Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Will not start, electrial !

I need some advise. I have a gremlin that has been haunting me on and off for 6-8 months. Occasionally the bike will not start. A fast click like the solenoid is not engaging.
Push the bike,fires right up. I replaced a three + year old battery thinking that was the problem. Nope still happens, ocassionaly. Very frustrating, I can go weeks without an issue, then bang here we go again.

100 mile trip yesterday, four stops no problem. Fifth stop,clickity,clcikity no go. I'm five mins from home. Push the bike fire up ride her to the house. Let the bike and ME cool off 15 mins. Put the meter on the battery, 12.4 volts.
Try to start, fires right up. What the heck. I checked everything I can. Nothing is loose. Di electric grease on the connections. Check the battery again the morning, still reading 12.4. Still fires up.

My hunch tells me it's the solenoid but if that is weak why would it start after a 5 min ride. I'm taking the meter with me from now on to check the battery if this happens again.
But as I stated earlier it could be weeks before it acts up.
Mike

Sounds like there's corrosion or debris build up in the solenoid since it is intermittent. Seems like you've eliminated it being a heat related issue or a connection issue; the only thing you didn't mention is the actual ground used by the solenoid itself, which might be dodgy enough to cause this. I need to look myself and see if the solenoid uses a wire or a "hard" ground to the frame.

You know, this probably isn't what's causing your problem, but ya never know:
One time my wife's minivan kept having problems...clickity-clack sound when trying to start...then later it would start right up....then same thing again.
I kept cleaning the batt terminals, checking wires, etc etc...used the volt meter and it would show 12 volts +...check it again and just a few volts would show. She took it to Pep Boys, they checked battery, and said nothing was wrong with it.....then she tries to start it up...clickity-clack again. They were closing up but they came out to help. Finally, they just put in a new battery and everywhere has worked right since! Just a wacky battery. The best thing is they gave her the battery for free!

Churchkey, I thought about that. Only thing is it did the same thing with the old battery. I replaced it thinking it had a cell going out. Same problem keeps coming up with the battery I installed 3 months ago.
Weird deal.

There is a similar thread on the Rat.net, Jersey Jeff posted. Here's my response:

My 02 did the same thing two years ago. I thought for sure it was switch related. Local dealer said it was the starter solenoid. Ordered the part, but they screwed up and ordered the starter relay instead ($11). I bought the relay and bumped into the mechanic on the way out. Told him about the wrong part, he said I wasted $11. I said oh well, call me when the solenoid comes in ($100). They never called back, and after two weeks I decided what the heck, put the relay in. With the new relay, I've never had a problem since. (still waiting for the call on that starter solenoid....) You might want to take the $11 gamble, not much to lose. Keep us posted. This problem frustrated me for several months before swapping out the relay.

I'd say the starter relay is a really good place to start.

ssjones,chy you guys are probably correct. That's why I posted the thread. I knew someone would point me in the right direction.
Two relays on the frame under the tank. Are one of those the starter relay? Can I grab something from Pep Boys to replace it?
Mike

Yep.. ones the flasher and the other is the relay. Dunno 'bout the Pep Boys thing but if it works be sure to give us the part-no. for the tech vault.

Chy, manual states 1 is the indicator relay. 2 is headlight relay?
So is the headlight relay the same for the starter relay?

Mike

I didn't look locally because I was expecting to buy/install the starter solenoid.

It's been a few years now, I can't recall which relay it is in that three-way harness.

Just looked at my wiring digram and am I crazy or is there no reference to the relay???? I see the starter motor and solenoid but no relay.

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Just looked at my wiring digram and am I crazy or is there no reference to the relay???? I see the starter motor and solenoid but no relay.

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Not sure I do not have the tank off. Are there three relays on the frame. I can't recall? Hmmm
Mike

It's the round module behind the right side-panel per the Haynes Manual. If you give me a few minutes I can transcribe what Hayne's says for checking the relay and PM you with it.

there are only 3 relays if you have the driving lights.
stock there is only 2.

Pete, I do have have the driving lights.

Hey Mike,

Just looked in the parts fiche and one is listed as the indicator relay and the other as the starter relay (T2501700 in case you need this #) so the headlight relay has to be the starter relay also.

PM sent to mikemm03

Tom thanks for the PM info. I had just pulled the relay before reading the your PM. It defiantly is the same as the headlight relay, closest to the front end. Listed as 2 in the Triumph manual. I'm gonna run to Autozone as see if I get lucky.
Mike

Starter Relay (AKA Solenoid)

This is the item I had to replace. The other was what the mechanic said was bad, the starter solenoid/relay. He knocked it with a hammer and said, "see, it's clicking, defintely bad". I replaced the relay they ordered by mistake and haven't had a problem for two years.

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Mate,
My bike completely shut down a few weeks ago. The instrument light fuse blew. Took out ALL of the electrics. Replaced the fuse bang, back on the road. Bloody weird. I still don't know how that worked!! If you can't get the easy stuff maybe there might be something in that?

having the same issues.
let me know what you come up with.
My next step is cleaning all grounds bat. and solenoid.
good luck!
Scott

Was having the same problems on my bike. Press the starter button and nothin happened. I actually took the solenoid apart to clean it at one stage. Problem kept happening.
I ended up replacing the relay under the tank but didn't think it could possibly be the problem and guess what it was!!
Havent had it happen since. I payed about five bucks for the replacement its worth the bucks just to see if it is the culprit.

