How do i test solenoid on my 86' Harley ?

Question

bike was rebuilt about 5 years ago, i beleive moter is a 1300. i get a clicking when i try to start it, usually from starter, but i also heard it coming from the rectifier. the batery is good but drains when i ride

Answer 1

Hook up a volt meter to the system, if it reads less than 13.6 amps, the systems not charging. Also check the battery, may have a bad cell as well.

Answer 2

you don't say which model harley, but they are basically the same., the handle bar switch energizes the relay, the relay clicks and energizes the solenoid, the solenoid energizes the starter.you have to start with a fully charged battery , to test the realy, see if you are getting power at the small terminal on the solenoid, if you are , the relay is good.that wire comes from the relay and that is what you might hear click. if you are getting power to the solenoid, check the solenoid by checking power at the shot er of the large terminals with the switch held in, this is the wire to the starter ,not the one from the battery. if it doesn't get power when the small terminal is,then the solenoid may be bad.check all the wires for clean tight connections, especially the ends of the large battery cables, the connectors often corrode and come loose from the cable. often times when I take the cover off an old solenoid, I can turn around the brass washer that makes the connection and get a couple years more service out of it.usually they burn out from a low battery. it takes more amps at 10 volts then atb 12 volts to start the bike, the higher amperage causes more heat, burning the contacts in the relay or solenoid, so listen to Walter and check your charging system and battery too!

Answer 3

If your bike is discharging while riding then you have a charging system and/or a battery problem.

disconnect your regulator from the stator and touch each terminal from the regulator with a test light if either one makes the test lite.  If it lites up then the regulator is bad.

now take an ohm meter with one lead to ground and touch each of the terminal from the stator with the probe if your meter shows continuity then the stator is bad.

connect the regulator back up and start the bike and hook a volt meter with it set to volts DC up to your battery while the bike is idling.

For your evo you should be getting 12.9 or higher (preferably higher)

Rev the bike up to 3,000 rpm's and watch the volt meter.

At 3k you should have less than 15 volts (any higher then the regulator is trash).  If the meter raises normally then the battery is fine but if it jumps .4 volt or more when it rises then the battery has a weak cell and needs to be replaced (if the battery is more than 3 years old then I would replace it anyway even if it checks good because its going to leave you stranded sooner rather than later)