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Message started by lg_fry on 08/16/14 at 13:22:46

Title: electrical gremlins at it as usual
Post by lg_fry on 08/16/14 at 13:22:46

So I'll give some background before I get into it, I joined the navy a year and a half ago and left my s40 to sit while I went off to boot camp and A school and finally to my duty station, so I've finally got it up here and started really working on it. When I left it sit, it didn't run, symptoms included not being able to get the battery to hold a charge and the starter/solenoid clicking really fast when trying to jump start it.
Got a new earthx closed cell battery, some parts and figured I'd get to work. First thing I did today was replace the rectifier because I remembered the charging issue. Tried to start, left the kill switch on, thought I needed a new starter solenoid, swapped in a universal, realized my goof, still wouldn't start, put back the original solenoid, still nothing. The guy at the parts store advised me to run a wire directly from the positive terminal of the battery to the starting lug on the starter for a second and if it spun, the starter is good. Did all that, starter spun, sounded good to go.
But here I am, solenoid is good, starter is good, motor spins, but it doesn't want to all come together. Tomorrow I'm going to borrow a buddy's fluke and run some continuity tests to try and chase down the gremlins but I figured I'd put my story out there to see if anyone had a clue.

Oh yeah, specs: 07 S40, chain drive, vm36, about 14k miles, never garaged, ridden hard and put away wet.

Thanks for reading and any input is appreciated.

Title: Re: electrical gremlins at it as usual
Post by Dave on 08/17/14 at 03:34:21

So at this point what is happening. I got a bit confused about what happens now.

Will the starter turn the engine over when you push the button?
If not......does the solenoid still click?

Dave

Title: Re: electrical gremlins at it as usual
Post by Seaweednh on 08/17/14 at 05:06:19

Neutral light on, clutch pulled in, ignition switch in middle position, run switch on?

Title: Re: electrical gremlins at it as usual
Post by lg_fry on 08/23/14 at 08:55:22

So what happens now: kickstand down, clutch in, not in neutral, press the button, headlight dims, solenoid clicks, starter doesn't turn.
Just wondered if there were any parts that might commonly fail that would cause this issue.

Title: Re: electrical gremlins at it as usual
Post by Serowbot on 08/23/14 at 09:03:36

First thing to check is the battery... before you go chasing gremlins...
Try a jump from a car battery (car engine not running)...
If it starts,... you know the problem...

Symptoms sound like weak battery... (never assume a new battery is fully charged or even functional)...