HELP! Won't start!

[pwmac2005]

HELP! I've fallen and I can't get up.

Clutch replacement on a '99 model LT. Got the gearbox back in, crossmember, swingarm. Starter leads are tight. Won't start. And the reverse lever will not engage.

While re-installing the battery, I had the battery turned the wrong way around. Did some welding when I tried to connect the posative leads to the negative terminal. Do you think I have fried the Motronic or is there a fuse I can replace? Symptoms are.. Everything turns on.. but the water, battery and oil lights stay on. Normally I think, they come on momentarilly and then go off. No reaction at all when I depress the starter button. As though reverse was engaged. Reverse light is not on. Neutral light is on.

Also, the reverse lever will not engage in neutral. I hesitate to take everything apart again, to check the starter engagement, before trying to start it. Should I be able to engage reverse while it is not running??

I would have thought the reverse detector would be my problem but I am bothered by the water, battery and oil lights. Can someone please tell me if these dash lights stay on prior to pressing the start button?

Thanks,

Paul - Houston

[messenger13]

Yes, you should be able to put the bike into Reverse, even when it's not running, as long as it's in Neutral. You may have to spin the rear tire a little.

I think you may have fried the starter relay.

[MolenaarD]

These three lights stay on (on my 99LT) until the bike is started; then the only remaining lights are neutral and ABS.

[MolenaarD]

A couple of facts I gather from other posts:
1) Won't start unless in neutral, and
2) Won't go into reverse unless in neutral, so since
3) Your bike won't start, and
4) Your bike won't go into reverse
You didn't mention if your neutral light was on along with the temp, btty, and oil.

Silly question, but are you sure you are in neutral?

[MolenaarD]

I take it back, you stated your neutral light WAS on...my bad!!!

[pwmac2005]

I like the idea of the starter relay. I'm going to get the final drive on and rock the wheel to see if reverse will engage. Anyway to electrically check the starter relay?

Paul - Houston

[pwmac2005]

OK. I've got the final drive back on and reverse engages with a little rocking. That is a good thing. As for my starting problem... can't find a reference to the starter relay in the CD manual. Where might I look for that?

Paul - Houston

[messenger13]

OK. I've got the final drive back on and reverse engages with a little rocking. That is a good thing. As for my starting problem... can't find a reference to the starter relay in the CD manual. Where might I look for that?This would be a GREAT time to learn to use the Search feature on this forum. Scroll up until you see the word 'SEARCH' between the words 'New Activity' and 'Quick Links'. Click on Search and type "Starter Relay" into that block, and you will have more than enough information at your fingertips than you can handle.

Not trying to tick ya off here . . . trying to help. Honest! :)

[pwmac2005]

Great idea messenger, but I located the problem since I last visited.

There are 2 micro switches on the reverse shaft. One is depressed when in the reverse position, the other is depressed when in the forward position. The fwd pos switch was not being depressed. Bike starts fine and the new clutch feels great.

Thanks, as usual, for being out there for us newbies!

Paul - Houston

[messenger13]

Glad to hear she's running again!

[pwmac2005]

Thanks to Messager13 and everyone who helped with my recent clutch change. Finished putting the tupperware on today and took a test ride. Works like it was new. I'll do it again sometime, if need be, now that I know what I'm doing. Great learning experience. I destroyed the backup aid switch removing it. I'll be more careful with that next time. $157 for a new one.

Anyway.. Total replacement cost $700 rather than the $1600 the dealer wanted. But I understand why they get that much. Quite a job.

Thanks again !