'98 Starter Solenoid

[Murrgh]

Starter Solenoid is acting up as of this morning. Was looking at getting a few spares, but they all get pretty poor reviews online. Anyone have one that they recommend?

Tried searching and didn't come up with much.

[Chrisj CMA]

What do you mean by acting up?

[indybobm]

Majority of the time people think that their starter solenoid is acting up it is the starter button that needs work.

[Gryphon Rider]

The solenoid (called the starter relay switch by Honda) is unlikely to fail at the frequency needed to carry a few spares.  I've never replaced mine, and don't have a spare.  The thing to do to keep it working well is unplug the connector, clean the connecting surfaces on both sides of the connector with contact cleaner, then perhaps add dielectric grease to prevent corrosion before reconnecting.  When they fail, it's because the connection fails and overheats, melting the connector and probably making the solenoid fail, although I've never seen one dissected after failure.

[JimC]

I agree it is probably the start button, but with the cost of the replacement solenoids it will not hurt too buy a spare. Check out the link below.

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=valkyrie+starter+solenoid

Jim

[gordonv]

Starter relay?

Starter button or low battery. Easy to check the battery. Known good battery (daily driver), and hook it up to your bike.

What is going on to make you think it's the relay? What problem are you having.

[Murrgh]

Twice in the last few days, I've been unable to start. Lights come on with the ignition switch, I press the starter button, the headlight goes off, and then nothing. I did some research and decided to try and short the starter relay. Tried starting after and she came alive with no issues. Same thing happened this morning. I just figured replacing the relay might fix this.

New battery, verified fully charged as well.

[RonW]

The start button triggers ON the starter relay like a wall switch turns on the lights. That's why they were pointing to a faulty start button that's unable to trigger ON the starter relay.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Twice in the last few days, I've been unable to start. Lights come on with the ignition switch, I press the starter button, the headlight goes off, and then nothing. I did some research and decided to try and short the starter relay. Tried starting after and she came alive with no issues. Same thing happened this morning. I just figured replacing the relay might fix this.

New battery, verified fully charged as well.

Take apart your start switch. Probably just needs cleaned up. Be very careful not to lose the little springs and parts.

[OzValk]

Fwiw
I had same bike symptom. The great advice on this site had me check battery, then disassemble ignition and starter assemblies  and thoroughly service/clean. I cleaned everything i could find in ignition circuit..
Reassembled and bike started.
I found nothing broken and reckon it was just the effect of 17 years.
Reminded me theres plenty maintenance ahead of me.
Cheers from Downunder.

[Murrgh]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I will be cleaning the starter assembly next!

[Bighead]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I will be cleaning the starter assembly next!

You will be a happy man when you do

[Gryphon Rider]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I will be cleaning the starter assembly next!

Assuming you mean starter switch assembly beside the right hand grip. 

BTW, the headlight is supposed to go off as you're depressing the start button.

[gordonv]

You'll find the How-To in the Shoptalk section.

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

Some have needed to do it twice, so make sure you get ALL the old lubricant out of the holes the springs are in.

[98valk]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I will be cleaning the starter assembly next!

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

[Chrisj CMA]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I will be cleaning the starter assembly next!

Make sure the little contact is free to bounce up and down on it's little spring.