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250 wont start, starter spins wont engage

12K views 15 replies 8 participants last post by  SoakedKarma  
#1 ·
Hello, I just bought this 2004 honda rebel 250 with 1100 miles. the guy popped the clutch to start it for me. said it needed a new battery.

got it home,
1. replaced battery.
when press starter button the solenoid clicks, headlight turns off no starter spin.
that wasnt it.
2. I put on a new starter. button still just clicks. that wasnt it.

3. I bypassed the solenoid switch and the starter spins . no engagement.

Im thinking it needs a new starter clutch, but i dont understand the starter button just clicking maybe it needs a new solenoid, as well?
 
#2 ·
Welcome to the forum!

Occasionally, some batteries are bad out of the box. First, try jumping it from a car battery, but be sure the car engine is not running. This will ensure it isn't battery related.
 
#4 ·
You could be right about the starter clutch being bad. If you get a click when pressing start, the start relay is probably OK. You may have a bad connection to the battery, or maybe even a bad new battery. Jumper from a car to verify battery as suggested. If the starter doesn't spin you have a wiring or start relay issue.
 
#5 ·
Welcome to the forum
new batteries need to be charged at a 2 amps or less rate for 5 to 10 hours
higher charge rate can damage the cells

connect car battery direct to starter momentarily.. assure you are in Neutral before doing so.
That should indicate whether you need a starter clutch or not.
Clicking indicates a voltage drop so severe that solenoid/relay windings can't hold the circuit closed.
Check those cables close for corrosion that may have formed hidden under insulation rotting away the wires..
 
#7 ·
And if you jump it from a car, as stated several times above, it will eliminate the battery as the cause. It doesn't cost a thing to do it, and it rules out some problems. Your new bike battery may not have the amps it takes to spin the starter fast enough. If you didn't charge the battery before installing, that could be the problem.
 
#8 ·
I did what everyone suggested.
I charged the battery with my motobat charger all night.
I jumped the starter with my car the starter spins like a top.
thats not it.

I did however pop the clutch and it started right up.

when i pushed it slightly thinking that it was in neutral I heard slight clanging I am thinking that the chain to the starter if off for some reason. Im going to pull the cover tonight to see. after I figure out how to disconnect the linkage.
 
#13 ·
I jumped the starter with my car the starter spins like a top.
ok, if the starter jumped off the bike and spun like a top, that is a problem

kidding :)

sounds like we have the following problems possibly:

1. Bad battery or bad connection to good battery
2. Starter clutch issues, maybe worn out, maybe wet with oil
2a. If there is oil on the starter clutch, other issues
3. starter solenoid maybe
4. other high amp electrical cable connection issues (those would be the thick ones)
 
#12 ·
I still dont understand the click.
When I press the button, the solenoid clicks, the headlight shuts off, but the starter doesnt spin.
Bad solenoid?
Bad battery or high resistance within or at connections of positive/negative battery cables.
check your battery ground to frame bolt

I say this because you stated

I jumped the starter with my car the starter spins like a top.
There is a chance the solenoid/relay cable running to starter is shorted directly to frame which could cause sudden draw down of battery.. not my first choice though.
 
#10 ·
No your battery is obviously bad if jumping it from the car spins the starter OK.. If the starter does not engage the engine when it spins, you must overhaul the starter clutch.
The engine will always bump start without the starter even with a completely dead battery because the ignition system is independent of the 12 volt system and has its own AC power coil operated off the flywheel.
 
#11 ·
Let me be sure what you actually did, and the results before you go further.

When you used the car, it seems that you just jumped the starter, without the starter relay. That does not tell us anything new, because you could already get the starter to spin by bypassing the relay.

Did you connect the car battery to the bike battery, and try the starter button? If so did the starter spin or did it click? If it spins then the relay is OK, and if not then you may have a bad relay or bad connections.

When the starter spins, what happens with the engine? If it turns over, but doesn't start, then there is nothing wrong with the starter or clutch, and you may have nanny switch issues. If the starter spins, and makes a loud grinding noise, but the engine does not turn over, then the starter clutch is bad. If there is no grinding noise, then it is probably the chain or gear.

Now which scenario do you have? It is possible that you have multiple problems, but in order to help, we have to have details.
 
#15 ·
Welcome to the forum.

This forum specializes in 1st & 2nd generation Rebels. The CMX250 & CMX450.

We can try to help, but many here aren't familiar with the Shadow 600.