QuestionI have a 1984 Honda Nighthawk S. When I tried to start this bike this spring, of course, the battery was dead. I charged the battery overnight and the next morning, the engine turned over fine, but the motor would not start. I decided not to mess with charging the battery because it was old, so I bought a new one. I followed the instructions on filling the new battery with the acid, then charging it. When I put the new battery in, all the lights, horn and electrical things seem to have plenty of juice, but when I hit the start button, it just clicks, the motor won't turn over. The clicking noise is coming from what appears to be a solnoid located next to the battery. Might this solnoid need replaced?
AnswerHi Todd,
A clicking starter motor solenoid usually indicates a weak or defective battery, and/or a loose or corroded connection within the circuit.
Check battery voltage, check for loose or corroded connections and conductors.
Avoid assumptions that the battery is fully charged because it's new. Avoid replacing parts on a hunch. Instead, verify the source or cause of the symptoms and repair the problem. Verify battery and parts are working properly or not, and then replace them accordingly.
Check the carburetors for evidence of varnishing. Varnishing is common with periods of storage and requires thoroughly cleaning the carbs to restore proper performance.
Respectfully,
Mark Shively
