Battery drain. Bike wont turn over

richard-7

richard-7

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Feb 24, 2014
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Just had an interesting one come in. A 961 clicked with the button a few clicks but wouldnt turn over. The owner figured battery was dead. Put on charge for an hour. Nothing. Over night lit gauges but wont turn over. He pulled the tank. battery wont hold a charge. He got a new battery. Bike wont turn over but gauges lit.

After 2 weeks of frustration he brought it to us.

Ended up the starter solenoid welded in the closed position and dead short with the key on.

We were able to use our ONE07 solenoid tool and replace and SET the contacts without removing the starter. Bike was up and running in less than one hour. Owner bought the tool with the three spare contacts. Incase this happens to his harleys or Norton again.

Keep this story in mind if ever you experience a similar issue.
 
richard-7 said:
Just had an interesting one come in. A 961 clicked with the button a few clicks but wouldnt turn over. The owner figured battery was dead. Put on charge for an hour. Nothing. Over night lit gauges but wont turn over. He pulled the tank. battery wont hold a charge. He got a new battery. Bike wont turn over but gauges lit.

After 2 weeks of frustration he brought it to us.

Ended up the starter solenoid welded in the closed position and dead short with the key on.

We were able to use our ONE07 solenoid tool and replace and SET the contacts without removing the starter. Bike was up and running in less than one hour. Owner bought the tool with the three spare contacts. Incase this happens to his harleys or Norton again.

Keep this story in mind if ever you experience a similar issue.
Click to expand...

Good again Richard-7 !
 
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Good one. What year was the bike. Every once in a while, I get that. A click, nothing. Reset the key....start.....vroom. Don't even crank. Just starts. Remember, Norton got stuck with a bad batch of starters around when they started to export. Mine was one. Other than that rare glitch, and I do mean rare, the newer one works like a champ.
 
2014 Bike. Its very common to weld. Especially if they are not set right. Hence the tool for setting them. If they are not set correctly then its easier to spark and weld because there isnt enough contact. Maybe some of you have heard of hitting the old truck starter with a hammer to get it to turn over. Same issue.
 
richard-7 said:
2014 Bike. Its very common to weld. Especially if they are not set right. Hence the tool for setting them. If they are not set correctly then its easier to spark and weld because there isnt enough contact. Maybe some of you have heard of hitting the old truck starter with a hammer to get it to turn over. Same issue.
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Good explanation. Having to compare with an old truck starter......sigh. Not so good. LOL:rolleyes:
 
This begs the question, however ... why is the solenoid on these bikes so damn delicate in the first place? I mean, aside from the ignition coils, the solenoid for any vehicle is usually the most reliable electrical component. Because it is so simple. I've come to expect any car will hit the junkyard before the solenoid ever fails. Am I living a sheltered life or what? if so, somebody enlighten me.
 
Norton doesnt make the solenoid. Not sure who does but they don’t last is a known. Could be by year or batch of starters. Depends really on the starter brand. There are different levels of quality in everything. Perhaps the dealer Norton is getting the starter from is ripping off Norton and supplying sub par starters instead to make a quick dollar. Happens in automotive all the time. A supplier switches to make more money and doesnt tell them. Does it for a while and switches back hoping not to get caught. Happens too much and basically ruins it for the end user.

Sad but true.
 
Britfan60 said:
Next question....where do you get the solenoid and what part number is it?
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You don’t need to replace anything not broken. The starter and solenoid will be fine. And if AND when it isn’t, go to CNW and get the starter solenoid rebuild tool that comes with 3 new sets of contacts. Just replace the contacts not the solenoid. Cant get any easier. No need to remove the starter or solenoid at all. Just the solenoid cap and replace contacts. Don’t do it just to do it tho!!! Nothing to gain doing that. Wait until its an issue. Then repair.
 
richard-7 said:
You don’t need to replace anything not broken. The starter and solenoid will be fine. And if AND when it isn’t, go to CNW and get the starter solenoid rebuild tool that comes with 3 new sets of contacts. Just replace the contacts not the solenoid. Cant get any easier. No need to remove the starter or solenoid at all. Just the solenoid cap and replace contacts. Don’t do it just to do it tho!!! Nothing to gain doing that. Wait until its an issue. Then repair.
Click to expand...

I don't fix what ain't broke, but Richard, that is totally awesome. You are fabricating the contacts but they cant be bought on the open market? Just what kind of superheros are you guys??
 
Well, you could buy the contact just
Like we are. But>>>> the tool is the key to do it while the starter is on the bike. Otherwise you need a press and the starter off the bike.
 
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