83 Wing quit on me!

[Dakotaman]

I went to my garage to start up my 83/1100 wing like usual. I turned the key to start, pushed the start button and heard something like the sound of a fuse that blew! I have checked each fuse under in the tank and the dogbone one, but it won't start. It may not be a fuse per say, but something that I don't know about. Any suggestions to get my wing running would be appreciated!!!!! I replaced the dogbone actually, with the dogbone fix that was on here. I've checked the fuse in it, and it's good.

[ride dont hide]

Double check that dogbone. I had one that looked fine but when removed it crumbled in my hand. Then replace it with a much better blade type. Plenty of how -to's on that on this sight. Keep us posted!

[DaveO430]

Double check that dogbone. I had one that looked fine but when removed it crumbled in my hand. Then replace it with a much better blade type. Plenty of how -to's on that on this sight. Keep us posted!

That dogbone fuse was probably 35 years old, sure the blade fuse will last that long?

[virgilmobile]

If you turn the key back on does the headlight work?

[Dakotaman]

I'll check that out when I'm done work. Is there a totally free Owner's Manual for my 83/1100 Standard Goldwing that you might know of?? That would help me some! When I bought this one, the owner lost the Manual after moving. I'll try to check the yellow wires that I read about on here.Thanks for helping!!

[virgilmobile]

Yellow wires have to do with charging the battery.
If your lights do come on,try to start it.When you release the start button the lights should come back on.
Usually a "snap" noise is from a arcing connection ..I usually suspect corroded battery contacts then loss of all power but may return after the key is cycled...Repeat...fail... repeat....fail...
A hydrolocked engine can also cause a "noise and no crank"....Tend to the electric first...

[Dakotaman]

Would their be other fuses, that I may have missed and where would they be? What is the main fuse for what could cause something like this? I will try every thing that is suggested to me!! Thanks for helping a fellow biker!!

[Dakotaman]

The lights did come on, then tried the start button. And heard a noise like a small short, or arc. No go yet!!

[virgilmobile]

Because you heard the same noise..it's not a fuse blowing....It's a electrical arc..Either coming from a bad connection at the battery posts or ..if there perfectly cleaned and tightened...the starter solenoid...due to the engine not turning over.(hydrolocked).
Does the headlight come right back on after you release the start button?

[Dakotaman]

Where would the solenoid be, and if it is dead,
are they expensive!!

[DWade1990]

The solenoid is right next to the battery, towards the rear of the bike. You had your hands on it when you were changing out the dogbone fuse. You have to pull it up and out of the round rubber holder to really get a good look at it.

First things first, check your battery. What is your voltage between the battery terminals when the key is turned on? And then when the starter button is depressed? It takes a lot of power to turn over these big old motors.

Don't worry about the three yellow wires....yet.

[Dakotaman]

I will check the things you have mentioned, when I get the free time. Between School Bus driving, and floor tile replacement, yard work, it's choose and pick!!! Thanks for the help DWade 1990. The thanks also goes out to the others that have jumped in to help!! Again thanks!!

[johnWK]

As long as you're testing the battery, check the connection from it to the solenoid. The solenoid has two posts on it, one connection coming from the battery and the other leading directly to your starter motor. If your battery is showing the correct voltage when you press the start button, then test to make sure that power is making it to the solenoid. If it is, then check the connection between the battery and the post on your starter motor, pull the little rubber boot back and make sure your lead is touching the bolt to ensure you get a good reading. Have someone press the start button, if your solenoid is good then the bolt should read roughly the same voltage you got from the battery. If power is reaching the starter motor but your bike still isn't starting, its time to look into cleaning/rebuilding your starter or buying a new one.

[Dakotaman]

Ok! Here is what i have done so far!! Checked all my fuses, tested the bike battery for DCV, which showed it was under the 13v level. Checked the battery connections, the solenoid ones too. I then removed the battery wires from the wing battery, and used an eliminator power box, and to my surprise all the lights lit up on the wing. So I pushed the start button, but got just a click. Could it be just a bad battery??

[johnWK]

What is your battery showing at rest, and when you press the starter? When you press the starter, pay attention to where that "click" is coming from. You mentioned earlier that it was a "snap", which as mentioned sounds like an arcing connection, but if it is a distinct "click" it is probably coming from your solenoid. If your battery is showing at least 11-12 volts when you press the starter, and all you hear is a click, but both terminals of the solenoid are receiving power, again I would point you in the direction of your starter motor. If your battery voltage drops below 10 when you hold down the starter button, then it is certainly not providing enough power to start your engine.

A few weeks ago my bike died out of the blue on me and all I was getting was a "click" from the solenoid. Tried jumping the battery, nothing. I replaced the battery and solenoid, and still was getting that same click. I put a new starter motor on and the bike started up like she was brand new. I'm not certain this is the same issue you're having, but from what you've described it's starting to sound awfully familiar.

[Dakotaman]

Could I hook up the battery terminals to a larger 12v battery, like one for a trailer, to see if that would start it up?? And how can i tell what starter to get from amazon, that would fit my GL1100 Standard?

[winguyjo]

the possibility of the engine being hydro-locked has been mentioned a couple of times, but i don't see where you have checked for that possibility.
remove spark plugs and hit the start button. watch all 4 spark plug holes to see whether any fluid gushes out of any of them. a few seconds cranking is all you need.
yes, you can use any other healthy 12v automotive-type battery of sufficient amperage to jump it.

[Dakotaman]

When I remove the spark plugs, and push the start button what pushes stuff out, if their is any?? And what causes hydrolocking??

[winguyjo]

the rising piston pushes out the fluid.
hydro-lock is usually, but not always, caused by a float valve not seating, allowing fuel to overflow the carb and enter the cylinder.

[winguyjo]

just to expand on that a little ... once the cylinder has filled with fluid, and the valves are both closed, the fluid is not going to compress and it has no place to go.
thus the starter can't budge the engine, although i have heard that it can bend a rod during the attempt. continued attempts to crank a hydro-locked engine can easily cook a starter.
with the spark plugs removed, the fluid has an escape route.

[Dakotaman]

Will this shoot out, or just kinda of leak out. I guess I will have to move it out of the garage!!!

[winguyjo]

it will gush.
keep face away.
have rags.

[Dakotaman]

So! Do I need battery power for this!! I am new to this!

[Dakotaman]

I just got home, and thought I would try the starter once more. I did put a 1.25 amp charger on it, Tand it has been awhile ago. So if I look into the hydro locking, I just pull the plugs. Will it gush out as I am pulling the plugs out. I would like to thank everyone that took their time to help me, really appreciated!!!

[winguyjo]

no, nothing will gush out until the piston starts to move up in its cylinder.