No Spark at plugs when turning over, no click on solenoid

[gegolden]

I inherited my Uncle's old 1200 Aspencade. It has sat for over 15 years after he parked it when it wouldn't start. I am slowly cleaning it and trying to rebuild it. My main issue is this: When I turn the key on, the dash lights come on, neutral light and headlight. When I press the start button the headlight dims but no click at the solenoid. I troubleshot the solenoid and when on the bench it will click when 12v applied at the terminals and shows engagement across the B and M leads. When back on the bike nothing. The clutch switch tests ok using a ohm meter, the kill switch tests ok I think. Ohm meter shows closed on normal and not closed on kill. The start button seems to be OK visually. However when start button pressed, headlight dims, no click and nothing. The starter will turn the engine over very well when hooked directly to battery or solenoid shorted across the B and M terminals. What am I missing on eliminating the issue with no click at the solenoid using the start button? Can you point me in the right direction? Thanks

Greg

[virgilmobile]

Isolate the problem by using a test light or volt meter.Battery ground.Probe each of the 2 small wires on the solenoid that make it click.Ome at a time.
When pushing the start button one should show 12 volts and the other zero volts.
If there's no volts,suspect the start button.If there's volts on both,you have a neutral ground problem.
Let us know what you get and we can guide from there.

[gegolden]

I will report back tomorrow. Thank you

[skier]

One further comment: When the start button is pushed, the headlight should go out not just dim. Assuming the wiring in that part of the harness is still in its original configuration, something is not quite right there. Maybe a ground problem or dirty connections. Virgil is very good, listen to him for good advice. Members can help you with questions about specific areas of the wiring, but a schematic for the bike is very helpful.

[gegolden]

OK, I checked and re-checked per your instructions here is what I found. When start button pressed the headlight does go out. I had just thought it dimmed but my son validated it goes off. As for the voltage on the starter relay. I can not get any voltage indication on the 2 poles when I have the start button pressed. So, am I to understand that it must be the start button? Is there anyway to short at the start button to validate? I noticed when I took the area apart there seems to be solder points on the button. Thank you both for your help I really appreciate it. I feel I am much farther along than I was.

[virgilmobile]

I'll look at the schematic for color codes but yes,the start button (as far as I recall) has 3 wires going to it.A hot wire that feeds through the switch to the lights and when pushed it feeds to the starter solenoid.
Gimme a few minutes to get the info.

[virgilmobile]

Ok.Both at the starter solenoid and push to start switch the wire is "yellow/red".
It should have volts when the key is on and the button pushed.the common 12 volts that feeds the switch is "black".
Jump those two and it should crank.

[gegolden]

Understand. I will check it out and report. Thanks again for your help and time.

[gegolden]

Ok I tested it. Good news and bad news. The good news is when I pressed the start button and jumped the wires I heard the starter relay click. I hooked the starter cable back up and tried it again. The bad news. The starter briefly turned. Then nothing. The headlight now stays off when I apply 12v again whether or not the button is depressed and I can not duplicate the event. Must be a fuse blown which I am checking now. So, by all accounts the start button is defective. I will look for a replacement. OBTW, when I apply 12v I here a click up by the dash but no headlight. I will report back on what I find with the fuses.

Thank you again.

[gegolden]

Yes, Headlight fuse was blown. Replaced it and it works, but not trying jumping the start switch again. I will replace the start button before continuing my issue with no spark when turning the engine over with the starter. Now that I know the start button is defective (thanks to your assistance). May I ask the next question. Would one expect spark at the plugs when the ignition is on and shorting across B and M to engage starter? Or is there another gremlin yet not found that prevents the spark using this method? The kill switch and clutch switch test OK.

[virgilmobile]

Yes if the ignition coils have volts..eg key on.

[virgilmobile]

Ignition switched power feeds the kill switch..it feeds the ignition coils...