Starter Solenoid. Had it on the 1200 Forum No answer

[Doc H]

Two questions.... is there any reliable aftermarket solenoid for the GL1200? Second... Has any one changed the solenoid for the 4 post FORD solenoid like what many... including me... has done with the GL1100? I am simply guessing same principle applies... not my bike... it's a buddies I am helping with and I would dislike screwing it up for him. Thanks Doc.

[Rednaxs60]

I have had an aftermarket offshore starter solenoid on my '85 Limited Edition for the past four years, works fine - cost $20.00 CDN - check on eBay.
Just about any starter solenoid will work if you can find a place to mount it.

[Doc H]

Thank you brother. Just double checking... could not see any reason after reviewing the electrical diagram. Normally they seem to hold up. This bike has sat.... I am pretty sure.... only 12,000 miles on it. The first eBay solenoid failed. I have used the Ford and the universal for lawn tractors. Just had not had any reason for a number of years to repeat this repair. Thanks again Doc

[Rednaxs60]

QC/QA of these items is not the best. Have the same issue with the throttle position sensor for my '85 Limited Edition FI model. QA/QC of the TPS is at the bottom of the food chain for a part that is one of the key elements in keeping the engine operating properly, same for an auto TPS. Have used a new aftermarket TPS that was no good at install. Installed another new aftermarket TPS (same make/model) and all was good - go figure.

[Doc H]

This is a beautiful bike. No real ware all looks good dry stored. Hopefully we can make it work. See what secondary problems creep up. This is the start. it has an after market solenoid, No power through the relay. Does test bad. I have not figured out the flashing radio. The digital tuner display.... just flashes all the time. I would guess this might be the start of the secondary issues....

[Rednaxs60]

There should be a yellow/red and green/red wire on the solenoid. The yellow/red wire is from the start button and the green/red wire goes to ground through a clutch diode. You can test the circuit by taking the yellow/red wire directly to ground on the green/red wire through a test light. Turn the key on, push the start button, test light should come on. If not, connect the yellow/red wire to the battery ground and test. If light comes on, the clutch diode has probably failed.

You can test the circuit on the starter solenoid by removing the green/red wire and replacing it with a temporary ground wire to the battery. Maybe the solenoid will work.

The circuit is similar to this schematic:

Good luck.

[Doc H]

Rednaxs60 Thank you ever so much.... we will jump on this I hope yet this week!!!! Doc

[dummysales]

Gentlemen:

I've followed along on this thread as I'm working on my 83 Aspy 1100 with a "no go" starter situation.
What I know:
the battery carries 12.4 volts after sitting for three months
I've soldered the 3 yellow wires (not much of a solderer, but hey)
continuity through ignition switch and starter button good all the way to solenoid connector
dash lights come on and the green neutral light shines
The left handlebar switch: the green/red wire and green wire have continuity when the clutch lever is pulled
I've performed the green/red wire test and apparently the diode is shot. Where the heck is the diode and how do I identify it?

At this point I am assuming it is in the green/red wire somewhere between the solenoid and the headlight/weight wiring basket. I saw one photo of a square box type diode under the air cleaner. Nothing close to that on my bike. Another showed an in-line diode but didn't specify where it was.

Do you have a photo showing the detail of where it is? Oh, and I don't see any diode on the wiring diagram of the service manual associated with the green/red wire.

Waj