Triumphrat

JEB

I've been putting a Bonneville America engine and wiring harness into a Thruxton frame (see the link below) for the last few months, cutting and soldering and grinding, and everything is finally back together.

I put a fresh battery in, turned the key, and hit the button, but the starter didn't turn. I tested all the switchgear (horn, headlight switch, brake light switches, idiot lights, turn signal switch), and they all seem to be working. Fuses are all good, the parking lights come on when the key is in the third position, and the kill switch and starter button work when I test them with a meter. I removed the sidestand switch and soldered the wires together, so that shouldn't be causing the problem, and I don't have a switch on the clutch lever so the wires are capped.

When I jump the starter solenoid with a screwdriver, the starter turns so I know that it will work. Any advice?

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Project Thruxtamerica Part 1 Part 2

road_dog

Electricity is NOT my forte JEB, but could the sidestand switch possibly be an "open to run / close to kill" (for lack of the proper term) type circuitry instead?

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Phil (road dog)

JEB

Well, it looks like it's not my forte either. It could be the starter solenoid, could be the diode pack, could be the clutch switch, sidestand switch, neutral switch, alarm... I removed the sidestand switch, the carb warmers and the clutch switch all at once. I should have just put it back together and left everything alone.

The sidestand switch connects the two wires when the stand is up, and when the stand goes down it depresses the button on the switch and disconnects the wires. Soldering the wires together completes the circuit, just like the stand being raised.

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Project Thruxtamerica Part 1 Part 2

Baltobonneville

Could it be the starter solenoid itself not doing its job, since you established that everything else seems to work?

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Marty
2005 Bonneville Blue 790cc, AI removed, Staintunes RC, Unifilter, no snorkel, 120/40/Thrux needle/1 shim/3 turns, fly screen, tacho, D9 gauge panel, center stand, Ikon 7610s, Hagon fork springs, gaiters, Pirelli Sport Demons, 3 seats.

JEB

I tested it last night with a voltmeter, and there is no current going to the solenoid when I press the button, so something is stopping the signal between the button and the solenoid.

This is like a good game of Clue. I suspect the clutch switch did it in the garage with the wiring diagram! ARRRRGH!

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Project Thruxtamerica Part 1 Part 2

jojje1963

Do you have an alarm or just the jumper plug? Does the engine start when you jumper the starter relay, does it spark?

Baltobonneville

Hmmm ... wonder if you missed a wire when you were sorting out that wiring harness? Or if a wire is broken, etc? Let us know what it turns out to be. It must be frustrating.

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Marty
2005 Bonneville Blue 790cc, AI removed, Staintunes RC, Unifilter, no snorkel, 120/40/Thrux needle/1 shim/3 turns, fly screen, tacho, D9 gauge panel, center stand, Ikon 7610s, Hagon fork springs, gaiters, Pirelli Sport Demons, 3 seats.

JEB

I just have the jumper plug on the alarm, Jorgen. I pulled the sparkplug and jumpered the solenoid, and it threw a fat blue spark, which made me smile. It sounds like it's something in the starter circuit, not the ignition.

On my electrical diagram, one wire from the starter button goes to the "starter switch". What is this? Is it the five pronged square relay next to the turn signal relay? What does it do?

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Project Thruxtamerica Part 1 Part 2

Tabletop

Could be the starter relay...mine went bad after a ride in a heavy rainstorm. Without pressing the start button, with the key (power) on, the starter would spontaneously start. Bike started up on its own and kept engaging the starter even after it was running. (I was able to ride by starting the bike and then pulling the relay.)

It's an inexpensive part, may be worth trying a replacement.

Relay...$11.53 on Bike bandit

[ This message was edited by: Tabletop on 2007-03-19 18:10 ]

jojje1963

Don't know starter switch but I think your problem is with the starter relay. That's not the soleniod but a regular relay that should be grounded thru the diodpack.

Check for 12v at fuse 15, both sides. If that's ok check for 12v at the starter botton, if there is 12v find the starter relay and make sure it's working. (yes, it's the five pronged square relay)

And jumper the clutch switch too, if it's still open

[ This message was edited by: jojje1963 on 2007-03-19 18:15 ]