Topica Loopframe_Guzzi Archive
 

Subject: RE: non starter

Author: Bruce Giller

Date: Mar 17, 2004, 10:24 AM

Post ID: 1716326099


Lannis,
When you jumped the starter with the screwdriver, you only showed that
the starter was still working. I think that you need to look at the
starter solenoid as the culprit here.

Try this: remove the small diameter wire to the starter solenoid.
Attach a similarly sized wire to the positive post of the battery. Now
touch the other end of this wire to the starter solenoid to where you
removed the original wire; you are bypassing the starter relay. This
12v supply should engage the starter solenoid which in turns, energizes
the starter motor. If the starter doesn't work, then the starter
solenoid needs some work. If it does work, then the starter relay is
your problem.

Bruce

Lannis wrote:
 
 
Rob Prins wrote:
MY loop'll show up if I can get the ding-dang-razzlefrabbit thing to
start. I sorted out the carb problem (misadjusted "choke" plungers),
but now it won't turn over. It was doing that intermittently even
before it was shipped to me; I assumed it was the 20-year-old battery
causing it. Now it has a new red-hot battery, I've taken the solenoid
apart (unsoldering the wires and all) and cleaned and buffed the big
copper contacts. Tonight I'm going out and resolder the big positive
battery lug and clean all the connections there.

What it's doing is just giving me a "click" when I punch the starter
button. The starter relay looks new (which doesn't mean it isn't the
problem), but at least it's not some old corroded 30-year-old original.

The relay gives a good solid click, but no action at all at the starter.



I'm going to go out and resolder the positive lug, and then reinstall
the battery and use a screwdriver to short across the solenoid and see
how the starter spins; that ought to eliminate all the heavy
connections. Back in a few minutes.

Lannis

Well, I just moved the problem to another place. With new, clean
battery connections, the starter spins merrily if you "hotwire" it with
a screwdriver from the solenoid lug to the positive cable.

Now, when I push the starter button, the starter relay clicks and shows
blue sparks inside (it's some kind of aftermarket relay with a clear
plastic case) and the starter still doesn't turn. That doesn't sound
right. A starter relay ought to just close a contact and pass current,
not show blue sparks.

Guzziology shows all kinds of ways to defeat neutral cut-outs and things
on your starter relay, but as to replacement, mentions that "almost" any
sort of starter relay "ought" to work. Is there a well known cheap
easy-to-find-at-NAPA-or-AutoZone relay that everyone knows works OK for
an Eldorado?

Lannis

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