Hitchcocks Forum

Hi all, my 2006 Electra XS has always been a good starter. I start it first with the kick and then use the electric for the rest of the day.
So today it starts second kick and I switched it off after a few mins, when I tried the electric - nothing! No click, lights don't dim, nothing. The battery is good, the sprag is good and all other electrics are working. Is this a fuse that's gone or a wire in the headlight shell, or something else?
What should I check for?
Many thanks in advance.

Stu,
First port of call check the solonoid

You're right Norm, fuses ok, wires in headlight shell ok. So how do I check the solonoid? Is it the one next to the battery?
Cheers for your help.

There isn't a second fuse anywhere, is there? This caught me out on my 2007 Classic some years ago.....
Good luck, Chris

Try again with the lights switched off. My Electra and several others I know of all suffer this problem of intermittent dead starter syndrome with the lights on. Turn them off and it will probably go. Don't know what causes it!

Stu,
There is a second point that may give trouble but I have only had that happen once and that was the start button. I gave it a clean and it was fine. Solonoid is easier to test and they were dodgy from day one because they were fitted upsidedown and they aren't waterproof. You can test it with the bike in neutral, on the centre stand, sidestand up and with a piece of wire stripped both ends bridge( only briefly) across the 2 large terminals on top of the solonoid and if the starter attempts to kick in the solonoid is the problem. Then you have to find the cause, with the ignition on and a test light on the blue/white wire on the solonoid, push the start button and the light should come on.The red wire should have power to it all the time with the ignition switched on. If these wires check out, the solonoid is shot.

I've had my share of solenoid trouble in the beginning of the Electra ownership... Finally I took one apart and found evidence of water. Next one I covered with plenty of RTV-silicone and plain sailing since. Annoying but at least simple to fix (as I am no electrical wizard.

Hi guys, thanks for your replies. This is what I have found:
Bridged the terminals on the solonoid and the starter turned the engine over.
Disconnected the connector block with small wires from the switch to the solonoid. Set meter to ohms, needle deflects when press starter button so presume that is all ok? Bridged the terminals on the switch wire to the solonoid - no response. Can I presume that the switch side of the solonoid is dead?
Grateful for any further advice...

Stu,
Solonoid is shot,Have a scratch around and see if you can find one off a Japper, they are better quality and it can help if you wrap the solonoid in plastic or seal it all up with silicone. Better still is to mount it with the terminals to the bottom to stop water getting in. To do this you have to mod the wires a bit

Thanks for assistance gents. I'm going to look for a replacement solenoid tomorrow when the shops reopen.
Norm, you are a font of knowledge, as usual.
Does anyone know if our hosts supply this item (can't see one online) or which is the best Japanese manufacturers dealer to contact with a replacement which is a simple swoop-over?
Disapointed that solenoid has failed after only 5000 miles though - bike has only got wet once. That's Electra ownership, I guess!