Hitchcocks Forum

Hi
I have just fitted a new battery to my 2005 bullet Electra X, Engine starts great but when i switch it of with ignition key the engine continues to turn over trying to start up.Use of emergency stop switch makes no difference. Only way I could stop it was to disconnect negative terminal on battery. New starter solenoid fitted last month. Any ideas of the cause would be appreciated.

Solonoid is staying activated or sticking.From memory there is a blue/white wire to the solonoid, pull that off and if it stops there is a feed in that wire somehow. If not the problem is in the solonoid

Sticking solenoid contacts, common fault and potentially quite dangerous...


Solenoid is typically mounted beside the battery, in such a way that it is possible for it to become filled with water, and the contacts to corrode and eventually weld them self together. (the solenoid contacts' area is marginal for the current that is drawn).


Buy a new solenoid, preferably one suitable for a jet-ski or similar (better waterproofing), and mount the unit 'upside down' so that water is unable to accumulate inside.


Ultimately, a battery isolation switch is needed to prevent it from happening again.

Surely the solenoid only activates the starter, not the ignition circuit...?

Stop it on the decompressor!

Stephen

Not a good idea to stop an Electra with the decomp, they can break the tappet, they are so thin. It also has nothing to do with the ignition circuit, ignition is turned off but solonoid is locked in and will not release, it won't fire as the ignition is off so it will just keep cranking. Even though it is a new solonoid they are pretty junky. If you need a new solonoid get one off a Japper, even a second hand Japper is much better than a new Indian one

Hi
Thanks for your help all.It was the solenoid. Swapped it over with a mates and electrics now work perfect.
Bit of a shocker at the time though not being able to switch the engine off.fortunately i was at home at the time so was able to deal with it. Might have been a different story had i been on the road.


Once again cheers for your advice.

Bit worrying that a one-month old solenoid fails, can you get your money back?>br>


Give our regards to Hartlepool.



A.

Hi well spotted Adrian not many people pick up on the Hpool link.
Hitchcock say this failure is not normal and have not had one behave like this before.
They have asked for it back to investigate further. Will let you know what they say.

I think I replaced mine with a generic Honda item from that well-known auction web site.



A.

To switch the engine off in an emergency, rip off the spark plug high- tension lead.