1979 GS1000E Start button problem or more?

[dluszcz]

OK, so after tons of help, I got the starter wiring issue resolved. Now, I have an issue with my starter button. It works when it wants to, and usually after I hit it at least 20 times before I get it to work. Now, I can't get the starter button to work at all. Any way to bypass the starter button for the purpose of getting the bike started?

Some background.

Bought the engine used in a frame that cannot be titled. My plan is to swap it to my 78 GS1000E frame.

Dyna S electronic ignition, stock coils.

The red wire from the ignition is hooked up to the orange/white wires from the coils. The black and white wires are hooked up to the same color wires from the coils.

I poured gas into the carbs until the bowls filled up. No fuel came out of the overflow tubes. I have a new battery juiced and ready to go.

When I do get the starter button to work, I can't get it started.

Should I get the Dyna green coils to replace the stock coils or are the coils even the problem?

I just don't want to drain the oil, paint the 78 frame, swap the engine, re-line the gas tank, put all the parts back onto the 78 frame, only to have the engine not start.

I was assured that the engine started and ran for 30 seconds before he shut it down and took off all the parts that he was going to sell. I got the wiring harness, coils, carbs, airbox, and engine all intact in the 79 frame.

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Have you tried taking the right hand control unit apart and cleaning it up, removing any corrosion and rust? It's always a good idea to do this for the entire wiring harness, checking and cleaning every electrical connection and ground.

From www.cyclepartsnation.com:

#3
SKU: 57370-01311
BUTTON, STARTING C&EC,N&EN 1 $2.32
#4
SKU: 57382-01311
SPRING C&EC,N&EN 1 $1.57

Or for the entire right hand control unit:
SKU: 57100-49000
GRIP ASSY, THROTTLE C&EC,N&EN; Includes Item(s) 2 - 5 1 $61.15


If it's not starting it could be dirty carbs or weak spark. Have you cleaned the carbs? Have you checked for spark? Do you have the airbox installed properly? Is the air intake system sealed and without leaks? Check the READ ME link on my website for a checklist of tasks to perform to ensure a quick-starting, good running engine.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[Guest]

Could be the starter switch contacts, clutch safety switch or the kill switch. Could even be a bad connection on the starter solenoid or a bad solenoid itself.

 

[gremlin]

use a cheep switch from radio shack, on the starter realy. if the bike fires over its in the wireing and button going to the starter button on the handle bar.

you can get a starter relay from any place that sells lawn mower parts. they have them for around 10 dollars. chances are the contacts are going. there only good for a number of starts. befor carbon and junk builds up on them. check the input and out put of the relay. if your getting more in than out its the contacts getting durty.

 

[dluszcz]

Already got a new starter solenoid from the hardware store. I tried to get it started today and for the 1st couple of attempts, the starter button worked. Then, it quit working. But, when I jumped the solenoid with the screw driver and got the bike to start catching, the starter button worked again.

When I put the test light on the button and then push it in, it lights up. So, I don't think it's a wiring issue. Maybe I'm overheating the starter solenoid by trying too many times to get the bike started.

After all was said and done, I got the bike going. Ran it til I ran out of gas in the bowls. Now I'm going to start taking the engine out and swapping everything over. Thanks to all for your input.