2001 M750 Intermittent Start

[hankrecor]

Hello all,

I have developed a starting problem with my 2001 Monster 750 carbureted and it has been getting more frequent. When I press the start button nothing happens. No sound whatsoever. I flip the kill switch again and bring the kick stand down and up again but nothing. Half the time starts first try, then others after a few presses of the starter. There seems to be no magic combination.

A friend of mine thinks it may be a flat spot on a bushing in the starter, and suggested rapping the starter a couple of times when it happens or moving it forward in gear. Sometimes it seems to work, other times still nothing.

Someone else thinks it is the RH start/kill switch. Anyone with similar experience with this and what worked for you? I don't mind changing out the starter or switch but wanted more opinions on a starting point. I am also seeing a few similar posts while searching through past threads leading me to thinking I may need to track through the electrical system.



Thank you,
Hank

[ducpainter]

Remove and reinstall the small 2 wire plug on the starter solenoid.

[hankrecor]

Thanks. I will give it a shot first.

[hankrecor]

With the work week finally done, I had time to take a look at my bike. I went in the garage to check on the small connector on the solenoid as ducpainter suggested. First I wanted to try starting her up. And first push of the button fired right up, sweet. I checked the connector to see if it was well seated by disconnecting and then re-connecting it to make sure. It looked good and felt well connected. Now she will not start. Waited and tried switching everything off/on and still no start. Rechecked the connector again and everything seems fine, but she just will not start. Ugh.

While reading past posts there where some in-depth detailing of checking electrical current at various locations, etc. I admit I am a noob at bike repair, but would definitely like to dig in. I plan on carving out some time this weekend and look at how far I can get. In past posts a popular recommendation seemed to be to pull the solenoid and clean the contacts. Does this sound like a reasonable place for me to go next?

Thanks for your support.

[suzyj]

It's not the contactor contacts, as you'd still hear a click if it was. Nor the starter, for the same reason.

Pull the connector going to the starter contactor apart, and measure the voltage between pins on the loom side when you press the start button. Should be 12V.

If you get 12V, next check is the starter contactor coil resistance. Put you meter in ohms mode and check the resistance across the starter contactor coil. Should we around 5ohms.

If you don't get 12V, check the wiring back to the starter switch. A common place for wires to the bars to break is where they flex as they go past the steering head.

The secret with any electrical problem is to divide the system up and check each side, to isolate the fault. Rinse and repeat until you've found the problem

[hankrecor]

Thank you suzyj (Hero Member). This is a good way of thinking about it "divide the system up". I look forward to the eventual satisfaction of my bike starting every time. I will keep you posted.

Thanks.

[blocbul]

Hi
It looks like what I got on my M750 last year: it's the wires going to the start button that are cracked due to the reapeted movements of steering. It does or doesn't start depending on steering position.
Disconnect the connector (near the headlight) holding the start cable and get a close look at the wires, especially in the area where it goes near the lower triple. One of wires was cut on mine. Fixed by soldering, isolating and rerouting the cables a bit.
It seems to be a common problem ....