Topic: Solenoid "Click"

[rmw156]

So I pulled my 76' Cb750 SuperSport out of winter storage and used the electric start, it started up without a hitch. Then two days later I rolled it out of the garage, turned the key, push the starter button and "click". My Solenoid would click but the starter wouldn't turn over.
This made me think that my battery wasn't holding charge, so I put it back on the trickle charger for the night. The next day I tested it with out trickle charger and it was still holding charge so I put it back in and the same problem occurred. Every time I pushed the starter button my solenoid would just click. After this I tried to do some investigating of my own, by jumping the solenoid with a screwdriver which made the starter turn over.

Then I checked the solenoid cables to make sure they were tight and corrosion free, checked to see if my fuses blown (which they weren't) and followed the Red/Yellow wire (starter button to solenoid wire) to the front "wire box" under the handle bars.

I'm at a loss. I don't know what the problem could be anymore. Is my starter button just bad, or is the solenoid? Help me out here, my knowledge is a little lack luster when it comes to electrical matters.

[kghost]

If the solenoid clicks.....it's attempting to work so it's not the button.

The starter button sends current to the solenoid to cause it to energise, hence the click as the solenoid try's to work.

The two terminals that you are jumping connect internally via an electro magnet. (Actuated via the starter button)

That way a low amperage starter button controls the high amperage starter circuit.

If you can jump the terminals on the solenoid and get normal starter rotation......

Either A. the solenoid is bad or B. there's a bad connection somewhere between the battery and the starter (dirty, corroded, loose, etc)

The contacts in the solenoid itself do get corroded, arced, pitted etc. Sitting over the winter may have built up enough corrosion that they no longer make good contact

[HondaMan]

I hate to sound like a salesman, but...there is a step-by-step, full-color version on how to fix your solenoid in my book. 

[Nic]

I bought the book, received it a fortnight ago. Great work H_Man.

[rmw156]

kghost - I'm going to try this out when I get off work today.

HondaMan - I actually think I have your book somewhere. I bought my bike 2 years ago and I think the guy handed it to me! I moved twice since then so I'm going to have to search for it.