Topic: Testing ignition switches, starter buttons, and solenoids?

[ataylor136]

I have a 71 CB500 and I am trying to learn a method of testing the igniton switch, the starter button and the solenoid. The bike will turn over if i touch the two termianls of the soenoid, but not with the starter button.
I would appreciate any  help, I would rather not just start replacing each piece.
Thanks

[KingCustomCycles.com]

You need a voltmeter.  Attach one lead to ground like the frame or a bolt or something.  The other (red) lead goes from place to place looking for where you have power and where you don't.  Power comes from the battery through a fairly large wire to the ignition switch, out of there to the start button, and finally, back to the solenoid to actuate the starter.  If the voltage stops at a component, that is the faulty one. 

[phil71]

I just bought this new 10 foot pole, and sold my old one. The new one is so shiny and nice, I don't think I'm going to touch anything with it just yet. Especially this.
Has anyone got any popcorn?

[ataylor136]

Thanks King, I appeciate your help, on the older series 500s I understand the right hand switch grounds at the bar, is it the entire piece that acts as the gound our a peticular point in the inside.

Hey Phil, how is that srcasm thing working out for you, not much good for me.

[KingCustomCycles.com]

I am more familiar with the 750 but will help as I can.  All Honda motorcycles, and most cars and aircraft, use the body, frame, or structure, as the ground.  Attaching the black lead to the handlebars, for instance, and the red lead to the + terminal of the battery will show battery voltage.  This principle will work with any positive wire on the bike.  In your case, you could put the black lead to ground, and the red lead to the small wire on the start solenoid.  At this point, press the start button with the key on.  It should show battery voltage.  If it does, but the starter won't engage, you have a bad solenoid. If it doesn't show battery voltage when the button is pressed, the problem lies elsewhere.

I will also say that this is how I wire all of my custom Honda's.  Electricity cares not if you are completing the path to ground with the switch, or completing the positive circuit.  It will matter only in how the leads of the voltmeter are attached.

[dagersh]

ATaylor,

make sure you get  wiring diagram, and you NEED to have a Voltmeter.  They are very helpful.  I am looking at a Clymer Manual right now, but they need to be taken with a grain of salt...  But here is what the diagram is showing.

Anyway, it does look as if the starter switch is grounded at the bar, it should be a Green wire.  The starter switch wire (inside the handlebar switch) is Red/Yellow.  It leads to the Starter Motor.

That is your switch wires.  Lets look at your ignition switch.  There should be 4 wires coming from the Ignition switch.  Black, Red, Brown and Brown/White.  The Red wire, pretty much comes from the battery, and is constant power.  However, there is an inline fuse on the Red wire going towards the the Starter Motor.  Check that Fuse!!! 

The Black wire is 12v SWITCHED power, active when the key is not in the OFF postion, as well and leads to a couple of pertinent places for you to check.  It goes to both the Starter Motor and to the Voltage Regulator (it goes other places as well, but we are working with your Starter).

The Brown and Brown/White deal with various lighting aspects.  Just out of curiosity, do all your lights work?  Keep asking questions, you will get great answers.  I just got the most annoying electrical bug worked out on my CB550.  I would have slit my wrist if it was not for this Forum!

Good luck, and keep us posted.

Gersh

[ataylor136]

Great advice, thanks. I had been disassembling the bike, got interested in starting the engine to see what will be needed in the spark area, ie. coils, etc. Perhaps I should reassemble the lights and start with a completely wired bike. One step forward two steps back, gotta learn to fight the urge to take stuff apart until I have a better gameplan.

[dagersh]

It may seem that is the way it goes, but it goes together faster than you expect.  Just be thorough, it will work!

Gersh