starter wont spin, seems to be related to neutral lite VALK MD needed

[zzed28]

A few days ago, after a particularly heavy rain in which my bike had been under a good cover, I went to start it,  the key was on, I put the sidestand up and the kill switch was in the run position. I believe at that time the bike was in gear. I ticked the starter button, and it spun the starter, I ticked it again, since thats what I do to avoid hydrolock, and the starter just made a tiny noise, and all the dash lites went off as if a fuse were blown.  I cycled the kill switch, went back to run, still no dash lites, so I put the bike in neutral, and turned the key back on, and the lites went on, and the bike started.  Since then, every time Ive ridden the bike, some thing like that has happened, I cycle the kill switch, put it in neutral up the kickstand, shut the key on and off,and on again, and it will usually start with the dash lites on the way they should be. When I say dash lites, I mean the warning lites in the headlite top.  Mine is a 99 I believe C model, it has soft bags and a shield only.  I am thinking that I have a wet neutral switch but having done anything yet. So far that bike always has started although it seems to get a bit more balky with every incident. Ive got it back in the shed and low and behold it did it when I put it away, then of course after playing with things, it started again.  Has anyone got any troubleshooting expertise re this happening. VALK MD, needed.

[Firefighter]

Do a search on the starter relay. You will find many post on how that relay connectors get dirty and burn up. Shows how to fix to make it better than new.

If its not that it will probably be some connection starting with the battery to the starter.

Switches would be my last choice but others here will have experienced ideals.

[zzed28]

Well at least I know how to do that, since I must have spent three days inspecting and polishing it up last spring.  There was nothing wrong with it then but who knows now, maybe some moisture has got in there, we had four inches of rain over two days, just prior to this occurring. My cover for the bike is good, but prolly not perfect.  Anyone else??

[gordonv]

With the bike ready to run, when you press the start button, does you're head light go out, then release, and your head light come back on?

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

When you're having trouble, have you tried to jump the battery from a known working, none running, battery? See if you still have this problem.

Starter switch is the most common problem. The starter relay could be a problem, and is worth inspecting every year or so anyways, for over heating or corrosion. A bad battery could be anything from the battery to the leads/corrosion.

With regards to your model, if it is the GL1500C, then it's the standard, with add on bags and windshield.

[zzed28]

Gordon, yes, if the system is working properly, the headlite goes out when the start button is pushed, and comes back on when I let off of the start button.  I have not actually tested the headlite on off situation when the bike was refusing to start. I will do that very next time.

Re testing the battery, I will check all the connections, and if it stops again try to have it set up where I can jump it from my truck. However, at this time, I have never had it absolutely refuse to start. So far, what  with switch fiddling, turning the key on and off, on and off the kill switch as well as putting it in neutral, it ends up starting.

[da prez]

  I always say , back to basics. REMOVE and clean all connections to include the grounds. Remove ,wire brush , diaelectric grease where needed. The majority of electrical problems are related to corrosion . A loose connection causes a heat build up and wiring lets go. Take the time to go thru the system and check all connections.  The tech board has a wealth of info on these bikes.
  We know more than the dealers.

                                                       da prez

[Ricky-D]

It sounds to me as if the kill switch is the culprit.

***

[Paladin528]

If the Green N light is on then your neutral switch is working.  Maybe the kickstand switch?

[zzed28]

All of the lites work fine, if the bike will start. None of the lights turn on, if the starter is not turning when the button is pushed.   The headlite does not go off, if the starter button is pushed,, during this time of lights not lighting and starter not spinning.  I will check all connections and do all the basic stuff very soon.

[Moonshot_1]

With the bike ready to run, when you press the start button, does you're head light go out, then release, and your head light come back on?

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

When you're having trouble, have you tried to jump the battery from a known working, none running, battery? See if you still have this problem.

Starter switch is the most common problem. The starter relay could be a problem, and is worth inspecting every year or so anyways, for over heating or corrosion. A bad battery could be anything from the battery to the leads/corrosion.

With regards to your model, if it is the GL1500C, then it's the standard, with add on bags and windshield.

+1 here. Follow the link and do the maintenance as prescribed. Easy and doesn't cost anything.
After some cold, damp days, it might have just made a little mess of things in there. Doesn't really take much to make it act up. And it will happen suddenly too. Prior to one cleaning session I was riding and starting it up for most of the summer. Started fine, went to the store, came out, no start. Then no start and no headlight. Clean the start button as prescribed, and tada.

Note: It may take a couple of attempts before you get it back to working order. Just take your time.
Sometimes, when it gives you trouble, try wiggling the button as you press it with your thumb and see if that doesn't start things up. If it does, that is the culprit.

Or it could be something completely different. (A Monty Python clip would be appropriate here)

[zzed28]

Well I tested things pretty good here today, I started and stopped five or so times, and never had a glitch. I did make one change, I put the sidestand completely up, all the way ,every time.  So since I am kinda lazy about the sidestand being half down when I try to start the bike, always have been, I will be putting it all the up from now on.  I am gonna do the maintenance suggested though, no sense in not doing it, sounds easy.  Also gonna check to see if something is loose on the sidestand.

[Paladin528]

I have to give my side stand an extra kick up as well.  its pretty sloppy.

[Jess from VA]

Hit the kickstand pivot with some Lockease from time to time, it gets grimy under there.

[Moonshot_1]

Well I tested things pretty good here today, I started and stopped five or so times, and never had a glitch. I did make one change, I put the sidestand completely up, all the way ,every time.  So since I am kinda lazy about the sidestand being half down when I try to start the bike, always have been, I will be putting it all the up from now on.  I am gonna do the maintenance suggested though, no sense in not doing it, sounds easy.  Also gonna check to see if something is loose on the sidestand.

If you are no longer having glitches I wouldn't do the starter button main. unless you start having glitches again. My experience with the start button is it usually won't work properly until you clean it up. If it is working properly now then I would suggest you have found the issue in the kickstand.

[F6Viking]

First step is to be 100% sure you have enough power from the battery
Then:
+1 on also  checking kill switch.
This switch has very small contacts like the starter.
If you are toggling it on and off you may be getting intermittent contact problems in there.
I had to service mine this year for similar issue.