Subject: update on 73 eldo that wouldn't start hot
Author: Robert Russell
Date: Feb 10, 2005, 6:00 PM
Post ID: 1718370751
A few weeks ago I posted about a 73 eldo that would start up, then after
running enough to get hot, if I killed it or it stalled, it wouldn't
start up again. Hitting the starter I'd just hear the relay click but
the starter wouldn't turn. After waiting a little while (10 min or so)
it would start again just fine.
I got alot of good suggestions from this list.
I decided to try a solution mentioned on Greg Bender's site and also
mentioned in Guzziology but for smaller block Guzzis.
First of all I knew my battery was fully charged (I've got a charger and
used a voltmeter just to be sure). Then I checked out the relay. Going
by the specs on GB's site & Guzziology, terminals 30 & 87 were reversed,
as were terminals 85 & 86. (hope I'm remembering those right)
Now, that's not really a big deal, they're both pretty much opposite
sides of a switch. I changed them back anyhow, thinking maybe the coil
in the relay would get more amperage if the #30 terminal was hooked up
properly, to the red wire coming from the regulator B+ terminal, which
in turn is hooked to battery +.
Ran it for about 10 min, killed it, tried starting, it started fine.
Took it for a spin, my first, tires all mushy from 2 weeks of teen
temperatures, but satisfying none the less to know the transmission, or
at least the first two gears, work. 3 miles later I got back, killed it,
hit the starter, and got the relay click and nothing else.
Problem not solved.
G Bender's site and Guzziology mention bypassing the regulator from the
battery to the relay. It makes sense that the solenoid was possibly not
getting enough amperage to spin. So the next day, I hooked up an eyelet
to the battery +, connected it to some 10awg wire, and connected the
other end to a female spade terminal onto #30 of the relay. I left the
original wire from the regulator to the relay disconnected.
This seems to have solved the problem. I haven't done a completely
foolproof test yet, but I ran the bike for a good while, and after
killing it, it started right up again with no problem.
If anyone else has tried this and still had problems, or if I've missed
something please let me know.
If anyone wants to try this I'll be happy to go over it in detail.
All I need now is new tires and a license plate. Hope to see you on the
road.
motoroberto
'73 eldorado