2005 GL1800


Information and questions on GL1800 Goldwings (2001-2017)
Post Reply
tbrake
Posts: 7
Joined: Mon May 29, 2017 7:07 pm
Location: Summertown,Tennessee
Motorcycle: 2005 GL1800

2005 GL1800

Post by tbrake »



I had an issue arise a couple of weeks ago that has me baffled. I went with friends on a ride, nothing out of the ordinary came back home and parked it. I went out a couple of days later to go for a ride and it would not start. I have all lights, radio and things. It will not turn over at all. When i hit the starter the lights go out like they always do but there is not start. The kill switch is not on, the stand light is not on, the stands were not down when i tried, I tried clutch,no clutch. switching the kill switch back on and off. It has never offered to drag or slow start at all. I'm at a loss guys. I would appreciate any help available.


User avatar
Viking
Posts: 3760
Joined: Wed Sep 29, 2010 6:59 pm
Location: North Bay, Ontario, Canada
Motorcycle: 2009 GL1800 AD
1987 Harley Softail Custom
1974 Harley FLH (sold)
1965 Harley FLHE (sold)
1957 Harley Chopper (sold)

Re: 2005 GL1800

Post by Viking »

Put a meter on your battery. That is the first thing to check when your bike will not start, just immediately after the kill switch. I have not had it happen to me yet, but have read of it as many times as I have read about a no start. You can boost it to make sure, but do this carefully. You should have 12.7 volts at the battery when you meter it, and it should not go below about 11.5, I think when you hit the starter. If it goes below 11 Volts, your bike will not start, and may not even turn over. If you get it started, meter it again and it should show at least 13.7 while running, and higher if you get the meter on it quickly enough after starting. This will verify the charging system is not at fault. But back to the no start, good chance it is the battery.
It ain't about the destination - it's all about the journey

Image
tbrake
Posts: 7
Joined: Mon May 29, 2017 7:07 pm
Location: Summertown,Tennessee
Motorcycle: 2005 GL1800

Re: 2005 GL1800

Post by tbrake »

I will look into that for sure, although the battery I think is pretty well charged I will give it a check. It tries to start like the battery has 0 charge but everything else functions.
User avatar
thrasherg
Posts: 2123
Joined: Tue Oct 20, 2009 11:21 am
Location: Plano, TX
Motorcycle: 2017 Yamaha FZ07, 2015 Yamaha Super Tenere ES, 2005 Honda Shadow 750, CRF450X, CRF230, CRF250X, XR200, CR500, Gas Gas TXT200

Re: 2005 GL1800

Post by thrasherg »

the battery on my wing failed suddenly 2 weeks ago with the same symptoms as yours. If I turn the ignition key on, everything lights up and my voltmeter on the dash says all the voltages are good, but when I press the starter button everything turns off (as it's meant to) but the starter makes no attempt to turn and I cant hear the starter relay operate. fortunately I broke down outside a honda dealership and they load tested the battery and a cell inside the battery had gone partially open circuit. The battery was capable of providing 12 volts if the current drain was less than a few amps, but as soon as the starter motor tried to pull any current the cell went open circuit and the volts dropped to zero!! The clock kept resetting every time I pressed the starter button!! They put a new battery in ($140) and everything ran great, they also checked the alternator and it was good, the battery was 6 years old and they say it just failed from old age!! You might have a similar problem. As stated the solution is to load test the battery or put a voltmeter on the battery terminals and then press the starter button and check the battery voltage whilst the start button is pushed!! Need to make sure the battery is fully charged before performing these tests!!

Best of luck finding the cause.

Gary
billbob
Posts: 257
Joined: Tue Jul 08, 2014 8:30 pm
Location: columbia tennessee
Motorcycle: 2005 Honda gl1800 goldwing

Re: 2005 GL1800

Post by billbob »

Sounds like battery,JMO.
User avatar
Big Blue UK
Posts: 606
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2013 2:18 pm
Location: Staffordshire UK
Motorcycle: GL1800 Monarch

Re: 2005 GL1800

Post by Big Blue UK »

I am assuming your battery is ok, if so It may very well be your starter switch, the lights will go out regardless, because the starter switches the lights off when it closes the starter circuit.
You need to find the wire that goes from the starter switch to the starter, and check it for 12v when the starter is depressed.
If said wire reads 0v, then you have 3 options.
Replace the switch assembly.
Mess about fixing it.
or a guaranteed fix for a few quid as I did
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=33391
If at first you don't succeed, hide the evidence.
tbrake
Posts: 7
Joined: Mon May 29, 2017 7:07 pm
Location: Summertown,Tennessee
Motorcycle: 2005 GL1800

