Hexhead intermittent starter issue

[Beemerman59]

Bike is a 2008 1200GSA. For the last 6 months or so, I’ve had an intermittent starting issue. Sometimes the bike will start first time, at other times, it may start on the second or third push of the button. On the times that the starter doesn’t engage, I just get the click of the starter relay on its own.

It’s got a new battery, I’ve swapped relays (and fitted a new one anyway), and cleaned all the electrical connections I can find (I have no idea where the bikes main ground is!). I’ve just stripped the starter down, cleaned everything up, regreased etc. Refitting the starter has resulted in no change. Sometimes it starts and sometimes it’s just the relay clicking.

So before I bite the bullet and buy a new complete starter motor, do I have any other options to try? I can’t find a replacement solenoid on Motorworks - can you buy just a solenoid on its own from anywhere as I’m 99% sure it’s that? Is it worth checking the main ground connection which must be on the block somewhere under the tank? Anything else I can try or check?

 

[Mistacat]

I would check the wire from the relay to the spade terminal on the starter solenoid. I have seen this wire fail on 2008 GSA..
Just run a temporary wire.
First thing would be to jump it with an old screwdriver from the starter battery cable on the solenoid to the spade terminal on the solenoid.

 

[Santa-2512]

Run a cable direct from the starter ground to the battery, and another from the solenoid positive to the battery,

This may give you some improvement, but I'd hazard a guess, the starter is on the way out

The good news is

Bosch short = new starter will fit
Valeo long = new or reconditioned will fit
Bosch long = reconditioned will fit
Arrowhead long = new unit will fit

About £300-500 new used depending on where you pick one up from


If you purchase new from the mother ship, only the Bosch short is available if I recall

 

[Beemerman59]

I would check the wire from the relay to the spade terminal on the starter solenoid. I have seen this wire fail on 2008 GSA..
Just run a temporary wire.
First thing would be to jump it with an old screwdriver from the starter battery cable on the solenoid to the spade terminal on the solenoid.

Great idea to jump the starter - I hadn’t thought of that. So, just tried that out and hey presto, with a few sparks along the way, the starter motor fired the engine up 5 times in a row. So, I put the relay trigger wire back on and now the bike has just started up 10 times in a row with first press of the button.

I have no idea why, but that action of jumping the starter has somehow rejuvenated the solenoid - or so it seems. I’m on an enforced break from driving at the moment (nothing to do with his majesty’s pleasure) so I will have to wait and see if the problem returns when I can ride again.

Thanks for the advice.