How to Test a Starter Relay on a Motorcycle, ATV, or UTV | How to Test a Starter Solenoid

[@miguelasantiago9543]

This is one of the best videos I have seen. Everything is so clearly explained and very professionally organized. Thank you so much Sir! Excellent.

[@docimastic]

Having watched several of your "how to test" such and such videos, it is apparent that you are a knowledgeable and intelligent person. Probably just a slip, but I noticed that you said using a low voltage circuit to activate the solenoid. Later you correctly talked about low current, that is, amperage. They are all 12 volt circuits and I know you know that. The other thing, and this really surprised me, is that you said such and such and your bike won't start. What you really meant was that it wouldn't crank. Big difference and I'm surprised you made this mistake. But hey, we're all human. Your videos are definitely informative and helpful and yes, I have dealt with Partzilla many times and always have had good experiences with them. Please take my comments as constructive criticism with the emphasis on constructive. Thanks, David

[@jjcc868]

an explanation about those fuses would be great.

[@malybullg]

Excellent video. I had an electrical starting problem with a 2007 crf450x just yesterday and this helped perfectly 👍 Turned out to be a fuse with a hairline fracture that when pushed into its place separated and when pulled out looked and tested fine.

[@b.c.h4120]

Just what I was looking for. I was about to order a new relay but then saw this video and tested my oem relay which is a 2007 part. It checked out. The only problem was dirty contacts which is to be expected after 14 years on a dirtbike.

[@ambarpulido8689]

How you fixed those contacts ?

[@racoonman100]

Thanks so much mate!, i live in Western Australia and I got a quad bike for free that doesn’t work that someone was chucking out and I’m an electrician and I know nothing about about motorbikes but I want to learn and I’ve learnt so much. And I’m making so much progress correcting issues I’ve found in the electrical system and now I’m going from component to component and trying to test them and I needed to see what this component was and how to test it. Your video has helped me a lot thanks so much. I wish I could ask you questions about other components. Thanks so much.

[@gilbzmusic7186]

thank you for explaining intelligently and nice diagrams.

[@joshaudet]

That diagram at the beginning is perfect! Knowing the basic operation of how it works. Hope you do that for all videos and tutorials!

[@beltranc72]

Hola muy bien explicado aunque no se mucho ingles, pero es muy claro en las conexiones gracias. Es de mucha alluda👍😁

[@bearlife101]

A good no bullshit video with correct test procedures

[@barefootbob1269]

So to bypass the starter relay in an emergency can I just touch a wire between the two big terminals on the relay? Mine looks similar to the newer style. On a Yamaha snowmobile. Stranded and towed out would have been nice to be able to get it running.

[@jasonjackson329]

Yes. Jump the 2 points to get started. However if it’s completely failed. You could still be standard cause it’s not allowing power to flow through to your fuse box. I also got left stranded in the deep No cell signal forest cause Yamaha failed solenoid (raptor 700 2022 ). But check the right side cable. Newer models the bolt was never tighten from factory and will arc and arc and fail. Make sure it’s tight

[@arturorodriguez7564]

let me ask something if the relay doesn't click when you plug it to a good battery it means doesn't work?

[@rogerwhittingham5869]

Great video, but difficult to see which terminals you are connecting at 4.50, as your hands are in the way.

[@paul4608]

My relay is reading 6ohms that's for a 125 zontez javelin is that ok the problem is when the battery is connected the starter kicks over without the ignition turned on any help would be great

[@WILLY52368]

I had a friend test my starter relay and battery and he said it was ok I replace the starter relay with a new one just because but could it be my starter itself went out? May I add he did use a multimeter tester and also the starter relay did make that clicking noise upon contact of the two probes. What I know is through watching youtube video's, I can only learn so much from a manual because of my reading disability. It looks so simple here but each of us have a particular part, model, bike that may differ slightly from what's shown but still be helpful. I replaced the starter relay with same results, I hope the starter coming in the mail will do the trick if not I'll be rolling it down the hill and kick starting it

[@sk8injoker]

How do you test it while its on the machine? I dont have wire to test it like you did

[@dipling.pitzler7650]

At 5:00 the tip of the probe was glowing red which means that the thin coil wire inside was also glowing red potentially damaging the insulation! A test that might have lasted too long compromising a brand new part.

[@paulacabbo466]

At what resistance numbers would you replace the solenoid because contacts are pitted and corroded

[@Cristian-804]

I've tried testing mine and it says 0.0 ohm . Is it posibile to be correct ? That means that it's perfect ? Or is it bad ?

[@leahliddiard329]

What a perfect video! Thank you so much for making 🥰

[@djfameinthemix]

Mine is giving me 3.5 that's good or bad,it's a 2019 ducati 959

[@joerader6532]

Loved the diagram. Wish you guys would do a video on how stators work. May have already. New subscriber. Great video

[@RogerSayers]

I'm wondering if you have ever worked on a BMS Goka 800cc buggy? I have an early model 2008 and at times when I go to start it, The starter doesn't turn. I turn on the ignition switch and try again then it starts up. I'm thinking that it just may be a starter relay but not sure where it's located on the buggy. Would you have any information regarding my problem? Thanks for sharing all of your videos with all of us.

