How do I know if my starter is bad in an 82 Suzuki 850gl? It makes a clicking noise and the battery is good.?

Question

When I use the electric starter I hear a clicking sound like a dead battery but the battery is fine. This is a Motorcycle

Answer 1

The clicking sound is the starter solenoid (the battery positive cable goes to it) not opperating properly.
Feel the solenoid and push the starter buttom.
With a large screw driver, touch both large terminals on the solenoid at the same time (careful of sparks).
That will by-pass the solenoid. If the starter turns, replace the solenoid.

Answer 2

Hello, my name is Greg and I'm a professional mechanic but don't have much experience with motorcycles. I would first suspect the starter motor is bad. Assuming you have a remote relay for the starter, the click is the starter gear popping out to engage the "flywheel" or whatever a motorcycle has, which means the relay is good. I would bet the contacts to spin the motor internally are bad. As the starter gear pops out, thats when the contacts touch to put juice to turn the motor itself. Good luck

Answer 3

if you hear a clicking noise and your battery is good, you have a ground in the positive battery wire. just replace and try. I had the exact same thing happen to me last month. I replaced the possitive wire to the battery, and it works fine...

Answer 4

1

Answer 5

Sounds to me that with a 25 year old jap bike you should keep the battery and throw out the bike.