1988 gl 1500not starting

[todd61162]

Hello i havent been on in awhile but i was trying to see what the problem is with my gl 1500 not starting. I hear a clicking from the starter relay, but it does not turn over i have aslo tried putting power directly to the starter and it will not turn over. i had the battery checked and they said it was good so would it be the starter that is bad?
Thanks Todd 61162

[Swagonmaster]

IF you went directly to the starter WITH a decent size wire AND a properly charged battery (don't be afraid to use a battery other than the one on the bike) then I suspect that you are due for a trip to your starter/alternator repair shop or to buy a new starter. Having said that make sure that your ground wire and connection is up to snuff which you could verify by using a battery jumper cable set and jumper both hot and ground which would bypass any wiring problems on the bike.
Wish you the best,
Bob

[todd61162]

Thank you Swagonmaster i was afraid of that

[Charlie1Horse]

I find, on cars and trucks) that the problem with starters is usually the brushes get stuck or dirty from the brush wear and then there is no contact with the armature. Try tapping on the starter while you are pressing the start button and if that is the problem it should start but, if it works it will only start a couple of times that way. It can jar the brushes and springs to make contact for a few starts. This doesn't always work but, I have helped quite a few people get started and home in years past. If this works, you can sometimes take the starter apart and clean it out. If the brushes are not completely worn out you possibly put it back to work for a while but, I wouldn't use it for a very long time while finding a new/rebuilt one.
Russell

[todd61162]

Does anyone know where you can get a rebuild kit or brushes for the starter

[WingsandThings]

I have never personally delt with them, but there name comes up from time to time

https://ricksmotorsportelectrics.com/results/

[ct1500]

Not so fast. The starter on the '88 machines is not typical of conventional ones where the ground is the starter case hence grounding to the engine block. The positive wire comes from starter relay A. The starter has a separate and equally sized ground wire out of it and the ground to activate starter is done by starter relay B. Just applying voltage to the positive side starter cable will do nothing until and unless relay B is closed completing the ground circuit.

[todd61162]

Thanks for the info , I took the starter apart and it was very dirty with black dust I cleaned it up and the brushes are not wore clean out so I don't know if I can reuse them or replace them