1986 Goldwing Aspencade 1200 won't crank

[JayPoorJay]

Good Morning all...

It's been a while since I posted. Not because all's been smooth sailing, but for reasons, working on this project needed to be put off a while. I won't write a long story but try to cut to the chase...

The bike started and ran well at the end of the summer early fall last year. New starter and not much else was installed last season.

I went to the bike yesterday with new battery, and a jumper just in case. Put the battery in, hit the choke, hit the start button and she fired right up. I let her run a while to warm and as she warmed up, I eased off the choke, idle came down to just under 900. At first there was some popping an bogging at throttle turn,,, for the most part that cleared up.

I moved the bike to the street, I'll have some bleeding of clutch and brakes to do. Turned it off, and started it again for good measure. Everything fine. Turned off again.

Here's the THING. I took a hose being careful where I shot water. Just a light dust rinse with the hose and a cloth for now. Finished that and no crank. All I get is a click from the starter solenoid when I hit the start button. It doesn't sound like the starter want to do anything like engage at all. Like nothing from starter.

I didn't have my volt meter (NYC so bike is not at my home but a aways away)or a good way to test if 12v was making it to the starter. Checked fuses, all looked good. I didn't check the solenoid fuse...

What now? What did I do? I swear I can be my own biggest trouble make-ah...

I'll BE SUPER grateful for any help and suggestions y'all are willing to offer...

[joecoolsuncle]

very first thing i would do. pull spark plugs and see if she spins. do not look into the plug holes or you will get eye damage!

[DenverWinger]

One easy test you can do is simply jump across the two main start relay terminals with a screwdriver. If the starter cranks the engine when you do that, pretty certain the culprit is the relay.

[JayPoorJay]

very first thing i would do. pull spark plugs and see if she spins. do not look into the plug holes or you will get eye damage!

Thanks Joe... Will do. Will most likely tomorrow after work... Thanks for this...

[JayPoorJay]

One easy test you can do is simply jump across the two main start relay terminals with a screwdriver. If the starter cranks the engine when you do that, pretty certain the culprit is the relay.

Right on, Denver. I think I did that. Think I did.

At the top of the clicking solenoid are two posts with nuts on them. I bridged them with a screwdriver while holding my hand on the starter. No clicks or signs - not even warm. Moments before the starter spun strong and is a new bit. I'm all sorts of puzzled.

Did I do damage with the water somehow? Everything seems pretty impervious to water around where I was washing things up. I was trying to be careful.

[DenverWinger]

Water shouldn't have bothered the starter any. But no results from bridging the terminals on the relay points to starter problem.

You might give the starter a couple whacks with your screwdriver handle to see if that does anything, but it sounds like time to get out the voltmeter and other tools and do some real testing.

[joecoolsuncle]

i was trying to point toward the possibility of hydro lock, which is why i recommended pulling plugs BEFORE trying to jumper solenoid, or gronds. you wouldnt want the starter to work if the piston is trying to compress water. my bike has locked several times after washing, after a rain. it is easy , and even easier if the drain holes are plugged in the heads.

[JayPoorJay]

Good Morning, Y'all.
Thanks for all of your help and suggestions...!

I found the issue. Lol,,, made me angry.

I went up to the bike and removed the plugs. I really thought that might be it. Nope. Still, button was dead. Proceeded to remove the LH down pipes and gear shift. Removed the starter and bench tested. Nope! Opened the starter on the hood of my car and noticed this wire/electrode just sticking out, homeless. Looked a little closer to find the factory eyelet had just snapped off. The starter is/was NEW essentially - 15 starts, 20 max at the end of last season.

I took it home and soldered in a new eyelet hoping (and will continue to hope) it will hold. I hate these kinds of "fixes" because from here on out I will be in doubt. SMH. What's going on with quality, in the 21st century?

The part came from DB Electrical. Bought January 2021. I wrote them a well crafted letter that implied that if they didn't honor and stand by there product I would let the WHOLE WORLD know. Lol,,, let's see what they do...

I heat shrank the lead for the new eyelet, bench tested and so far so good. Fingers crossed.

Thank you allllllllllll for you suggestions and guidance. I really do love these forums. GF, GD, Jaguar forums, Bad Caps, Rennlist etc... Saves the day often and a lot...

Safe driving, Y'all!

[DenverWinger]

Nothing like Success!

[joecoolsuncle]

glad you got it going for only a little time invested. shame about that starter. hopefully it will last many more years.