Bad solenoid out of the bag?

[cal_look_zero]

I purchased a new starter solenoid since the stock one didn't do anything. I tested my starter button to ensure that I had voltage at the connection point of the solenoid into the wiring harness. I hooked it all in, pressed the button and... nothing.

I'm always skeptical to think something could be bad out of the bag, but even when I take the yellow/green wire and apply 12v directly to it, the solenoid doesn't even click.

My connections are as follows: + lead from battery and lead from main fuse to one high tension post on the solenoid. Lead from starter motor to other high tension post on the solenoid. Yellow/Green wire from the solenoid into the yellow/green wire on the harness that produces 12v upon engaging starter button.

Any thoughts? I'd hate to buy another solenoid (too impatient to wait for an exchange) only to have it be something on the bike. I always understood the solenoid operation as needing to "click" (engage) when 12v are applied to the low tension input wire though.

[Big T]

Where's your ground?

Run a ground wire from a solenoid mounting screw to the negative post of the battery

Does your yellow/green wire deliver 12V?

If voltage there is low, the starter button is corroded. Carefully take it apart and clean it, reassemble

[cal_look_zero]

Where's your ground?

Run a ground wire from a solenoid mounting screw to the negative post of the battery

Does your yellow/green wire deliver 12V?

If voltage there is low, the starter button is corroded. Carefully take it apart and clean it, reassemble

Intredasting. There wasn't a ground there before. I'll try that and report back.

Voltage was 11.7x, I'll get out the contact cleaner as well.

[cal_look_zero]

Huzzah. Thanks. I have a working starter now.

[Big T]

Ground wire, switch or both?