Topic: Electrics - Only the Beginning Round 2

[redbaron]

1976 CB550F - All wiring connections look good.  battery reading 12.88. I turn key and no lights,  I hit starter button and no sound, no start. I get 12.88 volts on positive going into solenoid.  With key on, I jump solenoid terminals and starter does nothing.  I replaced solenoid and still no start. I checked continuity from yellow/green wire from solenoid to starter button and have continuity.  I pulled off side cover and inspected starter and wires, they all look good with good ground from battery. I think right hand control/start button is aftermarket. Could this be a bad start button? Could this be a problem with ignition switch and wires/connections? Would a bad R/R cause this? What would you do next?

[Don R]

 I've seen a bad battery that read volts but had no power to do anything useful.

[redbaron]

I turned ignition on and jumped solenoid. No start, but, when I hit start button the solenoid clicks. Here is photo of solenoid and wiring.

[newday777]

Have you had the battery load tested?

[redbaron]

Where do I do that? The battery is new. I have another good battery I will check bike with.

[RAFster122s]

Local auto parts stores usually offer free battery testing...

[willbird]

I would think if you have some copper wire and the headlight assembly you can just use the headlight by itself to see if the battery will at least light the headlight ?? it sounds like maybe it will not even do that ??

[redbaron]

Battery checked good at advance auto. I get solenoid to click if I turn ignition on, jump screwdriver across solenoid poles, and hit start button. What else should I check?

[extrafunky]

Starter motor is probably toast or not connected or loose ground. You can try connecting it directly to the battery to test. That is basically what you're doing to the + side if you short the solenoid terminals. Check the - battery post if connected to ground.

[redbaron]

Does the negative wire from battery run directly to starter motor where it is grounded?

[extrafunky]

The negative battery terminal is grounded to the frame at the rear right engine mount.

From this post: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,151576.0.html



The starter motor has no ground cable. Its body is grounded to the engine.

[redbaron]

I got it! I had the starter wire connected to batt negative. Thanks for all the replies that helped me. I have full power and spark! Turn signals are blinking very fast. Is there a relay to control the turn signals?

[redbaron]

Calj737 has helped me for over 7 years fixing these old 550's.