Starter solenoid or am I just doing something dumb?

[MaineStreet]

A new to me 1999 GL1500 SE. New as of a few months ago. Ad said 'meticulously maintained' and the plastics looked great! However, as I dig in, I'm realizing that one person's meticulous is another's mediocre (at best). That's okay. It was a good price and I'm not afraid to dig in.

In addition to other items, I knew the battery needed to be replaced. Picked up a motobat AGM and made sure it was fully charged. Installed on the bike, put the key in to on, put the.kill switch to center and hit the start button. Headlights dropped out, but no crank. No solenoid click either. It was in neutral and on center stand with the side stand down. Pulled in clutch, with same outcome - no crank and no solenoid click.

Am I doing (or not doing ) something, or is it a bad starter solenoid, or something else? I have started the bike since I've owned it, but after working on it a bit, it would not surprise me if additional parts need relpacing.

Any thoughts on troubleshooting or links to same are greatly appreciated.

[Andy Cote]

While WINGADMIN had great results with his, I had a bad experience with the MOTOBATT I purchased at Ed's Batteries in Westbrook. The GL1500 is very particular about battery for starting. Yours is probably fine but I would first try using a car battery just sitting on a box next to the bike.

Without my book in front of me, I can't tell you which fuses and relays to test. Someone will be along shortly or I'll dig out the book when I get out in the garage.

[MaineStreet]

Thanks, Andy. You're right about the battery. We did try a jump pack, which I'd used 2 weeks before with the old battery, but that didn't do it (it did work 2 weeks before). I haven't been back to the bike, but I've got a list of fuses ,levers, and relays to check. It's interesting that we didn't hear solenoid A activating. If I recall the wiring diagram correctly, it could be the reverse switch not seating closed, a fuse, or the relay. I'll bring a VOM and some jumper wires and see what I can figure out. I have a few relays and dog bone fuses coming in the meanwhile. Thanks again!

[Megreenusmc1969]

As someone who chased things for 2 years and a couple of thousand dollars, my first question would be if you have the cruise button pushed in and if the cruise control light comes on when it does not start? Mine turned out to be the BAS (Bank Angle Sensor). The former owner did a bypass, but did not get the wires connecting well, so it would go in and out. It is just under the seat, would have been a free fix for me, but I tried a lot of the more expensive items first. Good luck getting her running.

[MaineStreet]

My cruise control button IS stuck in! I have contact cleaner and will clean it to see if that's the culprit. Being a new bike to me, of course I pressed buttons, and that one (maybe more) did not come.back out. Thanks for that tip, but I'm sorry it came at the expense of your time and wallet contents.

[Rambozo]

It should still start with the cruise switched on or off. But check that the cruise light is on when the cruise button is depressed. If it isn't, you might cycle the kill switch a few times as it might have an issue and it will turn off the cruise light when in the stop position.

[MaineStreet]

Okay, got the bike running (and quite nicely). Solenoid A was clicking. Checked ( removed and reinstalled fuse 5A) and also the 30 A fuse next to Solenoid A. I also took apart my handlebar switch boxes and cleaned all the switched. Now the cruise control button pops back out. Put it all back together and she cranked over, fired and ran.

Put most everything back and took it for a short ride - maiden voyage. I'm not done yet, but I loved the ride and comfort. That says a lot because it was 38 and drizzling. Kept very well protected with all that plastic. Even cranked some tunes.

Thanks for the assist, all!

Enjoy!