bad ground? help!

C

cgs2k2

New Member
So my electric start went out a few days ago (1974 Honda CB200). The battery is fine, and all lights work. I was told to test the solenoid by connecting both posts with a screwdriver. When I do this, I lose all power to the bike. What do you think this could be? Broken connection somewhere? Bad ground? Does anyone have experience with this? ahhh
 
Anything else happen when you bridge the gap? Losing power to the rest of the bike isn't terribly uncommon (starters pull a ton of current), but the starter should at least turn over.
 
i lose power to the bike, and nothing happens. as soon as i remove the bridge, everything is back to normal.

my original problem is that when i hit the start button, i hear a lot of clicking coming from the solenoid but the bike doesn't start.
 
Sounds like it could be the starter motor, then.

Pull all the connections, clean them, and try again. If you still don't have any luck, then it's probably the starter motor.
 
Have you tested the starter itself? 10 gauge wire from the battery hot post to the starter cable lug on the starter body. If the starter spins with the jumper, the problem is in the solenoid or the push button switch. If you have a set of regular jumper cables, a screwdriver against the battery hot post, then the jumper cable clamped on will do the same thing, with less chance of burning your fingers.
 
thanks for the help and quick responses guys. i will test the starter tonight after work.

if it IS the starter. how hard is that to replace? seems like it would be a pain in the ass, no?
 
Left engine case needs to come off. You may need a new gasket for that side (or just use Threebond). I can't remember if the alternator needs to come out as well, but it might.

Count on this taking a few hours if it's your first time digging around in the engine.
 
Sonreir said:
Left engine case needs to come off. You may need a new gasket for that side (or just use Threebond). I can't remember if the alternator needs to come out as well, but it might.

Count on this taking a few hours if it's your first time digging around in the engine.
Click to expand...

Ok, that's not too bad. Thanks again for the help. I'm hoping by connect a hot wire to the starter motor it works and i end up just having to clean up some connections.
 
Sounds like the battery is also low, you can have a 'surface charge' showing 12v but almost zero amps
Check the connections are tight,I've seen what your describing when either battery terminal was only finger tight
Put jumper leads on it before taking stuff apart
 
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