Starter doesn't work.

[TijmenK]

After crimping on a new lead on my battery cable, because the previous one wasn't crimped on properly, my starter doesn't work anymore. I can bump-start it just fine and the battery has 13 volt according to my multi-meter, but when I press the starter button I only hear a click from the solenoid. What else can I check?

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

Ya know, you just might consider telling us what bike you have...

 

[frogman]

I guessing this is for the bike in your build thread? The click just means the wiring from the starter button circuit part of the relay is working. Make sure the cable coming up from the starter is connected to one side of the relay and the battery POS is connected to the other. Probably forgot to connect one back. Either that or something else went bad in the process.

 

[TijmenK]

Yeah sorry, it's a Suzuki GN125.


I'll double check all the connections, does the 13V on the battery ascertain that that's not the problem or would testing it with a different battery be worthwhile?

 

[Sonreir]

13V is only half the picture. A battery is rated in amps and it's possible to pull the correct voltage but not have enough amps. If the battery is suspect, try hooking up some jumper cables from your car (don't have the car turned on or running).

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

You have to make sure the cable is good at BOTH ends. As was said, the click indicates that your solenoid is being activated. Either there is no power getting to the solenoid high current connection, or the solenoid is bad.

First test, jam a pair of pliers between the big leads on the solenoid, and see it it activates the starter. (Make sure the bike is in neutral.) If the starter spins, it means you have continuity through your cables and most likely the solenoid needs to be replaced. Take your old solenoid to a local NAPA auto parts store, and they should be able to match one up for you for a lot less than Suzuki would charge for the part. (The solenoid is a standard electrical part that Suzuki does not actually make.)