1500gl-Hard Starting

I'm needing tips on how to correct a newly purchased hard starting 88
GL1500 with 76k on the od,seems to run well when warmed up but starting
can be a big issue especially after only a few tries the volt meter
drops to below 10 volts and the starter just drags..I had the the batter
load tested the tech says was fine but I have my doubts since it drops
down so fast after just a few tries. Anyway,correcting the starting will
certainly help big time so any ideas I can do myself will be appreciated
and save me $$.

My starting routine in 50 degree weather is full choke and no throtttle
with usually 3 or 4 sec cranking..after only a few of these the battery
drops.

 

Unfortunautly it is still hard to start even with a full charge..I think
your right about the battery though,I'll recheck it and prepare to buy a
new one.

 

HI,

A 'Starting" suggestion, or two - or three, or etc.....:

Clean the battery terminals - lube w/electrolyte grease (sparingly)
Clean the battery GROUND wire end and the ground bolt and/or bracket that
the bolt goes through (lube as above)
Clean the starter solenoid ends - (lube)
Clean the starter solenoid contacts (if available)
Clean the starter solenoid to starter cable ends (lube)

If possible REMOVE the starter:
Clean where the starter mounts (lube as above)
Clean the starter mounting bolts (lube as above)
Check the starter brushes and brush springs.... (do NOT lube) :>)

If you can see a pattern..CLEAN - CLEAN - CLEAN ANYTHING that is in the
charging - battery - starting circuit...

The wings (others too) need all the help they can get in the starting
area... and ANY rust, etc. in that path WILL lead to a 'voltage drop' hence
a poor starting issue.

This has worked for me - the cycle starts GREAT - spins the starter like
new -

YMMV

FWIW consider the new "jell batteries" - no water to boil out - .... holds
charge better (WFM)

Hope this helps.... Good Luck -

The above is MY opinion and others will vary... but THE issue at hand is to
HAVE FUN!!!

Take care = John b - Wisconsin Cheesehead - '83 GL1100A

 

the engine won't fire if the batter doesn't stay above a certain floor
level. replacement batteries at wal mart are about $50. clean the
terminals on both ends of the cables first (battery and starter
solenoid). check the main fuse. it can be cracked and causing problems
without you even knowing it. some replace the main fuse (flat metal
strip) with a more standard auto fuse so it's easier to replace, more
common when on the road, and easier to trouble shoot.

 

Try jump starting from a car battery, if it starts smartly, you need a new
battery.

 

If the battery drops down to 10V after just a few starting attempts,
then the battery is definitely toast. That may not be the only
problem, but to really do an accurate diagnosis, you're going to have
to fix the battery problem before you start trying other solutions.

Ten volts may not seem too bad, considering a fully-charged battery is
only about 12.5 volts, but 10V for a battery that's not under load
means it's essentially flat.

 

Actually, it's the brushes that wear out. For a couple of bucks each
they can be replaced.

 

new plug wires. HT circuit doesn't last that long.

 

I'd really recommend an AGM (absorbed-glass-mat) battery if one is
available in an appropriate size for your bike. Nothing to spill, no
venting worries, they can't freeze, and they hold their charge for a
LONG time, even if you don't keep them on a charger. I really think
they represent the future of battery technology for cars and bikes.

 

I think someone mentioned cleaning all the wire connections and
terminals too and that was good advice.
--


Don Binns


2000 - Yamaha Venture Millennium Edition
84 - Virago 1000

You start with a bag full of luck and an empty bag of experience.
The trick is to fill the bag of experience before you empty the
bag of luck

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Your Honda shop will be able to look them up for you. If you do the job
it takes a little soldering skill. I had mine replaced when I did the
42,000 mile major service. Remember to blow out the accumulated dust
from the are when in there.

 

Nope... the alternator. Lets the battery get undercharged/deeply
discharged and you get dead batteries or hard starts.