SRS, did you pick one up from a parts store or is it a dealer only item?
Mike

Mike
I did not get it from the dealers it would be ten x the price possibly. Over here we have stores called supercheap autos they sell all your accessories and bits for cars.
I tried to find the receipt to give you an accurate description but it has disappeared. If I remember right it is called a Single Pole Double Throw changeover relay. The best thing to do is take your old one along they usually have a tiny schematic drawing on the side of them which makes it easy to match.

Mike:
If you get it locally, definitely get that applicaton number in the tech vault. I love trouble-shooting when it only costs $5!

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Mike
I did not get it from the dealers it would be ten x the price possibly. Over here we have stores called supercheap autos they sell all your accessories and bits for cars.
I tried to find the receipt to give you an accurate description but it has disappeared. If I remember right it is called a Single Pole Double Throw changeover relay. The best thing to do is take your old one along they usually have a tiny schematic drawing on the side of them which makes it easy to match.

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Having the same problem too,for the last month or so . took bike to a dealer and he checked the charging system ,ok'd it, says the battery was hooped (new battery 3 months ago )changed battery . a few days later ,same bloody thing clickity clickety. tightened everything up, cleaned fuses etc same shite happens, was just about to post for help and heres the very thread (this place never ceases to amaze me ).so i,ll be rippin out said relay and headin out to the parts store, hopefully this is my problem solved (fingers crossed).

changed out the relay ($10 at auto part store), still clickety clickity lookin like its the solenoid .dealer time again but first ALE/SCOTCH TIME

"Edit,the middle pin should read 87a on the top drawing"

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Ok, here's where I'm at. As we all learned earlier the headlight relay is the same as the starter relay.
I visited five auto parts store and came away with a relay for Oreilly Auto Parts. Looks real close, put it in bing the bike started but no headlight. Hmmm. try the stocker headlight works bike turns over. Try the aftermarket again.
No headlight.
I made a drawing of both relays. Hopefully someone with an understanding of schematics can shed a little light on this issue. If you can find a match I'm sure it would work.
Mike
excuse the drawing, I not a little kid I just draw like one

Celt, you have a part number? Did everything work? Headlight etc?
Mike

If you can remove and relocate the leads in the harness I believe you should try swapping pin 30 and outside 87. Might keep some fuses on hand in case I'm full of s...

Oldroadie, you might be right on both accounts
But I'm looking for a direct swap. The pins are the same but the schematic is different. Close loop open loop whatever, etc?

gimme 10mins and i,ll look for it mike

ok , relay is a bosch 12v 0 332 209 137.headlights do work, low and hi beam if that helps. the pin config is the same numbers all match (85,86 87,30)however the middle pin is 87a.
the schematic on the side of the bosch is different from the org and from your o reilly relay . as i stated lights work and i,m still getting the clicking . hope this helps you .

Celt, my mistake. The middle pin on the drawing for the stock Hella should have read 87a.
I'm not sure what the 87a means, maybe someone can chime in and clarify this.
Sorry to here this did not help your situation. Might be the solenoid.
My bike is an intermittent problem. I'll see if I can locate the Bosch and give thath a try.
Mike

Incredible! Was having the exact symptoms when at the Euro Rally. Bike suddenly died on the road and all that was when trying to start it back up was the clicking of the solenoid. Ended up changing the battery to a new one (Thanks again Johann for driving down to Jönköping and back for me) and the symptoms went away - for a while... On the way back home together with Bedouin same thing happened a couple of times. Jump starting was the only way to get her going. Took the back roads instead of the highway and Bedouin offered to join me all the way to Uppsala. My friend, a big thanks to you as well! Found this thread and bought a new relay today. Tomorrow will show if the relay was the culprit even for me. Fingers crossed...

hope that works for you Piper . i talked to a triumph mech today ,same guy who checked the charging system ,i tell him same problem again ,i changed the battery for a new one, he says "its the battery ,not yuasa not good ". he had the same prob with a speed triple ,changed to yuasa battery and problem solved . i,m not totally convinced however ,will be putting bike back together and driving it back to my orig dealer let them have a look . two weeks out of warranty and this shite happens.not a happy camper ,thank the gods for glenmorangie and cheap stogies . how about you Mikemm03 any joy .

Celt, after searching five auto parts stores for a replacement I gave up. The Bosch number is not valid here in the states. Not sure what the deal with that is!
Called the Tri dealer, not in stock. Should have it by Saturday.12 bucks.
I spent that much in fuel running around looking for a cheap replacement
Mike

Works - at least right now... Hopefully this was it. I always thought that a relay was either shot or OK and never somewhere in between...

Change the solenoid...Mine went haywire 1500 miles ago; no issues since. Same symptoms you have. Remember electrical parts have a mind of their own and will decide to quit or work a moments notice...even after sitting for a while. Goodluck!