Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Starter switch

Has anyone taken the starter switch apart? I'm looking into this because at times when I go to start the motor I turn the ignition key on I get power (lights are on) I push the starter button and no start. I changed The solinoid disconected the side stand saftey and clutch switch mynext move is the starter switch. Maybe the contacts need a cleaning. (Side note if I push the starter button several times the starter will catch and the motor will start.) I'M looking for any onfo and possible little hidden items to watch out for when opening up that area. Thanks Chuck

Headlight relay is your next suspect

Thanks,where is the headlight relay located?

Open for correction, but I remember it being beside another relay under the tank rubber strapped to the frame tube.

Thanks i'll thst and see what happens

What year is the motorcycle? The EFI model does have a voltage requirement before the ECU will let the starter engage, something like 12.6 volts.
I have dealt with the low voltage (12.4VDC) thing as well as the starter button on mine. After that I had a couple times that it didn't want to start and with some frustration I would push the starter button rather hard and wiggle it around. Sometimes it would engage the starter to crank. I then opened the switch gear and had some tarnish or corrosion on the starter button contacts. Cleaned up and things worked well. That is until the clutch micro switch got gunked up and after cleaning it, things worked well again

edit: helps to put a question mark after a question

Thanks Matt I have the bike on a battery tender all the time, i,ve noticed 14.4 - 14.6 vovts on my volt meter when i start the motor. I was also thinking about the starter switch contact being dirty. When you took yours apart are there any obvious precautions I should look for as I open up that area its a 2003 thanks again Chuck

The switch itself is a sealed piece but the contact points are a simple spring loaded item. It will kinda pop out at you if are not careful taking things apart. But it will be fairly obvious how it all goes back together. I wound up using some rather soft emery cloth type sand paper to get back down to metal to metal contact and then sprayed it down with cleaner. That was some time ago.

Thanks will let you know how I make out

An eraser meant for removing ink, makes a great contact cleaner on Brass and Copper too. eraser

Matt, I cleaned the starter switch contact and also the headlight solenoid contacts, excirsed the starter switch many times without a failure went for a short ride stopped several times started the motor no failures. Thanks to all for your advise. Chuck

Glad to hear it Chuck.
Ryk is right about the eraser. But in my case it was not enough and a more abrasive cleaner was needed.