Starter won't spin motor

[gwfireman]

Hello out there,
I am new to the site but hope to be an active member. I have purchased a 1984 aspencade 1200. It has been sitting outside for a little over a year according to the previous owner but was apparently running when parked. I got it home and hooked up my jump box. everything lit up but when I hit the starter and everything resets. The relay is working and I have pulled the starter and rebuilt it, It spins fine out of the bike. I also pulled the plugs and rolled the bike in gear to make sure that the motor wasn't locked up. Any Ideas on what I should check next would be greatly appreciated.

[virgilmobile]

A "jump box" generally will not start a bike with a dead battery.The cables from it are just too small.Its suppose to be able to add a bit of power to a weak battery,not replace it.
Not convinced?
Compare the size and length of starter cables on the bike to your "jump box".
The bike uses,maybe 2 foot of #2 wire.
I'll bet your jump box has 2 lengths (6 feet) of #10 wire at best.
You just can't get that kind of power from those wires.
Also be aware of corrosion at the ends of the bikes cables.Especially on the frame.

[tom84std]

I agree with you 100% Virgil. Those jumpstart gizmos are great to boost a weak battery, but weren't meant to jump a totally dead one. However, I saw this a couple of days ago and said to myself "Hmmm....."



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[gwfireman]

The battery on the bike is totally dead. but the Box i am using is a 600 amp box with approx 2 ft leads that are #8 wire. I even bypassed the battery and connected the box directly to the starter, though the ground was still connected to the battery. I've been thinking today that possibly the ground wire is not in good condition wherever it attaches to the frame/engine, and not letting the proper amperage get through. i suppose my next step should be to get a new battery and trace those wires down.

[HawkeyeGL1200]

I would remove and clean as many connections as you can trace out, starting at the battery... I agree that it sounds like you've got a ground problem. Also check your solenoid to see if the fuse there is making up correctly. It's a hunting expedition until you locate the poor connection. It could be on the hot side of the battery just as easily as the negative side.

I use a stainless steel brush, scotch-brite pads and a little dielectric grease on the connections when I put them together.

[gwfireman]

Thanks! I'm going to clean all the wiring connections and put in a new battery on my next day off and hopefully that will get me spinning. Then it's on to cleaning the gas tank and carbs.