Is there something that would kill starter solenoids?

[1969iggy]

I have a 1996 GSX and replaced the starter solenoid... fired up with a battery hooked up and ran for 5 seconds... i shut it off.

Now, i try to start and it won't. I don't hear anything from the rear e box but i think i hear something up front, but maybe my imagination. I jump the lugs and it sparks and the starter moves...

It's brand new. It's started the machine ONE time... very nicely i might add... now nothing.

Is there something that would kill these things?

 

[Triorieel]

They are pretty basic devices....I would expect something really extreme to kill it that fast.

Edit: nvm, I misread solenoid as something else. That would be disheartening if it died that fast. maybe its not getting enough power to spit it out?

 

[1969iggy]

I will check the switch too... Is there any easy way to do that?

 

[Triorieel]

There is probably a connector coming from the steering for the start switch. You could probably disconnect it then check it for continuity while pressing the start button. I would also check the connections at the mpem to see if there is corrosion.

could you explain "I jump the lugs and it sparks and the starter moves..." further. Does this mean the starter moved but did not engage or did it work properly with your test?

 

[racerxxx]

On the solenoid there is a connector. You can check the voltage on that with a meter or a test light. It should have voltage when you press the start button. One wire is DC the other is a ground.

Did you buy an OEM solenoid or a aftermarket one?

 

[1969iggy]

There is probably a connector coming from the steering for the start switch. You could probably disconnect it then check it for continuity while pressing the start button. I would also check the connections at the mpem to see if there is corrosion.

could you explain "I jump the lugs and it sparks and the starter moves..." further. Does this mean the starter moved but did not engage or did it work properly with your test?

It moves... i'm only holding it there for a split second because it throws sparks. I think that maybe i'm not getting good solid connection between the pliers and the two lugs because the e-box is sitting there on top of where it's supposed to go and moves when i push on the lugs... honestly just afraid to stand there and try to crank it with sparks flying in the engine compartment

On the solenoid there is a connector. You can check the voltage on that with a meter or a test light. It should have voltage when you press the start button. One wire is DC the other is a ground.

Did you buy an OEM solenoid or a aftermarket one?

I will try testing the voltage on the solenoid connector after i test the switch. Also, i will look for how to test the dess post. I assumed that it was the starter solenoid because it moved the starter when jumped, but maybe my test was too short... If i put the lanyard on and jump this, should i be able to start the GSX and let it run for a few seconds?

 

[1969iggy]

OK, found the problem... the start/stop connector was corroded. I tested it and it worked fine. I pulled it apart and put it back together 5 times when re-assembling and it starts now. F-ing A i probably threw away a perfectly good starter solenoid. And it sat here by my computer for a week because i tested it and it worked fine one time... how many times was i going to start it? I'll start it again before i hook it to my trailer and drag it to the lake though, that's for F-ing sure!

Just for my own education, the starter solenoid has the two wires that plug into the bottom of it, can you unplug that and test for voltage there to see if the juice makes it that far? And is that a safer less sparky way of testing?


For the DESS lug, can you do the same thing where you just unplug it at the connector and check for continuity? that's a 3 part connector with ground (black) and then a Black/yellow and a White/Grey. Which of those should close when the lanyard is on? Both? Are both open when it's off?

 

[Triorieel]

With my understanding, as soon as a magnet (including the one in the key) goes on the post it will close a connection. then you have the 2 contacts for communication. I assume they share a common power or ground wire.


Either way, the communication lines can be tested by using the post and connector. Then put a magnet on/near the post and test for continuity between the third wire at the connector and one of the first 2 wires at the connector should show a closed a connection.

But this is me guessing based on my understanding on how the post works.