Starter won't disengage

[Graystoke]

Need some help on this one.
Late last fall went to go for a ride on a warm day and the battery was down so the bike wouldn't start. Shook it off and later took the battery out of the bike(K12LT) and into the house. Recently completed charging the battery and yesterday went to replace it in the bike. Connected pos. cable and immediately upon connecting neg. cable, the starter began cranking, no key, no switch, no nuthin'. I quickly inserted the key and turned it on and the bike started immediately, but a telltale whine told me the starter was still engaged. I then turned the key off and had to disconnect the neg. cable on the battery in order to get the starter to quit.
Where do I look first? Could there be a quick fix on this one?

-thanks to any and all responses!!

Graystoke
'00 K12LT (Moby D)

[bustedknuckles]

The only sure fix for this is to replace the starter relay. The low voltage condition of the battery has caused the starter relay contacts to weld themselves together. I see you have a 00 model. In the years following the starter system was refitted with another relay that was not prone to stick in this manner. This was a problem with earlier model LT's. The starter relay is under the fuel tank along with several others.

[Dick]

For some more info on your situation, check out the 5 'similar threads' at the bottom of this page. Good luck.

[Graystoke]

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction, Dick. And thanks also to the few "experienced" ones who suggested hitting the start button a few quick times. I tried that and luckily dislodged the relay. Now the big question is, do I necessarily _have_ to replace the relay module, upgrade or otherwise?? Is it permanently damaged or weakened?

Again, thanks to any and all replies!!

Graystoke
'00 K12LT (Moby D)

[wilbar00c]

You should only spend your money on a new battery and a correct (for type of battery) charger. I still run the old type relay, and have since Nov 99, on my early 2000. Some time when the gas tank is removed for another reason, you can replace the relay.