Engine not cranking.

[keswing]

I reversed my 1989 GL1500 into the garage over 3 months ago and have been working on the bike, reconditioning it. I drained the coolant 2 weeks ago, so that I could replace the timing belts. Today I filled the radiators with distilled water and flushing agent, but when I came to start the bike I got nothing at all, not even clicks from relays. I'd charged the battery ready for starting the engine. I also made sure the kill switch was in the run position.

When I switch the ignition on, the Reverse light shows and then goes out, but the neutral light doesn't come on, even though the bike is in neutral. I read on the forum that if the reverse switch is faulty and the bike thinks it's in reverse, then the engine won't crank. I also read that if you wiggle the reverse lever it sometimes will reset the reverse switch. I've tried this but to no avail.

One other thing, when I switch the ignition on, the Clock/Audio System Display is showing a left arrow. I cannot find any reference to this in the Owner's Manual. This arrow is displayed when the Audio System is switched off, so I don't think the arrow is connected to the Audio System.

[Jonbarking3]

I have NOT had the problem you are having but maybe the pages from my Honda Service Manual can give your some ideas to check out until someone can help you. Good Luck.

[WingsandThings]

Try rolling the bike ahead and then shifting into first or second. Then try going back into neutral. You should get athe neutral light then.

[Charlie1Horse]

Kickstand up or down? It won't crank with the kickstand down.
Russell

[MaineStreet]

Try the kickstand up and the clutch lever pulled in. If it starts, pull forward a bit and put into neutral.

[keswing]

Thanks for your responses. The bike doesn't have a kickstand as it's attached to a sidecar.

[keswing]

Managed to get the neutral light on, but starter solonoid still not clicking when start button pressed.

[WingsandThings]

How did you get the neutral light back on?

Are you sure the reverse lever is returned all the way back down and is pushed in?

The arrow is probably a directional arrow for the auto reverse cassette. I dont think it should be on if the stereo is switched off though,, is there a cassette in the player?

[keswing]

Problem solved!!! I'd installed the Bank Angle Sensor upside down. In this position the starter/reverse motor will not turn over.

To get back to neutral, I put the bike into 2nd gear with the engine off and pushed the bike forward.

Thanks all who responded.

[WingAdmin]

Problem solved!!! I'd installed the Bank Angle Sensor upside down. In this position the starter/reverse motor will not turn over.

To get back to neutral, I put the bike into 2nd gear with the engine off and pushed the bike forward.

Thanks all who responded.

That will do it! With a sidecar, I'd strongly suggest you bypass/remove the bank angle sensor entirely. It's possible for you to corner hard enough to activate it, which would shut your engine off mid-corner - not a great thing to happen. Same recommendation for trikes.

[Jonbarking3]

That's great
Glad you were able to fix.