Topic: Bypass solenoid and starter to be kickstart

[larrynyc]

Hello,

My starter button went bad and damaged my solenoid, so it constantly churns the starter motor. I already diagnosed the problem and have a replacement solenoid and starter button being shipped to me.

While I wait, I'd like to find a way to bypass the bad solenoid temporarily so that my starter motor isn't constantly churning, so I can just use it as a kickstart-only bike for now.

So I'm thinking this could be done in one of three ways:

A. Remove the solenoid totally.
B. Unplug just the big connectors from the solenoid (red to battery and black to starter), leave the two smaller connections (yellow/red, black).
C. Just unplug the big black connector from the solenoid to the starter, leave everything else on the solenoid plugged.

I like Option A the most, Option B seems okay, but Option C worries me a bit.

Does anyone have any insight on this?

Thanks

[TwoTired]

Disconnect any power going to the solenoid small wires.
Disconnect the big cable at the solenoid that goes to the stater motor.

(You didn't say if the starter button./switch is constantly trying to engage the solenoid or if the solenoid internal contacts are just stuck engaged  Either could be the cause of you issues.)

Would have helped to know what bike you were working on.

[larrynyc]

Thanks for the response!

After work I'll use your method. I'll take out all the connections from the solenoid except for the large red that goes to the battery. (I'll disconnect the large black that goes to the starter, and the two small wires that go to the regulator and the wiring harness.)

I actually am not 100% sure whether it's the button or the solenoid that's causing the starter to be constantly churning, but the starter churned when the key was off and pulled out, making me suspect that it wasn't the button. (It's a '74 CB550.) I tried whacking the solenoid with tools to no avail.

[TwoTired]

If the solenoid is stuck internally, the engine will crank whenever the battery is connected, even if the small wires on the solenoid are unconnected.
If the starter engages only after the key is switched on, then it is likely the button or wiring/control to the button.
If the latter, then simply disconnecting the small Black wire to the solenoid will keep it from engaging the starter solenoid.