buzzing solenoid/ relay

Started by samuraibiker, October 06, 2015, 06:51:45 AM

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samuraibiker

checked the voltage across the solenoid... 12.9 volts

however, i cant get to the solenoid to get a spanner across it to create a short

i got a spare switch from a friend so will try that and see if its the switch or the solenoid

taking off that airbox looks really troublesome!

monster 400 evolving into a 900; vespa px150, vespa gs 150, suzuki grasstracker 250 60s custom tracker, honda cbr1000rr

samuraibiker

howie... if i am getting voltage across the starter solenoid then does that mean it must be the starter switch ( or some point in the wire between the connector and the solenoid )?

I know its not the starter motor as it turns when i connect it to the battery postive cable.

also...if it is just the starter switch, shouldnt I be able to bump start the bike?
monster 400 evolving into a 900; vespa px150, vespa gs 150, suzuki grasstracker 250 60s custom tracker, honda cbr1000rr

Howie

#17
You need to show us exactly what you are doing.  If the relay is buzzing, the circuit is not complete and the bike will neither crank or bump start. If you are getting a battery voltage from big connector to big connector and the solenoid is being energized (meter in parallel) your solenoid is bad.  Go back through the replies and see if you get voltage at 85? at the relay key on, starter button pressed.  If so, the ignition and starter switches are good.  If you get battery voltage at the white connector, if I remember correctly, red/black wire with the key on, starter button pressed and the ground wire from that connector to ground is good your solenoid is being energized.  Do keep in mind, new does not mean good.  If you take the relay out, apply voltage to 85 and ground 86 with an ohmmeter connected between 30 and 87 you should read continuity.

You also want a manual with a wiring diagram.  Here is one:  http://www.haynes.com/products/productID/925  or  http://www.haynes.com/products/sfID1/8/sfID2/9/sfID3/84  (I'm sure the printed one can be found cheaper elsewhere)  This should be good for everything except your engine.  You might also find an OEM service manual on line.

Another thing to consider is getting your bike to a good shop.  Trying to fix it over the internet can take a long time time and mistakes can be expensive.  It took me oh, probably about 30 years that sometimes paying someone else to do it is a good alternative.  




ducpainter

I have a factory diagram...

Monster wiring by nh_painter, on Flickr

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samuraibiker

hey howie

no buzzing relay.... i changed the main relay and have 2 spare and none of them buzz with the new battery

meter in parallel is giving me a 12.9 volt reading across the terminals of the starter solenoid

do agree with yr advice... if it isnt the switch then it is going to the shop...and there lies the problem... the official Ducati shop in Osaka, Minoh are absolute twats... it took them 6 weeks to fix an ignition pick up last time.... and in japan, not many bike shops will touch ducati.... so i really really do need to find a competent one!

monster 400 evolving into a 900; vespa px150, vespa gs 150, suzuki grasstracker 250 60s custom tracker, honda cbr1000rr

koko64

I may have missed it, but did you bridge the starter solenoid terminals to see if it activates the starter motor? Just because you get voltage there doesnt mean it operates correctly. You might hear a click, but it might not "click enough" if you get my drift. If you have tried this sorry mate.
2015 Scrambler 800

koko64

#21
You dont want to pull the airbox which is understandable.
You can apply Howie's wisdom if you are careful...
Take the battery out and sit it on a stool next to the bike. Run remote cables from the battery cables to the battery. Wrap the connecting nuts and bolts in insulation tape just to avoid shorts. Double and triple check before you commit. Dont mix up + and -. A customer recently did that jump starting his bike off a running 4x4 and blew his starter and regulator. Careful now... No shorts..
You now have power and can access the solenoid under the battery box.  Remove the battery box rubber to improve access. Get a small wrench and wrap it in insulation tape except for the tips of the prongs at one end. Peel back the rubber boots on the solenoid and bridge the two main cables at the solenoid with the wrench prongs. Dont touch anything else or zappo. Bridging the solenoid at the nuts that secure the cables will start the bike if that solenoid is suspect. It doesnt rule out the switch but it at least implicates the solenoid. If your spare switch does not work then its the solenoid.

You have to be careful doing this or you will blow fuses (at least).
Replacing the solenoid is fiddly but not technically difficult.


2015 Scrambler 800

koko64

If you dont trust the bike shops then call an auto electrician and tell them about the symptoms. Some even make house calls (for a price).
2015 Scrambler 800

samuraibiker

ok..bridged the solenoid as koko64 described... bike turned over ( but wouldnt start...hmm )

so it is definetely one of these

1. dodgy switch

2. dodgy solenoid

3. wiring trouble bewteen switch and solenoid

if it is number 2... do you have to remove the airbox? i have small hands ( like really small ) so would be possible to do without removing that monstrosity of an airbox?

getting there......slowly!

big thanks

mike
monster 400 evolving into a 900; vespa px150, vespa gs 150, suzuki grasstracker 250 60s custom tracker, honda cbr1000rr

Howie


samuraibiker

hey howie

thanks!

the starter solenoid is a yamaha, made in Japan. I live in Japan and jap bike parts are dirt cheap!!!

3 thumbs up!

mike
monster 400 evolving into a 900; vespa px150, vespa gs 150, suzuki grasstracker 250 60s custom tracker, honda cbr1000rr

samuraibiker

hey howie

just checked out a japanese bike parts site... zillions of relays... not all have detailed photos...some are rc18 , rc17 etc...what should i buy ( if i need to? )...price... $10 !
monster 400 evolving into a 900; vespa px150, vespa gs 150, suzuki grasstracker 250 60s custom tracker, honda cbr1000rr

koko64

The CCW relay says RC-18 on the sticker.
Your hand might fit under there.
2015 Scrambler 800

Howie

You will also need to modify the terminals on the relay.  The connectors are the difference.  Ca Cycleworks sells the terminal kit with the relay.  $10?  Go for it and modify!

tbyte

#29
On my starter solenoid the little plastic connector to the starter often comes loose.  When you had said you heard a click it threw me off.  Tonight when I went to start her my bike turned over then died.  When I hit the starter again I just got the click.  However I stuck my key in pressing the plastic connector to the solenoid and she started.  Try pressing it with a long screwdriver while hitting starter.  Might work.