Re: 2005 GL1800

Post by tbrake »

well, today I opted for the new battery, It was testing lower that i wanted as i have not replaced it since i've owned the Wing. Not the problem...I'm thinking maybe looking into the switch itself.
User avatar
Big Blue UK
Posts: 606
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2013 2:18 pm
Location: Staffordshire UK
Motorcycle: GL1800 Monarch

Re: 2005 GL1800

Post by Big Blue UK »

As your battery was ageing not a total waste. instinct told me it was not the battery, but I could have been wrong. I have been bought several 2002-2005 wings with starter issues, and only one was the battery, this is my process when a early Wing will not start.
1/Check battery voltage, if ok, use a battery to jump start, if it starts it is the battery.
If it does not start
2/ check fuses, if ok, go to the best point to see if 12v is being sent to the starter motor using a meter on the connector shown in the picture
Image
If you get 12v at the connector pin shown in the picture when the starter switch is depressed, you know the all is ok from the fuse, through the pmi ign relay, the kill switch, the starter switch, and all the connections up to where you have the meter probe, all with one single test using your meter. if there is 12v you will then know the problem lies between the connector where you have the test meter probe, and the starter motor.

Even if you hear a loud click when you press the starter it can be the starter switch, hearing this 'click' and thinking the switch is ok, can be a false diagnosis. Because the contacts in the switch make a momentary contact for a fraction of a second, just time enough for a click to be heard from the relay and solenoid.
If at first you don't succeed, hide the evidence.
tbrake
Posts: 7
Joined: Mon May 29, 2017 7:07 pm
Location: Summertown,Tennessee
Motorcycle: 2005 GL1800

Re: 2005 GL1800

Post by tbrake »

I finally got to get back out to look at the bike today, REVIEW....I've purchased a new battery, bought a starter solenoid and changed it, no go...swapped to the other reverse solenoid, no go. swapped relays around in the bank under the seat...no go. Tapped on the started with a wood block, just i case it was a bad spot on the starter...NO GO.I'm now at the end of my rope. I could use some good help and thoughts on this. Otherwise it's going to the shop...and i hate doing that.Relay clicks under seat area so i know the switch is making contact.
User avatar
joeincalif
Posts: 936
Joined: Sat Nov 22, 2014 10:39 am
Location: Fresno, Ca
Motorcycle: 2006 Gold Wing

Re: 2005 GL1800

Post by joeincalif »

You did check to see that the reverse button is not pushed in. That happened to a friend right after he picked up his 1800. Stopped to eat and couldn't get it started again.
Image
IF YOUR BORN ONCE YOU WILL DIE TWICE
IF YOUR BORN TWICE YOU WILL DIE ONCE
tbrake
Posts: 7
Joined: Mon May 29, 2017 7:07 pm
Location: Summertown,Tennessee
Motorcycle: 2005 GL1800

Re: 2005 GL1800

Post by tbrake »

I have been through all that, the reverse is fine, Although, what i did find was that if i cross the started solenoid that it will turn the bike over, next step will be to bypass the kill switch on the handlebars, and clean the switches whilst i have it apart. I skinned the wires and held together with a pair of dykes and it caused the fuel pump to actuate and the dash lights to cycle on then off. So next to cut them and splice to eliminate the switch...that i never use anyhow.
tbrake
Posts: 7
Joined: Mon May 29, 2017 7:07 pm
Location: Summertown,Tennessee
Motorcycle: 2005 GL1800

Re: 2005 GL1800

Post by tbrake »

ok....segway to much sweat later...I got out there and took the handlbar control apart, looks kind of bad in there anyhow so I disabled the kill switch but that really did me no good. I'm not going to put that back together, going to purchase a new one for it. The Cruise control button is stuck "on" anyhow. So, now I need to find the best deal on that right handlebar control. It's an '05 so the thing is lighted...also known as more expensive. Let me know if you guys know of a good parts source for this. I'm going with new not used so i know what i have to work with. Hopefully that will be my fix, if not...It needs to be done anyways.
tbrake
Posts: 7
Joined: Mon May 29, 2017 7:07 pm
Location: Summertown,Tennessee
Motorcycle: 2005 GL1800

Re: 2005 GL1800

Post by tbrake »

Any thoughts on the best place to get this part for my 05 wing? I'm seeing lots of dollars for this part, but want new for a guarantee that all switches work, for the best price.


Post Reply