thgil Posted May 15, 2005 Share Posted May 15, 2005 my solenoid is not working properly. after a day of stress i came to this conclusion.so is there anyone out there who can tell me if this is a common problem, and where i get one. I'm so distraught with my motorbike every time i've gone out i've had problems,eg starter and main fuse blowing at exeter services,home on a break down truck,asking a few geezers to give me a push as starter refused to work.Now i'm not being funny but this is my first guzzi,i'm going to ride europe in aug i really am thinking of tradeing in for something more reliable! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nogbad Posted May 15, 2005 Share Posted May 15, 2005 There is an issue with Valeo starter motors failing due to the adhesive holding the magnets into the stator letting go. Somewhere I have a magazine article with the details of a UK supplier of Valeo parts enabling you to rebuild the starter for around £80 rather than the £300 replacement cost from Guzzi. If this has happened to you, I'll scan the thing and post it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thgil Posted May 15, 2005 Author Share Posted May 15, 2005 yo dude thanks for the reply the info would be really useful, but if i just buy a solenoid which i've managed to trace from motomecca @ 51quid will thi not sort the problem? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nogbad Posted May 15, 2005 Share Posted May 15, 2005 yo dude thanks for the reply the info would be really useful, but if i just buy a solenoid which i've managed to trace from motomecca @ 51quid will thi not sort the problem? 51713[/snapback] Only if you are absolutely sure that it is the solenoid. Take the starter off and make sure it turns freely and feels ok before you spend the £51. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuzzTim Posted May 15, 2005 Share Posted May 15, 2005 I had the solenoid fail on my 2 month old Tuono... so its not just guzzi's.. easiest way to check if its the solenoid is to bridge the terminals with the ignition on... if it cranks the motor then its the solenoid.. cheers, Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Stewart Posted May 15, 2005 Share Posted May 15, 2005 I had the solenoid fail on my 2 month old Tuono... so its not just guzzi's.. easiest way to check if its the solenoid is to bridge the terminals with the ignition on... if it cranks the motor then its the solenoid.. cheers, Tim 51742[/snapback] Please make sure it is out of gear first Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Stewart Posted May 15, 2005 Share Posted May 15, 2005 Could the problem be the clutch switch sydrome? Just another thought, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
belfastguzzi Posted May 15, 2005 Share Posted May 15, 2005 Take it apart, clean it, grease it and see how that goes. It could be stuck with old dried up dirt/grease. That's been the case on other starters/solenoids that I've had to fix. I think it's a good idea to clean and grease the internals anyway, as it all seems to come pretty dry from the factory. My starter started screeching at only 2,000 miles, but it's been fine ever since giving it some TLC – like it should have had at the factory. If your solenoid is working, but "not working properly" then there's a good chance that it's just sticky and can be easily fixed. How old, how many miles has the bike done? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuzzTim Posted May 15, 2005 Share Posted May 15, 2005 Please make sure it is out of gear first homer.gif you have no sense of adventure ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thgil Posted May 16, 2005 Author Share Posted May 16, 2005 Take it apart, clean it, grease it and see how that goes. It could be stuck with old dried up dirt/grease. That's been the case on other starters/solenoids that I've had to fix. I think it's a good idea to clean and grease the internals anyway, as it all seems to come pretty dry from the factory. My starter started screeching at only 2,000 miles, but it's been fine ever since giving it some TLC – like it should have had at the factory. If your solenoid is working, but "not working properly" then there's a good chance that it's just sticky and can be easily fixed. How old, how many miles has the bike done? 51756[/snapback] tue bikes done 100000 miles and its a 02 model Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlaing Posted May 16, 2005 Share Posted May 16, 2005 easiest way to check if its the solenoid is to bridge the terminals with the ignition on... if it cranks the motor then its the solenoid.. That is usually true assuming you have narrowed it down to being the starter or the solenoid...as it kind of sounds like he has...But it could still be a bad battery, the clutch switch or relay syndrome or whatever...I guess you would just test for 12+Volts at the solenoid when starting. I am not sure exactly how many volts would be bad, but I would be suspicious of less than 12V... although I guess if the starter draws current the voltage at the solenoid will drop. I guess I should test mine while it is working. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest aironepony Posted May 16, 2005 Share Posted May 16, 2005 I had the solenoid fail on my 2 month old Tuono... so its not just guzzi's.. easiest way to check if its the solenoid is to bridge the terminals with the ignition on... if it cranks the motor then its the solenoid.. cheers, Tim 51742[/snapback] That's OK....but recently my Bro-in-Law's SP111 had a little problem with the Valeo Starter; the terminal on the solenoid to the starter motor had gone down to earth. Although the solenoid was working fine; i.e moving the spur gear into engagement AND making a contact bridge from the main battery supply to the motor feed, the resultant connected motor supply was going straight back to earth rather than to the motor. New solenoid on it's way; fitting same tomorrow...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thgil Posted May 16, 2005 Author Share Posted May 16, 2005 the thing is i've taken the starter and solenoid out of the bike and rigged it up to another battery.Once its energized nothing happens until i depress the the valve almost half way myself.Unfortunately i'm a very green with all this so be very gentle! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thgil Posted May 16, 2005 Author Share Posted May 16, 2005 Sense of adventure.My good fellow guzzifiend pushing ones V11 through the carpatii orientali with all those Wamphyri afoot.Ain't enough garlic on this planet![only joking].But this is my first guzzi and compared to all the other bikes i've ridden [all from Japan] this is the most unreliable.Yet its the best bike i've ridden,plus i can purchase a aprilla sl 1000 brand new for £49999 [04] talk about a rock and a hard place! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nogbad Posted May 16, 2005 Share Posted May 16, 2005 But this is my first guzzi and compared to all the other bikes i've ridden [all from Japan] this is the most unreliable.Yet its the best bike i've ridden, 51834[/snapback] Yes. You have discovered that bikes can have that undefinable intangible quality called "soul". The V11 really feels alive compared with the anodyne efficency of a Japanese bike. Also, it requires some skill to get the best out of it, leading to a more satisfying ride. Unreliability? Perhaps. They are probably inconsistent compared with a Jap. Just like a woman, a Guzzi can be either a wonderful friend, or an inconsolable depressing money pit. You can't tell which until you really get to know her..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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