[@rcWizzard]

John, thank you So much for these info videos. I can't get my 2007 Yamaha Raptor 350 to start. New battery, I have spark at the plug, but even with engine starting fluid it will not fire. My compression is 150, then 165 after adding motor down the spark plug hole. Is 150 low for this engine? Thank you sir!!

[@PartzillaParts]

That compression is in the normal range.

[@rcWizzard]

To @@PartzillaParts . Have you heard this one before? Same quad. I just took the Head off. When, the T mark on the flywheel is lined up with the slot in the small hole, the piston is about 3/4 the way down. I found this After moving the cam gear 5 teeth clockwise to align them both up, then crank over, now I have a bent exhaust valve. I can fix the valve but that flywheel & piston position has me stumped. Your website has been a Big help, thank you!!

[@pa.fishpreacher6166]

have a 330 magnum, won't start dash won't lite up replaced battery, plug and sylenoid, still nothing, Do you have any thoughts?

[@lucasellis]

So...my 2006 VTX tries to start as soon as I connect the battery terminals. No key in the ignition and the kill switch activated. Thoughts? Thanks - Stat

[@michaelspedden1078]

Hope this thread is still open...what does it mean if you energize the solenoid, it clicks and the OHMS reading between the 2 posts starts at approx. .6 or .7..then drops steadily to 0..it takes approx 10 seconds for it to drop..then it stays at 0???

[@emil_llantigua1191]

Happen to me !! My reading drops to 0

[@kazzifella13]

What is the name of the connector block that goes on the second relay you tested ? Btw good video buddy 👍🏻

[@jordantran6253]

2:50 Hi, I have a starter solenoid similar to the first one: I connected 12v into the solenoid (I hear a audible click) and read 0.00 ohms on the outpost. Is the solenoid still good?

[@Dr_KAP]

At rest you should get an 0L reading for continuity which means an open circuit (no beep on the multimeter is good!) - but when you energise it you’ll want to get up around 0.2 or above ohms

[@jordantran6253]

@@Dr_KAP well I was never able to get a ohm reading above 0.00 but the starter works and bike is running so that is good, cheers

[@Dr_KAP]

@@jordantran6253 good to hear! Might be the multimeter did you have it set to the minimum ohms? Anyway you’re all good yay 😀

[@MaxDissent]

Great video! I have a 2015 Aprilia RSV4 R and just getting a click from the solenoid. I'm waiting on alligator clips to test the the solenoid as i'm doing it by myself and don't have enough hands to make the connections, hold in my clutch and press the starter button... lolz I am guessing the starter relay solenoid needs to be replaced, but I can seem to find the correct one on your website. Can you post a link to it here for me? =]

[@stevemartin8531]

i unpluged the four way connecter on starter solenoid. one of the connectors was loose. i took the connectors out of the four way plug. i was going to plug the directly on the male end. i have a brand new battery, and voltage regulator. the bike was running great. i use it every day and regularly maintain it. i took my wire cutters to remove add the connectors th the male ends. and the bike starts turning over the starter, with the key off and the kill switch off. worked great before. the reason i started this was because the nutural would not come on. it wouldn't start. if i wiggled the wire on the 4 way plug it would work. could you help ?

[@PartzillaParts]

Sounds like you hooked up the constant power, instead of the switch.

[@ericcollins570]

Hello - What if you just bought a new starter relay and you still are not receiving a click?

[@icandsc]

5:06 - was that tester pin heating up? looked red hot and then sparked when he released it.

[@marythornton142]

I have a 1983 honda nighthawk 650. I keep getting a click sound i have a new solenoid and starter still click. I can't locate the relay. Is the solenoid the relay.

[@dsd-downshiftdave8056]

When i go across the 2 single ones so the coil i get 5 ohms so thats good But when i go from the 2 points that are connected together to one bolt (red) i get 1 ohm to the other bolt i get OL? I have the wires still connected -

[@blakedoerfler8495]

Exactly what I needed, thanks!

[@brunovisky]

Excellent explanation, thanks!

[@lesyates1269]

Thanks for the video. On my Yamaha 700 ATV I've got 13.2v at the battery and the solenoid input. However, at the battery there is only 10.5 volts after pressing the starter button. The starter will crank, put poorly. When the battery is below 13v, but above 12.5v, the starter will barely turn the engine over and probably it will not start until I put the battery charger on and get the battery voltage back above 13v. Is the culprit a malfunctioning solenoid?

[@armandoquezada5559]

I got yhe same issue. Did you ever figure it out?

[@rnewh6258]

Have similar problem with a scooter.

[@truenorthmuskoka9077]

Great video. Was able to diagnose my faulty relay on my 2000 Polaris 425 expedition. I purchased a replacement solenoid but the new one only has one wire. My old relay has two wires on it. One is for transmission neutral and the other from the ignition switch. Any idea how I manage this wire install. Not sure what to do with my second wire.

