Re: My 1985 Goldwing won't start.

wolf9553 · Post by **wolf9553** » Sun Aug 20, 2017 12:31 pm

Hello to all, and hopefully some one on this board can help me.
I own a 85 GL1200L, which I have been using as my daily driver for the last 3 years. During that time I have been fortunate to find answers to my maintenance and upkeep on this forum. Thanks to all in for your assistance.
My bike was cutting out and stalling at lights and every once in a while lt just die while going down the road, somewhat discerning. I figured it was fuel pump/ relay issue because during the winter while it was idle, I did a tune up, and changed all the filters, and replaced all the plugs, and did some upgrades in the lights(put less in place).
When I started using it to go to work again it was running fine for a few weeks but started running sluggish and stalling out again.
I thought about it and was able to find fuel injectors (again thanks to this forum). I replaced those and it ran fine for a while again.
One day at work it refused to start to get me home so I had to have my wife pick me up. The next day I rode my wife's Silverwing to work. Just on a whim, I started the Goldwing with no problem. I rode it home that night, then had my wife drop me off at work the next day so I could bring her bike back home.
I checked everything out again and figured the fuel pump might be the intermittent problem. Again I searched the forum and came up with a new fuel pump. Now the new Fuel pump is installed. I started it and it ran for about 5 minutes before it stopped running again. Now I can't get it to restart
I checked out they relay by swapping out with another, again it didn't work. I checked the power to the pump and it is present during the startup cycle, but the pump does not run. Just to verify I ran a ground jumper and the pump ran during the starting cycle, however the bike didn't start. I pulled a spark plug wire and checked for spark during the startup cycle, no spark. I'm wondering if there is a sensor in the system that cuts out the fuel system and ignition as well, and if so where is it?
I would appreciate any and all help. My Haynes manual for the Standard models doesn't provide any information on my Limited, so I m at my wits end at this time.

Charlie1Horse · Post by **Charlie1Horse** » Sun Aug 20, 2017 5:00 pm

I am not too sure about the 1200 but on my 1500 years and miles of vibration at the handlebars caused the two terminals under the kill switch to loosen and then there was no spark or fuel. Tightened these terminals and no problem.Its easy to check, only two screws under the switch housing and lift off the kill switch. I don't have my 1200 manual here at home for reference but it is an easy item to check. My 1500 just died on the side of the road and had to be towed home for an easy 5 minute fix. Wish I'd known that on the side of the road.
Russell

Those who say it cannot be done should try not to interrupt those who are doing it.

wolf9553 · Post by **wolf9553** » Mon Aug 21, 2017 8:20 am

Charlie1Horse thank you for your response.
Alright, a possibility that I hadn't thought of. Will give that a look sometime this week, when I get a chance. Will post results. Thanks for the input.

virgilmobile · Post by **virgilmobile** » Mon Aug 21, 2017 8:57 am

It is true that the need for spark operates the fuel pump.A safety feature.No spark,no fuel.
Loss of spark is your first suspect.
Either loss of power to the ignition or pulses from the pulse coil(s).
When its not sparkin,probe the power wire feeding the ignition module.
Also suspect the pulse coil connector plug for corrosion and last is a thermal pulse coil.

Vo1980 · Post by **Vo1980** » Mon Jun 17, 2019 5:22 pm

I am not an owner yet, I am looking to buy an 85 gl 1200 from a friend. He had it running a couple a weeks ago tried to start it a couple of days later nothing. The lights dim when trying to start. He put a ne battery, starter, solenoid and no crank over. What could be the problem? Volt meter shows 10.6 on digital readout on bike dash.

virgilmobile · Post by **virgilmobile** » Mon Jun 17, 2019 6:36 pm

Bad battery or corroded cable connections

Vo1980 · Post by **Vo1980** » Mon Jun 17, 2019 7:13 pm

The connection on battery looks good, should I check solenoid connections and then starter?

Vo1980 · Post by **Vo1980** » Mon Jun 17, 2019 7:14 pm

Brand new battery as of 2 weeks ago

virgilmobile · Post by **virgilmobile** » Mon Jun 17, 2019 9:14 pm

Measure battery volts with the key on.It should stay at or above 12 volts.
And stay above 11 volts while cranking.

Vo1980 · Post by **Vo1980** » Tue Jun 18, 2019 5:51 am

He put a battery tender on it last night I am hoping it was just a low battery. I am going to check voltage when I get there tonight to help work on it. I really want this bike. So I hope this is the problem.

Vo1980 · Post by **Vo1980** » Wed Jun 19, 2019 10:00 pm

So I am 99% sure it's the starter. 12.6 volt out of battery, solenoid, and to the starter. Tried jumping the starter nothing. I try to start it and the casing of starter is warm to touch. Put bike in 5th gear spun back tire and the engine turns over, so that eliminates hydro lock. So my question now is. Will a start rebuild kit solve problem? Or should I buy new starter?

DenverWinger · Post by **DenverWinger** » Thu Jun 20, 2019 5:45 am

I'd open up the starter to see what it needs. Usually just a set of brushes will work wonders. Also check the planetary gears in the starter nose.

gold85 · Post by **gold85** » Thu Dec 24, 2020 2:57 am

Does anyone know of a motorcycle mechanic located in San Diego? My 85 Honda Goldwing Aspencade Trike wont start (it will not turnover) after sitting for 6 mos or more. I have purchased a new battery and had a new starter put on the bike before I had it sitting.

DenverWinger · Post by **DenverWinger** » Thu Dec 24, 2020 9:20 am

Gold85, Welcome to the forum, I see this is your first post. You should start a new thread for your problem....

After sitting 6 months, what's the state of charge on the battery? Do you use a battery tender?

It's possible there was some fuel leakage in 6 months and the engine is hydrolocked. Remove all four sparkplugs and put a shop rag over the sparkplug holes, then see if it will crank with the sparkplugs out. If it was hydrolocked fuel will come shooting out of one of the sparkplug holes when you crank the engine.