starting problems

ats1080 · 10-08-2008, 10:09 AM

first off, i have an 86 vfr700. my bike will not start unless i bypass the little black can like thing with the fuses. if i short out the two posts on the top it will start, but if i try to use the starter switch it will not. i think my problem is in the thing with the fuses. so what is it and how can i troubleshoot this?

sorry about the vague discription, but i dont know the actual name of the thing im talking about. its a little above and to the left of the battery.

Slothrop · 10-08-2008, 11:34 AM

I'm guessing that the black can like thing is your starter relay. Normally, when you hit the starter button, it closes the relay and the current flows from the battery, through the relay, to the starter motor. That way the current doesn't have to go through the switch, which would get fried. The problem could be the relay, the switch, the wiring or a fuse. Or something else... :P

HTH - Paul in MI

ats1080 · 10-09-2008, 06:34 AM

i checked the fuse already....thats good. im not quite sure about the switch itself though. ill have to take it apart this weekend. anything in particular i should be looking for?

Slothrop · 10-09-2008, 06:58 AM

Not sure about your switch on an '86. My '96 has two parts to it; one part closes when you push the button, to start the motor; the other part opens, to cut out the headlights. Do you have a voltmeter? And a circuit diagram for the bike would be really helpful also.

ats1080 · 10-18-2008, 09:58 AM

yeah i got a voltmeter. ill check that out then.

squirrelman · 10-18-2008, 12:03 PM

use your ohmeter to check for continuity in the STARTER RELAY across the yellow/red and green/red wires going into it. replace if no continuity.

also touch a wire from the + battery terminal to the yellow/red terminal (bike must be in neutral) and listen for click. if relay clicks but does not power starter, replace relay.

also test starter switch on right handlebar at the plugin connection.

get the Honda Service manual for your bike.

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10-08-2008, 10:09 AM	#1 (permalink)
ats1080 Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Last Online: 10-18-2008 09:58 AM Location: Lancaster PA, USA My Ride: 1986 Honda VFR700 View my Photo Gallery Posts: 63 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	starting problems first off, i have an 86 vfr700. my bike will not start unless i bypass the little black can like thing with the fuses. if i short out the two posts on the top it will start, but if i try to use the starter switch it will not. i think my problem is in the thing with the fuses. so what is it and how can i troubleshoot this? sorry about the vague discription, but i dont know the actual name of the thing im talking about. its a little above and to the left of the battery.

10-18-2008, 12:03 PM	#6 (permalink)
squirrelman Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Last Online: Today 03:29 PM Location: barf-a-load, ny - Find Me! My Ride: '86 VFR 700Fs (3)/ '97 VFR 750F/ '88 NT 650 HAWK (3)/ '86 Yamaha Radian/ '66 Yamaha YL-1/ '88 VTR 250 (2)/ '73 CB 125 View my Photo Gallery Posts: 973 Thanks: 7 Thanked 36 Times in 36 Posts	use your ohmeter to check for continuity in the STARTER RELAY across the yellow/red and green/red wires going into it. replace if no continuity. also touch a wire from the + battery terminal to the yellow/red terminal (bike must be in neutral) and listen for click. if relay clicks but does not power starter, replace relay. also test starter switch on right handlebar at the plugin connection. get the Honda Service manual for your bike. __________________ " Goin' to Hell in a bucket, but at least I'm enjoyin' the ride....... " "It's no use, mate, the bottom's fallen out......."

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10-08-2008, 11:34 AM	#2 (permalink)
Slothrop Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Last Online: 10-26-2008 12:57 PM Location: northern lower Michigan My Ride: '96 VFR750F being ridden '58 BMW R60 getting fixed '70 BSA A65T cafe almost finished Posts: 35 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	I'm guessing that the black can like thing is your starter relay. Normally, when you hit the starter button, it closes the relay and the current flows from the battery, through the relay, to the starter motor. That way the current doesn't have to go through the switch, which would get fried. The problem could be the relay, the switch, the wiring or a fuse. Or something else... :P HTH - Paul in MI

10-09-2008, 06:34 AM	#3 (permalink)
ats1080 Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Last Online: 10-18-2008 09:58 AM Location: Lancaster PA, USA My Ride: 1986 Honda VFR700 View my Photo Gallery Posts: 63 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	i checked the fuse already....thats good. im not quite sure about the switch itself though. ill have to take it apart this weekend. anything in particular i should be looking for?

10-09-2008, 06:58 AM	#4 (permalink)
Slothrop Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Last Online: 10-26-2008 12:57 PM Location: northern lower Michigan My Ride: '96 VFR750F being ridden '58 BMW R60 getting fixed '70 BSA A65T cafe almost finished Posts: 35 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Not sure about your switch on an '86. My '96 has two parts to it; one part closes when you push the button, to start the motor; the other part opens, to cut out the headlights. Do you have a voltmeter? And a circuit diagram for the bike would be really helpful also.

10-18-2008, 09:58 AM	#5 (permalink)
ats1080 Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Last Online: 10-18-2008 09:58 AM Location: Lancaster PA, USA My Ride: 1986 Honda VFR700 View my Photo Gallery Posts: 63 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	yeah i got a voltmeter. ill check that out then.