starter problem

[twinbooty]

I am at my wits end. Last week my 02 gl1800 starter wouldn't turn over. Battery is good, connections are tight. just click, click, click. In fact, the last time it started it just clicked and for the next 20 minutes nothing until if finally did turn over. When I got home - nothing. I tore it apart to get to the A and B starter relays and A clicked but B did not. I've checked to continuity and voltage and everything is fine. I am not sure where to go from here. What should I be looking at and looking for.

[Sig45227]

Sounds all too familiar! My bike has been sitting for several years, in fact more, but this is the same problem I had with it occasionally when it was in running order. I just started a new account today to post about the same problem, or at least I think it's the same problem.
My battery is known to be dead, so far I have tried to jump it with a fresh battery I bought for my truck, didn't work. It wants to crank but doesn't fire. Tried jumping it with my running car and got it to fire once and it ran for almost ten minutes until I tried to give it throttle, then died and back to the same issue.

What's strange, when I bought this bike over ten years ago it was literally sitting in a barn and had not been ridden for about 6-7 years, maybe more. I trailered it home, dumped the gas, did an oil change and added fresh gas, new battery installed, cleaned the plugs and it fired up and ran! Occasionally it would have issues where it would seem like the motor was locked and it would not turn over. I pulled the plugs back then and it will crank over like a champ, but as soon as I put the plugs back in it won't crank over. I try stutter stepping the started to rule out a bad gear or other similar issue and it wants to go but won't crank over more than for 2 second or so. I did the fuse upgrade a long while back, and replaced the starter but still occasionally had the issue. I always parked on top of a slope so I could roll start it with the clutch. Today I tried everything again, took out plugs and it cranks easily. Took off the starter positive lead and cleaned all the connections with a brass brush and fine sandpaper and put on a new stainless nut and washer. Still wouldn't fire. I even pulled out all the fuses except those necessary to start and run the engine, trying to rule out Amp/Voltage bleed. The mystery continues....I'm trying to get this bike ready to sell but really want it running before that happens. If I have any luck I'll report back to your post with what I did. -Tim

[gipsy42]

I tore it apart to get to the A and B starter relays and A clicked but B did not. I've checked to continuity and voltage and everything is fine. I am not sure where to go from here.

I'm not sure about 1800's, but in the GL1500 coil of relay B receives power from relay A thru a inline fuse. I guess that they used same principle of operation, you migth as well start checking there.
Mario

[Sig45227]

I am sorry Mario, I didn't realize you had an 1800. I have an old 1983 1100. Just gave up on it for the day. Good luck to you sir.

[twinbooty]

The 1800's are the same. Power goes from the battery to A starter relay to B starter relay to starter. To energize the starter relays, power goes from the battery to the starter switch to A starter relay to the reverse relay to the reverse regulator assembly then to the B starter relay. checked all the fuses and they are good. The reverse regulator assembly fails the continuity test, no reading when checking the diodes according to the manual. Waited to replace it until I was sure I was checking right then notice my problem just got more complicated. When I turn on the ignition all I get is clicking from the reverse shift relay 3, the neutral light on the dash flashes, radio doesn't turn on or is displayed. After a while, F1 light comes back on and then the clicking and lights flashing stop and the neutral is very dim like the battery is dead. I still have 11.81 volts. I'm in over my head and I'm going to bring it in to a mechanic.

[GoldWingrGreg]

On 5th gen Wings, starter relay 'A' does pass battery voltage to starter relay 'B'. However, it all starts with having the battery tested and knowing that its health is good, and the cables are clean and tight. If the relays need replaced, be sure to use OEM parts ... the aftermarket ones are known to be problematic.

FYI ... if your battery is healthy, and you're stranded, don't forget your Wing can always be push started. Use 3rd gear for that.

[twinbooty]

Funny you should bring that up. My battery is 3 years old and hasn't given me any problems. Kept a tender on over winter. I was using a mechanic from Just Answer and sent him a video of what was happening. He said I had a dead cell. 11.5 volts with the key off and 6 volts with the ignition on. Bought a new battery and it started right up. I'll remember this one for a long time to come. Took half my bike apart for a bad battery.

[keithg64]

Glad you got it fixed but I would also remove and clean the ground bolt from the battery to the right side of the engine. It can get corroded and cause starting issues. The bolt sits around the reverse cables on the right side of the engine behind the cover.