push-start only

[berto]

Hi guys.  I am at a loss...........my valkyrie will not start. Will fire right up with a push start (within 10-20 yards). I have replaced the battery the plugs the air filter and cleaned up the starter botton, next i removed all the smog plumbing and serviced the petcok but still no-go. Hope for some suggestions as i am ready to take it to honda.  Thank-you

[cookiedough]

Is there a starter or battery main fuse to check somewhere behind the side cover?  Not to technical/electrical of a guy, but can't hurt to check fuses.

[berto]

Thanks for the replay, fuses are ok. A detail i forgot to mention....if i take the bike for a long ride the bike WILL fire up via starter botton. It seems to be a cold start problem and by cold i mean the bike was parked overnight, not freezing temperature i am in southern California.   Thanks

[MP]

have you checked the starter relay under the right side cover? it can burn the terminals off. try jumping across its terminals to see if that starts it.

[Valker]

Guessing here, but I'm assuming it won't even crank over when cold? Gotta be the starter button thing still not working. Did you raise the copper contacts up when cleaning it before?

[berto]

It does crank and i did clean and check the contacts. Will try a new starter-relay and report back.  Thanks   

[Valker]

Berto, since it cranks, I'm betting you aren't choking it properly. Push the choke lever down, then push it a lot harder for another 1/2" to 1". Now try to start it.

[NITRO]

Berto, since it cranks, I'm betting you aren't choking it properly. Push the choke lever down, then push it a lot harder for another 1/2" to 1". Now try to start it.

That doesn't explain why it will push start, though. Loose contact somewhere?

[berto]

Well..... went to look at the starter-relay and found the cap at the red wire that plugs in to the relay a bit melted. I could take the cap off put female blade connectors on the wires and plug it back in but it would leave the fuse out in the open. I am shure i am not the first, is there a remedy for this ?? 

[Valker]

Berto, since it cranks, I'm betting you aren't choking it properly. Push the choke lever down, then push it a lot harder for another 1/2" to 1". Now try to start it.

That doesn't explain why it will push start, though. Loose contact somewhere?

RPMs are a lot higher when push starting. There is a replacement cap. I'll look for it and edit this if I do.

Here's the info:
Starter Relay Repair

Relay Part # 35850-MT4-000
Wire loom repair kit - Part # 32110-ML8-305

This repair kit is actually for a 84-87 Gold Wing.

In the kit you get the following parts.
Connector Assy. Not like original but will work
Solder
Shrink tubing
Switch cover. - MUCH larger than the original.

The old one covered up the 30 amp fuse for protection from the elements.

This repair kit has a much larger boot that covers almost all of the starter relay and the connector.

You have to move 1 wire in the connector to the correct slot. It is the big red one, main wire. Move it to the empty slot and everything plugs in as before..........

[MP]

but, if it cranks, would not be the relay. bad relay would prevent cranking.

[cookiedough]

loose connection or choke linkage not opening up and working properly?   I know if my choke is not fully on all the way down, it will crank and crank when colder out and not start even if sitting overnight it will not start without choke.  Learned that the hard way when first bought the cycle spending 45 minutes in the parking lot cranking and cranking the starter at work looking like an idiot. 

[berto]

I am quite familiar with the choke operation. Will be replacing relay & plug anyway but I fear it may well be a lose connection. Any suggestion on the most common sites to check?        Thanks

[Valker]

I am quite familiar with the choke operation. Will be replacing relay & plug anyway but I fear it may well be a lose connection. Any suggestion on the most common sites to check?        Thanks

Ground wire from battery to engine case.

[berto]

Thanks Valker. Its bolt on pretty tight. Wanted to unbolt and clean but found it impossible to put a wrench on it, so i used WD40 still a no go.
Could the ICU unit (dyna3000) be the source of the problem??  Thanks