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Electric starter problems

15856 Views 35 Replies 5 Participants Last post by n2o2diver, Nov 4, 2012

zj_hummel

Discussion Starter · Oct 29, 2012

Hello there, I bought a 1990 TW200 two months ago. I took it apart to powder coat the frame and then put all new plastics on it. So here is the issue: I put the key in the ignition then turn it to "ON" and you can hear the starter turn over for a second. Next I will press the starter button and here rrrrrrrrrrrreeeerrrr. I was thinking it was the starter relay so I bypassed it and then I heard the same thing; rrrrreeeerrrrrr. The electric starter system was not turning over the motor. I figured it must be the starter clutch, so $94 and 2 hours later it was fixed. NOT the case. I kick started the bike on Saturday and road it 75 miles thru the mountains--wow, it was a great ride. I got to my destination and let the bike sit for 2hrs. I put the key in, turned it on, and then I heard the starter run nonstop, but it never turned over the motor. Is it the starter? The relay? Or did I mess something up when I put the bike back together? Hope you can help. Thanks

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n2o2diver

· #5 · Oct 29, 2012

Sounds to me like the battery. If the battery is low it will cause the relay to make noise and the starter will not turn. Top off the battery with distilled water and put it on a slow, like 1.5amp, charger for a day.

If the starter is spinning but it is not engaging the motor then something is wrong with the gear to the motor. Did you have the left side engine cover off at all?

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n2o2diver

· #7 · Oct 30, 2012

If the battery isn't strong enough it will cause the problem your describing. I'd check that first before moving on.

It doesn't take much drop in current from the battery, they are not that strong to begin with. It may spin without the load of the motor on it and I think that is what you are seeing. Charge the battery !

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n2o2diver

· #10 · Oct 30, 2012

Did you check the water level? Fill it with distilled water if it isn't already. If you are using a car battery charger be careful you don't boil it. Once you are sure you've got a good strong battery give it a go and let us know what happens.

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n2o2diver

· #14 · Oct 31, 2012

Just wondering if you have downloaded the manual? Chapter 7 has the procedure for testing the starter system. All I could recommend at this point is that you follow the troubleshooting steps in chapter 7 and see what you find.

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n2o2diver

· #17 · Nov 1, 2012

Are you saying when you turn the key on that is when the starter spins? Without pushing the start button? I'm not following you, sorry.

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n2o2diver

· #22 · Nov 2, 2012

You definitely have some wires crossed somewhere. You are going to have to go through the schematics and work it out or take it to someone who can. Trying to troubleshoot something like this through messages could take a long time. Ptmg definitely has you going in the right direction.

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n2o2diver

· #25 · Nov 2, 2012

Current should flow through a diode in one direction and not the other. You may have the diode installed backwards. Try flipping it around. That right there could be the problem.

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n2o2diver

· #36 · Nov 4, 2012

Glad you got it sorted out.

Now we have all learned something too.

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