Starter Solenoid

[MancoIII]

Reference: 1999 Valkyrie Interstate

Local dealer wants to replace the starter solenoid for $70+.  Before jumping into that, I want to know more.

What is the part number for the starter solenoid and in which microfiche category is it listed?

Do I need to repair or replace anything else associated with the solenoid?

Thanks,
Al Wilson

[Ricky-D]

What is the supposed problem?

What are the symptoms?

***

[Chrisj CMA]

If the solenoid is fried, it will look melted and the area where the 30A fuse goes will be the most noticable.  If it doesnt look melted, many starting issues can be fixed by doing the starter button maintenance.  However, dealers dont do this, its not a fixable part acording to the book, they just replace and charge $$.

Here is the link.  http://www.rattlebars.com/mtz/starter.html

If it needs the solenoid and the dealer can do it for under $100 thats not  a bad deal......if they charge labor like our dealer 70+ could be hundreds at $130 an hour, be careful.

[MancoIII]

Symptoms:
When I press the starter switch the power to the dash and lights turns off and there is no response from the starter.  This was perceeded by a period of time when the starter would turn over the engine as it should but the engine would not light up.

What I have already done:
1) Starter switch maintenance (it was really clean and the contacts were mating properly);
2) Rebuilt the fuel valve solenoid (it appeared to be working fine but I rebuilt it anyway), and;
3) Inspected the fuel screen atop the fuel valve (it was as clean as a new screen).

Battery is charging at 14.4 volts while running and at 12 volts while off.

Al Wilson

[R J]

Under the right side cover is a bunch of wires in a rubber boot.

Pull the boot back and see if you find something that looks like this.

If so you can order the following part from Honda, and splice it in.  You have to move one of the wires in the connector, red one.   Move it so it match's the connector on the bike.





This repair kit is actually for an older Gold Wing, the fuse will not have a cover like it does now and the rubber boot is LARGER.......

[MancoIII]

Thanks.  I'll order that part now.

[R J]

Thanks.  I'll order that part now.

Order that part # if your red socket looks like this one? 

If your red connector doesn't look like this, then you neeed to diagnose the problem further.

[Valkpilot]

Symptoms:
When I press the starter switch the power to the dash and lights turns off and there is no response from the starter.  This was perceeded by a period of time when the starter would turn over the engine as it should but the engine would not light up.

What I have already done:
1) Starter switch maintenance (it was really clean and the contacts were mating properly);
2) Rebuilt the fuel valve solenoid (it appeared to be working fine but I rebuilt it anyway), and;
3) Inspected the fuel screen atop the fuel valve (it was as clean as a new screen).

Battery is charging at 14.4 volts while running and at 12 volts while off.

Al Wilson

If your connections and relay look OK, your symptoms are consistent with a bad battery.  When these batteries go bad, they appear to have sufficient voltage, but as soon as you put a load on them they can't handle it.  See if you can jump start the bike from a non-running car.  If it leaps to life, I'll bet it's the battery.

[MancoIII]

Starter solenoid looks like it could be the problem.  Local shop load tested the battery first and deemd it in good order (new battery less than three months old).

Thanks to all,
Al

[MancoIII]

Well I have the errant starter solenoid in hand.  It does not look damaged.  I guess the interanl contacts could be fried/fused or damaged.  I completed the fuel valve rebuild, inspected the fuel screen, inspected and cleaned the starter switch, and replaced the battery.  None of which solved the original problem.  Switching out the starter solenoid seems to have solved it.  I am glad that I went through all of the other inspections and cleanings, and rebuilds anyway.  Fired the bike up this morning and it was like it was new again.  Engine fired almost instantly.
Thanks for all of your help.
Al