85 250es Big Red Electric issue

[Super350]

my 85 Sped has not wanted to start as of late with the electric start when its cold. Half the time you press the button the solenoid doesn't even make that clicking sound. Has spark and fuse is good. Once you do start it (with kicker) and it warms up the electric start system will work all day no problem. Park it and next day same thing, just wont fire initially w/ the electric system when cold. Any ideas?

[redsox]

i'd bet you checked, but could it be your battery isn't holding a charge? once you kick it and the stator charges then it'll start all day. leave it over night and it drains? just a quick, simple thought.

[Flyingw]

Yep, sounds like the cold zapped your battery.

[barnett468]

Hello Super350;


When it’s cold does it sometimes turn over and sometimes within just a few minutes?

I would check and clean connections at the battery, starter and relay etc.

If it turns over more slowly when it is cold it might gave a weak battery. Even a new battery can go bad in 4 – 6 months if it is left sitting.

A $3.00 battery hydrometer can tell you if its weak.

A load test can also tell you if its weak.

[Super350]

doesn't turn slower when cold, just doesn't turn at all. I didn't really check the battery as I'd be very surprised if it was dead, but then again I guess its possible. I wouldn't think its dead because its fairly new and I run this bike usually once a week anyways. And its not like it has time to charge at first start up, its literally right after started (3-5 mins) of warm up then the electric system will work

[barnett468]

how do you start it when the electric starter fails.

try jumping the starter solenoid when the button does not work. if it turns over the connections are dirty or the solenoid is likely bad imo.

[honda4h]

my bike rolls over quick and fast you can kill and battery trying starting it. even boasting it. it's like the kill switch is off. i do have spark. the second you kick it. it fires up. it's 85 this is i issue i have had for some time i have 4 250 big red's and tried swapping parts etc with no success. other then the wiring harness.

[kb0nly]

Have you tried swapping the solenoid? On my 200ES this winter i had that problem, i thought it was the battery but the smart charger said the battery was topped off and its a brand new battery i put in this past fall. And its a nice AGM battery as well. Turned out the solenoid once brought in the house was doing the same thing on the bench until it warmed up, after it warmed up a bit then it worked fine. Replaced the solenoid and no problems. The solenoid has grease in it that can get really stiff with cold and age, and also the coil can get weak, expansion and contraction with temp changes, etc.

Try a set of jumper cables and if it wont start with the push button take one side of the jumper cable and put it on the positive of the battery and then touch the other end to the starters cable terminal, does the starter spin now? If it does then its the solenoid, if not then i could be the starter is affected by the cold. Could be a bad winding or solder joint in it that makes contact again once its warmed up from the engine heat.

[roostin atc]

I will come over and check your battery today with a multimeter if you'll be around. I bet it's just a weak battery and doesn't like the cold. It was five below this morning.

[redsox]

I will come over and check your battery today with a multimeter if you'll be around. I bet it's just a weak battery and doesn't like the cold. It was five below this morning.

Craigbulance to the rescue!! you gotta come up with some type of costume!

[Super350]

hahaha...I have one but if the Craigbulance is in the area feel free....thanks for the input everybody!

KB- I was thinking about the solenoid like your explaining but I figured it really didn't "warm up" seeing how its so far removed from the actual engine (heat source). Funny thing is, its actually been warmer around here as of late (25-30) and a month ago when it was in the teens she was firing up no problem

I'll be messing with it today if I have time

[Super350]

looks like KB was right! I went out today and turned the key and pushed the button, nothing, no noise, movement, nothing.....I pushed it out into the sunlight an hour later pushed the button and the solenoid was clicking, another 20 mins it fired. So im thinking its a combo of the grease inside being cold and the solenoid in general getting weak.
thanks for all the input guys, Im sure this thread will help someone out in the future

[barnett468]

looks like KB was right! I went out today and turned the key and pushed the button, nothing, no noise, movement, nothing.....I pushed it out into the sunlight an hour later pushed the button and the solenoid was clicking, another 20 mins it fired. So im thinking its a combo of the grease inside being cold and the solenoid in general getting weak.



Post 6.


how do you start it when the electric starter fails.

try jumping the starter solenoid when the button does not work. if it turns over the connections are dirty or the solenoid is likely bad imo..................

[Super350]

ok you get gold stars too! :beer

[barnett468]

ok you get gold stars too! :beerI'd rather have the beer!

[Super350]

random question but is it true you cant jump start 250es trikes because of some safety mechanism that only lets it start in neutral?