Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Intermittent starting (cranking) issue.

05 America that doesn't seem to want to start every time. I cannot figure out where to look next. Issue is getting the starter to turn, once it does, the bike runs fine. It happens maybe 1 time out of every 4-5 starts. Here's what I have checked so far.
1] Battery & connections - New & good. all retightend
2] Soleniod - Works good - I took it off & tested it, cleaned connections and put it back together.
3] Starter button - removed & cleaned contacts. Tested connection & is fine.
4] Relay box, clutch & sidestand cut offs -- no issues
5] Connections at the starter are good.

I try tapping the starter, playing with the cutout switches, turning the key on/off etc.... There is no pattern to when it go ahead and fire, I just have to wait a couple minutes & it will start like nothing was wrong.

I am down to two ideas A] Neutral switch? where & how can I bypass it? or B] could it be the starter brushes? Can I just clean them, or do the have to be replaced?

I'd appreciate any help, or if there is another connection I should be checking.

Are you using the Choke?

Edit: Nevermind, it sounds electrical.

Did you take the solenoid apart? The bigger contacts might be pitted, I've had that issue on a different bike.

Have you checked the power at the starter when switch is activated? If crook brushes or weak armature winding a good tap with a hammer will normally move it just enough to get some action. Do not use a sledge hammer though!!!! An intermittent wiring prob could also be the culprit but checking the supply at starter should pick this up.

I agree with Kent. When it doesn't start, try and see where there is and isn't power. Have you tried jumpering the starter solenoid when it happens? Have you checked the starter relay under the fuel tank? Sounds like the contacts on either could be corroded. These can be pulled apart and the contacts cleaned.

The control portion of the starter circuit finds a ground through the clutch switch to the sidestand and or the neutral switch. Neutral switch is under the engine. If you pull the clutch lever and also have the bike in neutral, the control portion of the starter finds a ground through the sidestand and neutral switches. If the bike still won't start when lever is pulled and bike in neutral, these probably aren't the problem since both would have to be failing.

One thing I forgot to mention Kurt. Your statement that you leave it sitting for a while and then will start. Resistance to current flow creates heat so the faulty component or connection in some cases will get a tad hot. Basic stuff but worth checking and easy to do!

Besides the duff solenoid output I've also had intermittent starter operation that traced back to the under tank relay. Tested good with a meter but wouldn't flow enough current on demand, you can find an exact replacement for around $12 at O'Reilly's auto parts.

Check the starter switch too. Mine was bad and i had to push it reallyhard to get it to activate. I doubt its it but worth a look