GL1500 Starter issue....

[Mh434]

On occasion, my '97 GL1500SE will refuse to start with the starter button, even though the cables are clean & tight, AGM battery fully charged, etc. Push the button & just get a click. Do it several times & suddenly it will start right up like normal, and continue to do so for days on end. Or, it may refuse to start several times in a single day.

There seems to be no rhyme or reason to the timing of it - all temperatures, all weather, etc. seems irrelevant.

The starter button itself seems nice & free, and definitely not sticking.

I'm certain others have run into this. Anyone think of a likely culprit?

[gford]

Relay A ? just a thought

[ct1500]

Where is click coming from? When pushing the switch, headlight relay in relay box drops out, that is one click and normal.
When it will not start try pulling reverse lever up a little bit and back down a few times while keeping button pushed in. If still no start then the reverse switch/cabling is probably good and eliminates one possibility.

[Mh434]

Thanks, folks. I'll look into those ideas!

[WingAdmin]

Could be the contacts on either starter relay A or B. If the contacts are starting to pit and wear, you could get a closure where it arcs and partially (or completely) insulates (a click) one time, and a closure where it arcs and closes properly (a start) another. Eventually you'll get to a point where a contact will arc and weld shut, and the starter motor will run continously.

If all else checks out, and battery voltage is nominal, that's where I would be looking next.

[tsandvik]

Same type of issue was driving me nuts also. Took out the starter, which is a giant project in its own right, and opened it up.
Full of graphite dust. Brushes worn down. Put in new brushes and cleaned thoroughly. Has performed like a new starter ever since.
Be advised, the reinstall of the starter is a real tough job by itself. Be careful or you can really screw up your reverse gears. Read the manual carefully.