Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Starting problem

I am recently experiencing an intermittent starting problem.
Sometimes when i push the starter button nothing happens.
after pushing the button numerous times it works. I understand there are many reasons for this ie. kickstand/sidestand down and in gear, but that is not it unless these switches can stick but it doesn't seem like that. There is the starter motor, starter solenoid, starter relay, starter button. has anyone had this problem or is there a typical prolem here that i can try to fix before giving up or getting stuck on the road? The bike is 2 years old and the battery checks out good.
thanks for your help in advance.

gary

Check this out Gary



Gary check all your connections for one that may be loose..

It could still be the sidestand switch. They are exposed to a lot of flying crud because of their location.

Thanks for the quick reply guys. I appreciate the quick responses and helpful suggestions.

Have a great 2008!

Gary

Has the battery been tested under load by a shop? Napa etc.

Sometimes when i push the starter button nothing happens.
after pushing the button numerous times it works.

If you don't do anything other than pushing the button numerous times, I'd start there! I doubt it would be the kickstand switch, although you could always bypass it to rule that one out. Starter solenoid should at least make a click if it were the contacts within, but wouldn't make a noise if the starter switch itself was not making contact. I would rule out the neutral switch as well, unless you have to mess with the shifter to get it started.

Cheers,
Brad

Battery cable's tight, right?

Just checking.

Gary. I had the exact problem with my BA a few weeks ago. Found a broken solder joint in the ignition switch. Soldered it back to the switch, everything is fine now.

That was Kimmy's bike's problem (loose battery terminal), mine was kickstand switch in the middle of lookout mountain range....never happened again though...

Battery cables and kickstand switch are the most common cause of this symptom.

Again everone, thanks for all the suggestions and I will keep looking until I can report back with the culprit.

Gary

Re. Starting Problems – Happy to report findings
Thanks for the encouragement and motivation to get to the bottom of this issue and saving a trip to the repair shop and of course pocket $’s. Just went out of warranty September 28t, 2007 – with only a bad horn to fix over that period and a false neutral issue(not resolved).
I have to go back and look at all the helpful hints and suggestions to see if anyone pinned it but,
After reading all and looking closely at the wiring diagram that Ray offered up I decided to go after the starter button switch first. This was after getting out my space heater for the garage ( it’s a wet 52 degrees, California wimp, I guess that’s why I stayed in Ca instead of going home to NJ back in 1975, and still looking for warmer – SoCal ?).

I wanted to test the starter switch so i got out my sears ohm meter then needed to find an exposed wire(s) connected to the switch.
I removed two screws fastening the right-hand switch gear assembly cover exposing the two switches (starter button and kill switch). There I saw two wires soldered to the switch so i attached the ohm meter and pushed the button a four or five times with each push going to near zero ohms on the meter then suddenly open circuit. About every fifth time I pushed it, it would fail.
Looked further -
I noted a screw holding down the switch and while removing it noted spring pressure. Slowly removed the screw and discovered three pieces; switch assembly back with wires connected to two contact points (center and outer ring); the starter button with its electrical contact point inside the plastic button. This slipped out last from the other half of the switch gear housing still on the bike; and last the spring that keeps the two contact points separated until the button is pushed in.
After looking at the contact points it was obvious what the problem was. Black thick deposits on both pieces. I took some white scuff-brite pad and with some effort cleaned the two contact points. All back, fasteners secured and works 10 times out of ten plus.
I will put a picture of the assembly opened up in my album on the site

This is great, another success story culminated from the smart and resourceful people on this forum.

Thanks to all and wishing you and your friends and family a fantastic 2008.

Still love my ‘05 Speedmaster after 18,000 miles and a lot of ear plugs (SS long canons)
With what I just saved on this fix I can get the SS braided brake lines from Brent at NewBonneville(other suggestions?)

Gary

Mr Unix,
You were correct. It was the start button needing attention. I estimate that it has been pushed at least 900 times in 2 years (18,000 miles / 20 miles one way to work). Even when the side stand was up or down it didn't have a bearing on the start button. Also the bike was in nuetral most of the time. There is the clutch lever switch to think about but i'm not sure when that comes into play right now but i think it over rides the side stand switch as well.
Thanks for your help.
Happy Holidays to you,

Gary

Glad you got it sorted Gary, and saved some BUCKS