80 gl1100 not enough power


Information and questions on GL1100 Goldwings (1980-1983)
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Lhoward933
Posts: 5
Joined: Wed Feb 09, 2022 3:54 am
Location: Villa Grove Illinois
Motorcycle: 1980 GL1100A

80 gl1100 not enough power

Post by Lhoward933 »



I believe I'm not getting enough power to turn starter to start bike. New battery fully charged, new spark plugs,fuel and fuses. I'm lost could use information on why no power. Later will try to share video with sound from starter.
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Rambozo
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Location: Disneyland
Motorcycle: 1992 GL1500 Aspencade
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Re: 80 gl1100 not enough power

Post by Rambozo »

Measure the voltage at the battery and then at the starter, while cranking.
Measure the current if you are able to.
Lhoward933
Posts: 5
Joined: Wed Feb 09, 2022 3:54 am
Location: Villa Grove Illinois
Motorcycle: 1980 GL1100A

Re: 80 gl1100 not enough power

Post by Lhoward933 »

The voltage on battery goes from 12 or 13 down to 9.5 when I hit start button. Couldn't get reading from starter.
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WingAdmin
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Location: Strongsville, OH
Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500 SE
1982 GL1100A Aspencade (sold)
1989 PC800 (sold)
1998 XV250 Virago (sold)
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Re: 80 gl1100 not enough power

Post by WingAdmin »

Assuming the new battery is fine (not always a given), this likely means there is a problem with the starter itself.

You could try using some jumper cables to hook a known good battery in parallel with your bike's battery, and see if the bike cranks. If it does, it points to the battery being bad. If it still doesn't, then I'd start looking at the starter as being the cause of the problem.
Lhoward933
Posts: 5
Joined: Wed Feb 09, 2022 3:54 am
Location: Villa Grove Illinois
Motorcycle: 1980 GL1100A

Re: 80 gl1100 not enough power

Post by Lhoward933 »

I have a video of the sound it makes but don't know how to post it.
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WingAdmin
Site Admin
Posts: 23881
Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2008 4:16 pm
Location: Strongsville, OH
Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500 SE
1982 GL1100A Aspencade (sold)
1989 PC800 (sold)
1998 XV250 Virago (sold)
2012 Suzuki Burgman 400 (wife's!)
2007 Aspen Sentry Trailer
Contact:

Re: 80 gl1100 not enough power

Post by WingAdmin »

I wonder if the engine is hydrolocked? Try removing the spark plugs, and cranking the engine (with the ignition turned OFF!).


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