Starter button issue? Is it possible?

[acr88_]

Hello,

My GS750E is up and running. Runs well. However, occasionally if the bike is turned off via the kill switch, or you stall the bike, pressing the starter button will do absolutely nothing. Note that I have removed the clutch sensor since I replaced the whole wiring harness and it omitted that feature. I'll turn the ignition switch on and off, power is working and all gauges are lit up as well as headlamp, starter just stops working. Then if I tap the starter button housing with a screwdriver, turn ignition on, the starter button will work all of a sudden.

Any idea what may be causing this? I've read sometimes the starter button needs to be cleaned inside.

 

[rphillips]

I can't say about your problem, but this is something I've seen 2 times. I bought a used KZ1300 a few yrs back, and had it shipped in. We unloaded it and when I tried starting it, it would do nothing all lights and gauges worked, starter button nothing. After just fooling with it a while I found if i pushed the button in then slowly eased off of it, it would find a sweet spot and crank just fine. I tried a bunch of times just pushing it easy to find the sweet spot but that didn't work, had to push it in then gradually ease back off to get t to work. I didn't figure anybody would believe me if I told them, just too strange and makes no sense at all. Kept bike appx. 5 yrs and it never failed to start and still had the same problem when I sold it. Last fall a buddy of mine with a Honda Goldwing was telling me his bike is doing the exact same thing, push in and nothing ease off a little and it fires right up. just something you could easily check. No doubt the pecking with a screwdriver sounds more like a weak connection. But I'm no mechanic. Hoping you find something simple. If you take the switch apart be very careful, very small parts that may fall or jump out before you get a chance to see where and how they go back in.

 

[zed1015]

Strip the switch and clean the contacts.

 

[acr88_]

Thank you both. I will try disassembling and cleaning the starter housing and switch! If it still persist's, I may see if replacing it all together with an after market starter would be the next best answer?

 

[Redman]

Hello,

. . . .. . Then if I tap the starter button housing with a screwdriver, turn ignition on, the starter button will work all of a sudden.
.....

Yep, that would make me suspect problem with the starter button, especailly since you no longer have a clutch switch. Open the bar controll unit, and try some contact cleaner.

Other cause of such symptoms could be poor ground on the solenoid (which is its mounting to the battery box and battery box may not be well grounded) (assumiong solenoid mounted about same as on Gs that I know)

 

[Jinks]

A friend bought a gold wing, woudn't start, tightened the wires on the starter button & it started, it's a common problem.

 

[acr88_]

A friend bought a gold wing, woudn't start, tightened the wires on the starter button & it started, it's a common problem.

Thank you! Would you be able to elaborate a little more? Did the re-solder the wires?

 

[Suzukian]

I have a GS 750ES, and the started motor switch just kind of disintegrated. I have a huge collection of parts from having an electronic repair shop for 10 years. I found a switch that, and soldered the connections. I took some two parts epoxy and mixed it together, I, with a Q-tip, applied Vaseline of the area, so when try the shape would hold it in but it wouldn't be stuck to the housing. I fitted the switch in, and it sticks out of the hole, and the button is bigger (if fitted on the switch and is removable, pressed on tight, and square), but not in the way. That was 10 years ago, and it's still holding.

 

[rphillips]

My thoughts too, tightened the wires on a starter switch was something I'd not heard before.

 

[unfocused]

I just replaced mine with below. Needs glued in ( i used rtv ) and the wires are long enough to reach the headlight bucket.


​

 

[Jinks]

It's mainly a gold wing thing but just something to check.

 

[rphillips]

Jinks, we were wondering how he "tightened" the wires on the starter button? A spade connector that needed squeezed tighter, an eye under a screw that needs tightened? We're trying to think of a way to "tighten" a wire on a GS starter button.,

 

[Suzukian]

Some people twist wires together. Not recommended. I've seen bikes that use screw caps meant for house electric connections.

 

[ensure]

I had a similar issue with my gsx1100 that i am getting back on the road. Sometimes the starter button worked and sometimes it did not. I connected an additional earth connection from metal tray that starter solenoid is monted on to the battery negative terminal. Works every time now.

 

[Suzukian]

On those particular Suzuki motorcycles, the ground wire goes to the engine, Suzuki left the paint on the grounding surface, and it relies on the thread of the bolt to ground. If you remove that bolt, you may see rust on it. It works great if you wire brush that bolt, the file the paint off of the surface of the engine to bare aluminum at that spot, apply dielectric grease to it, so that surface does not oxidize. The mechanical connection will push any of the dielectric out of the way, and you will have a good ground. It's not good electronic practice to have many grounds, as this causes a lot of voltage drops. On a motorcycle, it's not usually a bad thing, but you really just need a good ground from the battery, and all grounds should to to that, or the frame, a part that is unpainted, and do not trust threads to work, much electrolysis goes on there. Too many grounds can cause a buzz in the radio. I don't ride with such contraptions, but used to troubleshoot electronics in aircraft.

 

[red1100]

I've heard about dielectric grease but never tried it. 100% connectivity?

 

[Suzukian]

Yes, the metal contact causes the connection, and the grease cannot get between that. The Dielectric grease prevents corrosion by not allowing moisture to cause oxidation. Dielectric grease does not block current flow. That just plain excrement of the male Bulls. I had an electronic repair shop for 10 years, and am a State certified Electronic Electronic Technician. Dielectric grease can extend the life of switches for Decades.

I've restored many British cars, they need about of quart of the stuff, as they use Brass connectors that actually turn green with the patina they form, and that green corrosion goes about a half in up into the wire. If they had put dielectric grease, they would not have formed the patina, of course, if they had used the same steel that everyone else uses, they wouldn't have a problem either. I replaced all those connectors with bullet style connectors, that had a dab of dielectric grease, for good measure, as the cars were convertible, and everything was exposed to moisture.

 

[acr88_]

Could it also possibly be the starter motor going bad or its' internal parts wearing out?

 

[rphillips]

Yes, possible, but if that were the problem it doesn't seem tapping the button would get it to work. Could check the starter by, when it's not working put bike in gear, let off the clutch, and rock the bike backwards. Just slight bumping will turn the inn'ards of the starter so the brushes are contacting a different spot. then try button. DO NOT do like we did yrs. ago with old Chevys and Fords, the starter wouldn't work and we'd get under there and tap on the starter with a hammer or heavy wrench, it worked for those old autos, but it will ruin our bike starters.