper it to check it at the connector
                    to the switch.
                    If you battery is good, did you check your battery contacts? ETC, ETC.
                   
                     I see you live in McAllen, that is corrosion country.

[SPWALKER]

I did make sure it was in neutral and I charged the battery for a day on trickle charge. The battery is three years old (solid core no fluids) so I had it tested at O' Rileys Auto parts and they told me it was at 98% good.  The bike is in my garage so it sees no moisture except for when I wash it. The switch on the bar could be it so I did go back and forth a few times and gave it a work out. I rocked the bike so I know it is not locked up.  Battery contacts also look good. Neutral light comes on when I turn on the switch.

Thank you for the help.

SPWALKER
McAllen, Texas

[Ricky-D]

It's a little confusing here!

The motor will not turn over if: (1) the key is off, (2) the tilt switch is activated, (3) the kill switch on the handle bars is activated, (4) any of the safety switches are activated in combination with being in gear.

Is this what you are saying is the problem?

Or, are you saying the motor turns over but will not start?

Or, are you saying it is both?

***

[Tx Bohemian]

The explanation is a bit confusing.

As stated these things have got to have a full battery for starting, I found this out a couple of days after I bought mine.  Without the proper charge they'll spin like crazy but will not start.

If the bike has a lot of miles it could be a starter, why the lights and horn works but no start. (this is after checking all the other suggestions, kill switch, kickstand, etc...)

Personally I haven't had luck with auto parts stores checking batteries.  I'd take the battery to some other place like a Interstate battery place or reputible garage. And a day charging is not enough for a really drained battery.  They need something like 72 hours.

Try jumping it off from a car battery with the car NOT running.  When I do this to mine it fires up really quick.  If it starts here you know it's a battery or if it doesn't start it's not.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

You could try and push start it. If it starts you'ld know that it must be an electrical or safety switch problem. They are really pretty easy to push start.The little red switch on the handlebars  has caused many people problems by being bumped into the off position. I hung my helmet up on the handelbar once and tripped the switch thought I had lost the starter button but it was just the kill switch out of position. Good luck

[TGViper]

I think what he is saying is...

It did not start but turned over, THEN it would not even turn over...  Correct? 

Viper

[SPWALKER]

My Apologies for the confusion. Viper is correct. To clarify, the bike would spin over at first. I tried to start it three times and on the forth try it would spin at all and not even make a sound. I checked all the switch and fuses several times.

I will try the battery suggestion and the jump start.

Thank you.
SPWALKER

[TGViper]

My Apologies for the confusion. Viper is correct. To clarify, the bike would spin over at first. I tried to start it three times and on the forth try it would spin at all and not even make a sound. I checked all the switch and fuses several times.

I will try the battery suggestion and the jump start.

Thank you.
SPWALKER

After it would not spin, would the horn and lights still work?

[SPWALKER]

Yes the horn and lights work fine.

SPW

[R J]

Jump it off of a cage.    Make sure the cage is NOT running.

Sounds like your battery took a crap on ya......

[TGViper]

Jump it off of a cage.    Make sure the cage is NOT running.

Sounds like your battery took a crap on ya......

I agree with the battery being the problem.  Unless there is pressure built up in the cylinders that won't allow it to turn over?  Suppose you could pull plugs and see if it turns over (no compression resistance) but I would try the battery first.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

You may have melted the contacts in the starter button, after too long of cranking.

[1FAST6]

My bet is on the battery also.  Try jumping it off a known good car battery (engine off) and see if she fires off.  If so, get a new battery.  3-5 years is average expected life.  I know, some still have the original battery, but that just makes you "special"!   

[SPWALKER]

All good comments and I want to thank you all for the help.

The motor is not locked up as I have put it in gear and rocked it to turn it over. No vapor lock for sure. When I attempted to start it the three times I hit the starter I did not stay on it long. It sound like it had no fire. After the three attempts is when it would not even make a sound.

I have ordered the new battery and will just replace the old one and eliminate that as a possibility. Should get it tomorrow. It scares me to jump it off a car battery, as I fear it could amp out the starter or other electrical items.

Should know more by this time tomorrow.

Any one from the Valley own a Valkyrie?

Later

SPWALKER
McAllen, Texas

[BuzzKill]

I had a similar problem.  Couldnt figure it out.  Then had my neighbors charger and cranked it up to Start mode or something, and it started right up.  Bought new battery, problem solved.

I did have a problem couple weeks ago where it wouldnt crank at all.  I had done some wiring the weekend before and that worried me.  Messed with batter a bit and it clicked at least this time.  I ended up tightning the crap out of the terminals on the battery and that took care of it.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

If the new battery doesn't do it then check the wire connectors on the starter relay. This has stopped my valk once. Also check that the fuse in the top of the relay is not corroded. It can look fine from the top but when you pull it you will see if you have a problem there.

[SPWALKER]

Start problem solved.

I put in a new battery in and tried the start button and no go. I then worked the kill switch on the bar and worked it hard back and forth vigorously while hitting the start button. The bike turned over. Now I know it has some corrosion or has sticky points at the kill switch. Several on the forum made this call as a solution but I guess I was a little hard headed to go there till later in the game.

The kill switch has a small opening all around it between the red plastic button and the aluminum housing. I would say that even when you wash the bike a small amount of water could get down into the switch.

I plan on disassembling the switch and giving it a good cleaning and then apply a small portion grease to kill any rust or corrosion in the future.

Thanks to all that helped out. It kept me thinking and gave some support.

The worlds just no good when your scooter is down.

SPWALKER
McAllen, Texas