Starter won't stop with key off
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2003 GL1800 2022 -
Starter won't stop with key off
Hello All
It's been a while, I have now a 2002, GL1800
I was on a jobsite where I started the bike to move it before I rode home and when I turned the key off, the starter kept spinning. I was an hour from home so I thought I'd let it idle and disconnect the battery when I got home. Smoke started coming out from under the seat so I disconnected the battery and hauled it home in my trailer I had on-site. I haven't opened it up to see if any wires were melted yet. I did stop by the local dealer and was told they couldn't look at for at least a month.
Could it be the solenoid as the mechanic suggested?
Greg aka "Piddler" on the Roof
It's been a while, I have now a 2002, GL1800
I was on a jobsite where I started the bike to move it before I rode home and when I turned the key off, the starter kept spinning. I was an hour from home so I thought I'd let it idle and disconnect the battery when I got home. Smoke started coming out from under the seat so I disconnected the battery and hauled it home in my trailer I had on-site. I haven't opened it up to see if any wires were melted yet. I did stop by the local dealer and was told they couldn't look at for at least a month.
Could it be the solenoid as the mechanic suggested?
Greg aka "Piddler" on the Roof
- Charlie1Horse
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1992 GL1500I Interstate
2002 GL1800
Re: Starter won't stop with key off
I would try tapping the solenoids, one at a time, to see if it stops and then replacing that one if that works. Check both sides of both solenoids with a test light or volt meter to see if power is at both terminals. If so, that solenoid should be replaced.
Russell
Russell
Those who say it cannot be done should try not to interrupt those who are doing it.
- GoldWingrGreg
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Re: Starter won't stop with key off
When you turned the key off, did the engine continue running, or did the engine turn off, but the starter kept running ???
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2003 GL1800 2022 -
Re: Starter won't stop with key off
The engine would turn off but starter kept going. I will try those voltage and tapping tests.
Thank You
Thank You
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Re: Starter won't stop with key off
You probably burned up the starter motor. The A starter relay welded its contacts so it and the B relay will need to be replaced along with the starter. Go with OEM, aftermarket will give you nothing but grief. I hope you didn’t engage reverse to try to stop it. The best thing to do when this happens is to pull the side cover off and disconnect the battery’s negative cable as fast as you can.
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2003 GL1800 2022 -
Re: Starter won't stop with key off
As soon as I saw a small amount of smoke coming from under the seat where the solenoids are, I popped the cover and disconnected the battery, The starter motor was still running but stopped when it lost power. Fingers crossed for the motor.
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Re: Starter won't stop with key off
It might be OK if it was free wheeling most of the time and not actually spinning the engine. I’ll keep my fingers crossed.
- agedbikeman
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Re: Starter won't stop with key off
This is common on the 1500's, mine's done it a few times, it's the first solenoid from the battery on the 1500, but I don't know about the 1800.
It seems to be because the wings have reverse, which uses the same solenoid to start and reverse, these solenoids were never meant to engage for that long like reversing, so they overheat, take your old one apart, you'll see it's the worse for wear.
On my 1500, I've got an LED on the dash that comes on when the starter motor is turning, If it stays on you know to take immediate action without wondering what's happening, see my post on this gadget.
It happened to me again last week, immediately pulled the side cover, clumped the solenoid and it stopped, I change my solenoid every 2 years so now it rarely happens.
Alex
It seems to be because the wings have reverse, which uses the same solenoid to start and reverse, these solenoids were never meant to engage for that long like reversing, so they overheat, take your old one apart, you'll see it's the worse for wear.
On my 1500, I've got an LED on the dash that comes on when the starter motor is turning, If it stays on you know to take immediate action without wondering what's happening, see my post on this gadget.
It happened to me again last week, immediately pulled the side cover, clumped the solenoid and it stopped, I change my solenoid every 2 years so now it rarely happens.
Alex
- GoldWingrGreg
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Re: Starter won't stop with key off
When replacing the starter and it's relays, be sure to only use OEM ones. If the starter is not seated by hand, often the reverse idler gear gets broke. So be sure to only seat it by hand ... no pushing on it with a tool, and do not draw it in using its mount bolts.
An aftermarket starter's pins can shear and send metal throughout the engine.
An aftermarket starter's pins can shear and send metal throughout the engine.
- Charlie1Horse
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Re: Starter won't stop with key off
While the starter is still running, are the headlights on or off? If they are off try spraying electronics cleaner in the starter switch on the right handlebar and working it many times. If they are on it won't be the switch. My 1500 had that problem one day and when I stopped to meet up with friends I could hear it running. I flipped the start switch a few times and it started working right again. So, when I returned home, I sprayed cleaner in the switch and worked it and it has been good ever since.
Russell
Russell
Those who say it cannot be done should try not to interrupt those who are doing it.
