Starter Motor Issue

[jkjoller]

This one has me perplexed. Working on an early (1962) CA77 Dream I bought about a month ago.
When the key is turned to ANY position (except "0"), the starter rolls over (or turns on). So I have to turn the key back to "0" to make it stop. I believe the starter motor should only turn over if you press the handlebar button, not when the key is turned. FYI, the starter button on the right grip does not work.
Does it sound like someone previous to me wired the starter incorrectly? Or could the solenoid be stuck? If it is the solenoid, how do you "unstick" it?

Does this make sense?

thanks for any advice.

[DJM]

Sounds like a wiring fault,

On the starter solenoid you will find two small wires, disconnect the yellow/red striped wire and see if the problem persists, likely it won't.

If the starter doesn't run when you do this, reconnect the wires, look inside the headlight bucket and you will find another connector on the same yellow/red wire. Disconnect tis and repeat the test. If the starter doesn't run like this it proves the wiring harness itself is OK.

Most likely cause of the problem is that the wire to the starter button is grounded somewhere, probabaly trapped in the switch itself or somewhere in the handlebar area.

If the solenoid itself was stuck closed the starter motor would run as soon as the battery was connected so it seems the solenoid is OK.

[Seadog]

I’d be looking at the starter button first and the wiring from it to the headlight bucket. Just my 2 cents worth.

[jkjoller]

Not sure if this is the final solution other than it got the problem sort of fixed. I disconnected the yellow/red wire coming out from the solenoid (looks like its the same wire going to the start button) (THANKS DJM!). Now it starts but only with a kick. Maybe the start button is not wired correctly or its causing a short?

Thanks for advice.

[DJM]

Glad to have helped.

As Seadog suggests the most likely cause of the problem lies in the starter button itself, not much room inside the switch and easy for a wire to become trapped, come adrift or the insulation get nicked.

Several small bits in there plus a spring and it can all fly apart if you're not careful.

Safest bet is to remove the switch from the bike and if the problem isn't obvious do any dismantling inside an old shoe box or similar which will contain any errant bits!

Good luck.

[catterar]

Test the disconnected red/yellow wire with a multi-meter for a short to ground.

[catterar]

Test the disconnected red/yellow wire with a multi-meter for a short to ground.