Intermittent cranking of starter motor

[Grader]

As the title suggests I have been experiencing intermittent function of the starter motor. When I tried to start the bike this morning absolutely nothing happened when I pressed the starter button (no slow cranking, no clicking).

After leaving the bike for a moment and lifting it to the level position (still with sidestand down) the bike cranked and started fine. I am sure that the battery is in good health as the lights were working fine and when it did turn over in the end the starting speed was normal.

I recently had similar difficulties with another bike (not an AT) and it turned out to be the starter motor brushes but in that case you could hear the distinct click of the solenoid even when it didn't turn over. In this case there is no noise at all.

The neutral warning switch was illuminated throughout so the only things I can suspect are the kill switch, the starting switch and the solenoid. I am a bit suprised though as the bike is otherwise in A1 condition with only 22k on the clock.

Does anyone have any experience with this type of problem or any ideas?

The bike is a 1997 RD07a, I'm particularly miffed as I only bought the bike last week (the cheque hasn't cleared yet!)

[DaveS]

Could this be the starter solenoid?
I only say this as I had exactly the same symptoms on my Transalp.
I replaced it for a second hand unit and it worked fine from thereon after.

[Grader]

Thanks for the response

That was my first thought too (wiring and switch less suspect due to bike being generally so immaculate) so if other people have had similar experiences maybe this is a good thing to try (and not too expensive).

Was your failure intermittent like mine? (worked one minute not the next)

Also where is the solenoid located, (Haynes manual is still in the post from Amazon) and is it relatively straightforward to change?

Cheers,
Chris.

[africatijn]

Hi,

On the RD04 the solenoid is seated just besides the battery, hanging in a rubber strap. Not sure about the RD07, but should be there as well I guess.

Sounds like the solenoid to me too. If it were your starter motor, you indeed should hear the solenoid. But, don't be fooled by the immaculate state of things, I should check/spray the starter/kill switch. This costs nothing and is a good thing to start with.

Goodluck,
T.

[DaveS]

My symptoms on the TA were exactly the same.
Some days it worked some days it didn't.
It got worse and worse.
If you have several pushes of the starter button it should go eventually. You might be lucky. I tired cleaning mine as well to no avail! I could see it was all pitted though.
I've not heard of a starter solenoid going at such low mileage but I guess its possible.

Not sure exactly where it is on the AT. Have look at the fiches section, follow the tech data link above, but ensure you are logged in to see the fiches.

[piguglyshandydrinker]

Hi, yup, my bro had an early T/A, it turned out to have intermittent starting, I stripped the terminals, gave them a good clean and vaseline, worked a treat from then on.

Otherwise check the starter switch.

Phil