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Re: Starter won't stop with key off
On the 1800, if you turn off the key, the power to the starter button switch is removed. Even if the switch sticks, the key-off will kill the starter if the switch is the culprit. Since the OP’s starter still cranked the engine with the key off, this is a contact welded starter relay and not related to a sticking starter button switch.Charlie1Horse wrote: ↑Sun Oct 06, 2024 5:23 pm While the starter is still running, are the headlights on or off? If they are off try spraying electronics cleaner in the starter switch on the right handlebar and working it many times. If they are on it won't be the switch. My 1500 had that problem one day and when I stopped to meet up with friends I could hear it running. I flipped the start switch a few times and it started working right again. So, when I returned home, I sprayed cleaner in the switch and worked it and it has been good ever since.
Russell
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2003 GL1800 2022 -
Re: Starter won't stop with key off
Thank you all
I still haven't opened it up to see. I've been inundated with work lately
Greg
I still haven't opened it up to see. I've been inundated with work lately
Greg
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- Posts: 58
- Joined: Thu Jan 23, 2014 11:35 am
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1979 KZ650 1986 - 2013 Sold
1982 GL1100 2013 - 2018 Sold
1984 Yamaha Venture Royale XVZ12DL/DKC2 2015 - 2018 Parts Bike
1986 Yamaha Venture Royale XVZ1300DS 2018 - 2022 Sold
2003 GL1800 2022 -
Re: Starter won't stop with key off
Hello all
I finally opened up the bike to examine the solenoid's. While they were exposed I put the charged up battery expecting the starter to kick on so I could tap on the solenoids to see if it stopped as someone suggested. The starter did not turn on, the headlights did indicating the ignition was on but no starter even when I pushed the starter button. I checked the kill switch, it is in the right position, I switched back and forth to make sure it was positioned right.
A little back story, When I bought this bike in Union City over a ear ago, some 20 miles away, I was driving home and needed to stop for gas. When I went to restart it, Nothing happened. I called the guy I bought it from and we tried to diagnose it over the phone. He decided to drive the 12 miles to help me. We opened her up and checked fuses, voltage etc. and determined it may be the solenoid. I figured if it was the solenoid, I should be able to push start it. That worked so I drove home and ordered an after market solenoid. I just ordered an OEM solenoid that should be here on the 25th. I didn't try push starting it since it was partially disassembled and my drive way has a slope to it which could be problematic if it isn't running. I ordered the one with the clear or tan plug on it.
I finally opened up the bike to examine the solenoid's. While they were exposed I put the charged up battery expecting the starter to kick on so I could tap on the solenoids to see if it stopped as someone suggested. The starter did not turn on, the headlights did indicating the ignition was on but no starter even when I pushed the starter button. I checked the kill switch, it is in the right position, I switched back and forth to make sure it was positioned right.
A little back story, When I bought this bike in Union City over a ear ago, some 20 miles away, I was driving home and needed to stop for gas. When I went to restart it, Nothing happened. I called the guy I bought it from and we tried to diagnose it over the phone. He decided to drive the 12 miles to help me. We opened her up and checked fuses, voltage etc. and determined it may be the solenoid. I figured if it was the solenoid, I should be able to push start it. That worked so I drove home and ordered an after market solenoid. I just ordered an OEM solenoid that should be here on the 25th. I didn't try push starting it since it was partially disassembled and my drive way has a slope to it which could be problematic if it isn't running. I ordered the one with the clear or tan plug on it.
- Rambozo
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Ducati Monster
Re: Starter won't stop with key off
Aftermarket solenoids are not known for their longevity or proper wiring. You may have to do some tweaking to make it function. I always advise testing before just throwing parts at a problem. A quick check with a test light or meter will tell you what is and isn't functioning.
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Re: Starter won't stop with key off
The A solenoid is the culprit. It’s the one toward the front of the bike. The factory solenoid would/will have a red two pin connector on it. The B solenoid can’t cause this problem because it gets its power from the A solenoid. If the B welds its contacts, you will only get a reverse failure.Piddler wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2024 3:27 pm Hello all
I finally opened up the bike to examine the solenoid's. While they were exposed I put the charged up battery expecting the starter to kick on so I could tap on the solenoids to see if it stopped as someone suggested. The starter did not turn on, the headlights did indicating the ignition was on but no starter even when I pushed the starter button. I checked the kill switch, it is in the right position, I switched back and forth to make sure it was positioned right.
A little back story, When I bought this bike in Union City over a ear ago, some 20 miles away, I was driving home and needed to stop for gas. When I went to restart it, Nothing happened. I called the guy I bought it from and we tried to diagnose it over the phone. He decided to drive the 12 miles to help me. We opened her up and checked fuses, voltage etc. and determined it may be the solenoid. I figured if it was the solenoid, I should be able to push start it. That worked so I drove home and ordered an after market solenoid. I just ordered an OEM solenoid that should be here on the 25th. I didn't try push starting it since it was partially disassembled and my drive way has a slope to it which could be problematic if it isn't running. I ordered the one with the clear or tan plug on it.