Topic: Solenoid experts! Help!

[greenjeans]

How exactly does a solenoid fail?   Working on an old Ascot FT500 and I think I've found a discrepancy in the manual or perhaps the 4-pin has been messed with.

As I understand it, the + side of the solenoid goes to the battery.  Off that connection are the red and red/white wires (fused).   The other two go to the switch on the handlebars and the other to a neutral safety or clutch switch.   What would happen if those are switched?

See this link to my question on the Ascot forum.  It has a testing diagram
http://ascot500.com/index.php?topic=817.0

Thanks

[dusterdude]

The solenoid has a copper or brass disc inside that connects the two poles together when actuated by electricity.these discs get burnt in the same place over time and wont connect any longer.if you can get your solenoid apart,you may be able to rotate the disc to utilize clean metal

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[greenjeans]

Update, I found a spare and was able to make it work.  But, I did take the offending solenoid apart and it wasn't burned and appeared very clean.  I just didn't see anything that led me to believe that it wouldn't work.  Still leaves me a little confused.  Copper contacts were clean, spring seemed to work fine.

[RAFster122s]

Check to see if wiring break between solenoid input wire and internal connection.  Then test the coil inside the solenoid to see if it is open...the coil that serves as an electromagnet can have a break rendering it inoperable.

[Spanner 1]

An SOHC 4 solenoid can be taken apart and serviced for another 30 years of operation !... oh, wait this is not an SOHC4 bike.