Sunday, April 25, 2010

Solenoid The Problem

With some advice help I was able to get the solenoid off the bike today. Had to remove rear exhaust pipe; move oil tank; remove battery tray to get to the solenoid. Was told 3/8 wrench would fit the mounting screws but I found mine had allen head screws. Pulled solenoid off and retrieved the spring and put the unit in my vice. Taking the cap off I could see that the brass/bronze studs and contact area inside were worn pretty bad, and the flat plates gone from one and almost gone from the other. There is a plunger that activates against these two brass/bronze studs to connect circuit to pass current through to the starter. The studs were also almost worn to the housing cover. The plunger inside is rough to the touch and galled.

So I think it is pretty safe to say that the solenoid is shot and is the problem and not the starter itself. That's good news as the solenoid should be plenty cheaper than a $300 starter.

5 comments:

Kathleen Jennette said...

Ok.. what's a solenoid?! :) Just stopping in to say hello!

WooleyBugger said...

Hi Ya Kt Did,

Basically it is a switch that connects the current from your battery to the starter when you push the start button for short bursts.

Like turning on a camera flash momentarily then off.

RazorsEdge2112 said...

Glad it is just the solenoid. Those starters can be REAL expensive. Plus, many solenoids are interchangeable with other bikes; so long as the they can handle the proper current.

Got a solenoid/engine question for you... The solenoid from my project bike dropped into the engine casing and is now sitting in the oil sump. Not like I can pick up that 100 pound chunk of Aluminum and steel, and shake it out. :-D

I feel your pain with it's removal. I helped my daughter's boyfriend change a rear turning signal in his car. Manual instructed to simply twist the bulb housing 1/8 turn clockwise and pull out. Ya, whatever. It was COUNTER-clockwise and we had to remove the whole friggin lens and shield by loosening three blind bolts.

Willy D said...

Did you say it’s cheaper? I like cheaper:) I always check the whole circuit before I buy any part.

Razor, know any good heavy equip. mechanics? A lot of them have pro-vision scopes.

WooleyBugger said...

Razor, have you tried one of those magnetic extendable pick ups to get it? This is on the VX800 I take it.

Willy D, cheap and reliable is my middle name. Well cheap is anyway.
My brothe rlearned me about tinning and cutting throttle cables last night. Measure the length, use solder gun to heat the wire (Not the solder) then touch solder to the wire. Now look at the measured out length of your throttle cable and lay it on the floor. Take a good sharpe cold chisel and wack the cable at your mark. Viola. One cut and end tinned unraveling cable.