Hello all, this is my first time posting to a forum so I hope I get some help . I have a 1993 GL1500 Interstate. I just finished a trip though New Hampshire and Maine and all went great besides for a slight starting issue.
About 2 days into the trip after fueling up I go to start the bike and it won't turn over at all. I checked all the fuses and they are fine, when I press the starter button I hear a click from the relay box and battery seems to be full as well. All lights work and the headlight dims when I press the starter button. I ended up bump starting it and it ran great with no issues.
Can anyone please help me with this as I am not sure what the next steps should be? Has anyone experienced the same issue? Let me know. Thanks
GL1500 won't crank starter but runs no problem when bump started
- Rambozo
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- Motorcycle: 1992 GL1500 Aspencade
Ducati Monster
Re: GL1500 won't crank starter but runs no problem when bump started
Time to pull out a volt meter or test light. Should be a lot easier on an Interstate without all the reverse stuff.
Is the neutral light on?
Try with:
Sidestand up? (does sidestand light work?)
Clutch pulled?
There are a couple of diodes that will need testing in addition to the various switches.
Is the neutral light on?
Try with:
Sidestand up? (does sidestand light work?)
Clutch pulled?
There are a couple of diodes that will need testing in addition to the various switches.
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- Location: Spring valley New York
- Motorcycle: 1993 GL1500 Interstate
Re: GL1500 won't crank starter but runs no problem when bump started
Hello, thank you for the response. I tried with all that and it still didn't work. What do I have to test to see what's going on?
- Rambozo
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- Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2018 8:36 pm
- Location: Disneyland
- Motorcycle: 1992 GL1500 Aspencade
Ducati Monster
Re: GL1500 won't crank starter but runs no problem when bump started
Follow the power from the battery to the starter and find out where it stops.
If the main starter relay is clicking when you press the start button, you can eliminate a lot.
Test for power at the incoming screw post, then check the outgoing screw post when you press the button.
If the main starter relay is clicking when you press the start button, you can eliminate a lot.
Test for power at the incoming screw post, then check the outgoing screw post when you press the button.
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- Joined: Fri Jul 07, 2023 3:18 pm
- Location: Spring valley New York
- Motorcycle: 1993 GL1500 Interstate
Re: GL1500 won't crank starter but runs no problem when bump started
Ok thank you. When you say the incoming and outgoing screw post, are you talking about on the starter solenoid?
- Rambozo
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- Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2018 8:36 pm
- Location: Disneyland
- Motorcycle: 1992 GL1500 Aspencade
Ducati Monster
Re: GL1500 won't crank starter but runs no problem when bump started
Yes. Honda correctly calls it a relay or switch.
Many people call it a solenoid, but a true solenoid is mounted on the actual starter motor and pushes the gear out as well as powers the motor.
Even if yours is clicking, you have to test that it is actually switching. The contacts inside can become burned and not work even though it cycles.
Many people call it a solenoid, but a true solenoid is mounted on the actual starter motor and pushes the gear out as well as powers the motor.
Even if yours is clicking, you have to test that it is actually switching. The contacts inside can become burned and not work even though it cycles.
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- Posts: 5
- Joined: Fri Jul 07, 2023 3:18 pm
- Location: Spring valley New York
- Motorcycle: 1993 GL1500 Interstate
Re: GL1500 won't crank starter but runs no problem when bump started
Ok thank you. I will try that out when I have some time this week and will post back here the results in a few days. Thank you for the help!
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- Posts: 5
- Joined: Fri Jul 07, 2023 3:18 pm
- Location: Spring valley New York
- Motorcycle: 1993 GL1500 Interstate
Re: GL1500 won't crank starter but runs no problem when bump started
Hey, so is it necessary to still measure the voltage if I was able to start the bike up with a screwdriver by touching it to both sides of the main relay? Now that I see the starter spun and bike started when I did that. Does it mean that the issue is forsure the main relay?
Rambozo wrote: ↑Sun Jul 09, 2023 8:20 pm Yes. Honda correctly calls it a relay or switch.
Many people call it a solenoid, but a true solenoid is mounted on the actual starter motor and pushes the gear out as well as powers the motor.
Even if yours is clicking, you have to test that it is actually switching. The contacts inside can become burned and not work even though it cycles.