Hitchcocks Forum

Before I even start this I know that I must have done something silly!
Bike is a 2009 EFI Electra. Not been ridden for a month. Tonight battery seemed lethargic, so out with jump leads. Positive to positive, negative to mirror stalk. Start Fiesta and after a few minutes on with bike ignition wait required period then press starter. RE churns over very eagerly but doesn't start, so thumb off starter button, but starter continues to churn. Turned of ignition, starter continues; take out keys - still churns on. Take off jump leads - still goes on turning, and only stops when I disconnect the battery. And before you ask, no, the kick stand was not down, and the ignition cut out switch was in "on."
I reconnected the jump leads and let the car run for some time, revving from time to time. Tried to start again with same result.
So what did I do wrong, and is this going to be expensive?
P.S. Couldn't waste a lovely evening so took my (start 2nd kick) 1953 Dot for a lovely dawdle round the local lanes.

Starter solenoid stuck? It's not an expensive item to replace. A.

Starter relay stuck on?

cure for stuck solenoid used to be a swift belt with a belting tool of your choice

I once had a well known (now defunct) BMW dealer set fire to my bike because of a similar problem. They cranked the bike over so much that the battery voltage started to drop resulting in the starter solenoid chattering. The chattering resulted in the contacts arcing which welded them together. They were not quick enough in disconnecting the battery and the wiring overheated and started to burn. At least yours didn't get that far but check for heat damage to the wires from the battery to the starter.

I am a little concerned that you put the earth to the mirror stalk. Assuming that it shares the same housing as the switches, is it possible that it has earthed through the starter switch and caused damage especially if there is not a good electrical connection between switch housing and bars. (Earth to the engine casing may have been wiser). If you remove the thin wire from the solenoid and re-connect the battery cable it would suggest damage the switch if the starter stops spinning.

Systems Normal! It is a design feature?


Get a solenoid designed for a Water-craft/Jet-ski. They cope better with moisture situations. The stock one does not have a water drain, is mounted the wrong way up, and is prone to 'welding' of the contacts.


When the WHACK with the hammer (what ever) fails to disengage the solenoid, and by now everything is starting to get hot, and trying to juggle with the decomp kill-switch etc.
I ALWAYS carry a pair of insulated HDuty Side-Cutters when riding an E start Bullet so that I can cut the power lead in just such an event.

Thanks one and all. John M I fear that you may well have a point there! Anyway this all getting a bit out of my league, so a call to my local bike shop is imminent, I'm afraid. If you are interested I'll post the outcome. But thanks again for you time. Stephen

You should check the wiring to the right hand switchgear - it may have been heat damaged and if so you'll have problems it may be fine though!

Thanks for the thought Michael (I think!) I attached the negative earth to the left hand mirror stalk, which I hope will make a difference. In retrospect I realise that that was a mistake. By the way, when I tried to reconnect the negative lead to the battery (I had removed it to stop the starter motor) I got a tremendous amount of sparking and so quickly desisted. The bike is now booked in for professional attention! Almost makes me wish that I had stuck to my old kick start only Classic 500!