Wilsons Sandbox

In a message dated 7/20/04 2:46:24 AM Eastern Daylight Time, bob@... writes:

> My '88 KLR650, 40,000+ miles, will not always start, i.e., the > starter will not always turn over. I suspect the problem exists > between the starter switch and relay.

The relay seems to be working > (I hear a click when I apply power) Do you apply power via the starter button or a hot wire to the relay terminal that leads to the starter switch?

> and the starter will turn over > when when the relay terminals (battery and starter) are jumped.

This indicates bad contacts, probably crusty & pitted so contact is not always made even when the coil pulls them together. Since 1988 and 40k miles it may just be wear & tear. Try a new starter relay first. There is probably an automotive substitute that has been used. Any ideas out there? Any

> > reason I should not wire a push button switch direct to the relay > input? How should I power the switch?

Sounds like you want to add another relay? As I mentioned, the problem > comes and goes. Might as well fix it right.

> > Might the problem be somewhere else?

Funky starter motor? Don M Atlanta, GA A16 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

In a message dated 2004-07-19 11:46:28 PM Pacific Daylight Time, bob@... writes:

> > My '88 KLR650, 40,000+ miles, will not always start, i.e., the > starter will not always turn over. I suspect the problem exists > between the starter switch and relay. The relay seems to be working > (I hear a click when I apply power) and the starter will turn over > when when the relay terminals (battery and starter) are jumped. Any > reason I should not wire a push button switch direct to the relay > input? How should I power the switch? As I mentioned, the problem > comes and goes. The clutch and kickstand lock outs have been > disconnected. > > Might the problem be somewhere else? > >

Similar problem on my bike turned out to be a broken wire on the starter button. Pat G'ville, Nv [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "byoungquist1945" wrote:

> My '88 KLR650, 40,000+ miles, will not always start, i.e., the > starter will not always turn over. I suspect the problem exists > between the starter switch and relay. The relay seems to be

working

> (I hear a click when I apply power) and the starter will turn over > when when the relay terminals (battery and starter) are jumped.

Any

> reason I should not wire a push button switch direct to the relay > input? How should I power the switch? As I mentioned, the problem > comes and goes. The clutch and kickstand lock outs have been > disconnected. > > Might the problem be somewhere else? > > Thanks, > > Bob Youngquist > San Diego

I've had this happen twice on my 94 with the safties disconnected. The first time it did exactly what you are mentioning and it got worse and worse until it wouldn't start at all. Turned out that the relay for those safeties was going out. So I pulled that out too and tossed it over my shoulder. The other time it happened it was because there was a loose wire on my battery post. Not much, just a little loose. Grab your batt wires and try very hard to move them. If they move at all, tighten the little suckers up good. If that doesn't cure it, take out the safety switch relay that is behind the black plastic cover on the left side of your bike, where your kick stand safety switch used to be, and jumper it. I bet that your problem goes away then. If not, then shoot some WD 40 up into the bottom of your starter switch in that little hole to flush out dirt and let it dry. MrMoose A8 (Barbie and Ken special)

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "JRC" wrote:

> A maladjusted compression release can act as a starting problem.

Try

> rocking the bike in gear if it doesn't start. If that helps, look > at the compression release.

Please explain