97 GL1500 SE Won't start.

[Shortys86Aspencade]

Hello folks,
I need help. Rode my 1997 GL1500 Aspencade SE to work one day like normal. I didn't know it was going to rain. Well it rained terribly hard that afternoon. When I was done work and the rain had stopped I went to leave to go home and the bike wouldn't start. When I hit the starter button the starter kinda clunked and wouldn't turn over at all, as if the battery was dead, after trying to start it several times, even trying to jump start it from a car it wouldn't even turn over. Eventually all the normal relay and start solenoid clicking would stop. So I had to have it towed home. I thought maybe one of the start solenoids shorted out, so I replaced them and charged my battery. Now the relay and both solenoids click when I try to start it, but I get nothing from the starter. I replaced the starer, now the starter clunks and groans like it wants to start but wont turn over. Then I thought the battery must be bad and is to weak to turn the starter, so I replaced the battery. Still no change. When I pull the starter back out but have still hooked up it spins fine, but when it's back on the engine it tries but can't turn. I also noticed when I have my volt test meter on the battery, as soon as I turn the key on my voltage drops rapidly. I ran a test by pulling all the fuses and putting them back in one at a time. The ignition fuse, the headlamp fuse and one other fuse maybe the cruise control fuse all cause the voltage to drop rapidly when I turn the key on. Hoping one of you guy's with more experience have had similar issues and could give me some guidance.
Thanks,
Shorty

[Rambozo]

Sounds like the engine might be full of water. Pull the spark plugs out and then try to spin it over.

[MaineStreet]

Well it rained terribly hard that afternoon

Sounds like the engine might be full of water. Pull the spark plugs out and then try to spin it over.

Agreed. Sounds like a hydrolocked engine.

[MikeB]

... Then I thought the battery must be bad and is to weak to turn the starter, so I replaced the battery. Still no change.
...I also noticed when I have my volt test meter on the battery, as soon as I turn the key on my voltage drops rapidly.

It sounds like you installed a weak battery. The voltage will not fall rapidly with a good battery.

[FM-USA]

We had a deluge the other day, had the exact same issue as you did.
Thinking about it I went right for number four cylinder (it was easiest) pulled the plug spark. It was wet, smelled it, since it wasn't fuel I cranked it over & water spurted out. Replaced the spark plug & it cranked right up.
Haven't had a problem since.

From now on if weather predicts moderate or worse rain, it gets the bike cover.

.

[Charlie1Horse]

But, if it's been hydro locked you should change the oil as well. Some of that water could have gotten through the piston rings and into the crankcase.
Russell

[FM-USA]

But, if it's been hydro locked you should change the oil as well. Some of that water could have gotten through the piston rings and into the crankcase.
Russell

I checked my oil, it's free of H2o.

.

[Shortys86Aspencade]

So I pulled the plugs and hit the starter button and it turned right over. No water came out, put plugs back in, hit starter button and it still would not turn over. J umped the battery directly to the starter and the engine DID turn over. So, my thinking is something in between the battery and the starter is not letting enough voltage or amperage get to the starter to make it crank the engine. My next question to Scott (Admin) could it be a bad relay somewhere?
Asking for myself.
Shorty

[Rambozo]

There are two starter relays. Check voltage in and out of both of them while cranking. Also check ground path points while cranking. Often it can be a simple as loose, dirty, or corroded connections, or a burned relay.