[@amloobrador3519]

I have the same bike same problem

[@truenorthmuskoka9077]

amlo obrador , I connected the one wire to the wire on my ATV that comes from the ignition. The relay is automatically grounded when installed on the battery compartment. I haven't connected the transmission neutral wire at all. It starts perfectly but now I have no neutral safety. I discovered that the bike will not jump forward when starting in gear. It starts and stands still until you give it some throttle

[@amloobrador3519]

@@truenorthmuskoka9077 the bolts come from battery base they loose idk if that the ground for selenoid

[@truenorthmuskoka9077]

amlo obrador , the relay body is the ground. There is no ground wire. Once you bolt the relay to the battery case with the two bolts it will be grounded automatically to the ATV chassis.

[@amloobrador3519]

@@truenorthmuskoka9077 cool that mean the bolts not givem any ground and might selenoid still good thanks

[@viperxbr]

Quick question, do these solenoids act the same as a regular relay where if they rattle when you shake it, it needs replacing? I've got a intermittent starting problem with my bike (01' ZX-12R) so checking the solenoid(original) it rattles when I give it a little shake. Thanks, Todd.

[@PartzillaParts]

I don't know of any that rattle. There are test procedures in the service manual to confirm.

[@ayeyo6389]

i just got 0.4, Sir is it Okay result?

[@stevehicks3720]

My 2018 rzr 900s started shutting off while driving it then got where it wouldn't turn over at all. When it would you would hear the fuel pump but now all the instruments and acc. work just no fuel pump and no turning over. Can you give me any ideas?

[@PartzillaParts]

Test the fuel pump. Sounds like it failed.

[@stephensheridan6332]

Good clear advice thankyou

[@0x7FFFFFFFFFFF]

Does anyone know where I can find alligator clip to banana plug leads? I'm finding them impossible to find.. All I can find is Multi-meter input to alligator clip

[@connersnow298]

Awesome video

[@javedfazil6686]

I need to test the starter relay of Suzuki m109r 2011. I am a bit confused to see the two big terminals of it are one direct positive from battery with a thick red wire and the other is negative with a thick black wire. I understand that both the big terminals should be high current positive and not one positive and the other negative. what's behind it please anyone ?

[@troymichael5091]

Thanks that was very helpful

[@yamaanshaikh4780]

Very nive work John Sir...👍

[@cesarlegaspi1701]

Would have been better if he showed what reading would show for a broken relay. Both samples were for a working one 0.2 which indicates very little resistance.

[@imtiazvohra9887]

What would cause a relay to fail (second one with 4 posts) ? I have a Yamaha Grizzly 660 that keeps killing my Starter Relays. I get a new one and it works fine for about 30-50 starts, then it starts clicking but it cranks the starter a few seconds .Eventually no clicking at all and no crank. I checked the ground on the battery and it seems to be clean and connected tight.

[@paulacabbo466]

Don't use after market solenoids they don't hold up like oem

[@bermbuster6]

Thank you!

[@DavidtheWelder748]

Awesome. Thank you

[@blackheart_mechanic]

Sir the starter relay clicks but as soon as i click the start button the voltage drop to 4 volts

[@rodneystrom2749]

John Talley I have a nighthawk honda.250. Key on headlight and tailight are working Engine.will not crank. Horn will not work. Starter motor spins because I hooked it.to a non.running car car battery

[@rodneystrom2749]

I suspect relay magnetic switch Fuse to horn and headlight both 10 amp are good. What do yo think?

[@doupnetwork]

What if its reading 4 on coil posts and the other shows .2 then immediately drops to .0? I think its my problem

[@brandinripka9030]

How to check for error codes on a 2001 R6

[@softsmoken]

I'm getting the motor to turn over but it's very slow, even when i hook up a bigger power source still just as slow, i disconnected the solenoid and tested it, correct ohm readings, and i touch a power source direct to starter cable without solenoid and it turned fast like normal, so i opened the solenoid and it looks like it melted the contacts together then they snapped apart again, leaving a very rough porous jagged contact which i think was giving the starter power but very little amps. The Honda factory replacement solenoid for 79 cb650 is 113$ so.. i rebuilt it, filed down the contacts. Gonna put it back in tomorrow morning, it's 2am.. but yea tested again after rebuild seems good to go.. but in the event this doesn't work, any other ideas what it could be?

[@PartzillaParts]

check all wires and connections for loose fit or corrosion.

[@softsmoken]

@@PartzillaParts Soo the plunger and contacts looked like they had melted together then snapped back apart (probably happened whn tried the last ride inthe cold and didnt end up starting) leaving a rough finish on it of course it cant move amps through that unevely mated surfaces,,,so that was why it was turning slow even with more power, filed em down put it back together it worked perfect. thanks for the reply, good video. they wanted 115 for the honda replacement solenoid! i was like im gonna try and rebuild this thing ill call u back..the other one thats "for"the bike was 11$ but had many review saying died withnin 3-10 starts... Glad the rebuld worked!

[@chuckyrunfola3941]

I went to put the new starter back into it original position after working correctly and the bike started by itself...I disconnected the negative on the battery to shut off bike...now when I touch negative post bike starts...what gives? Any input? Ugh!

[@PartzillaParts]

Sounds like you bypassed the relay. If it's hardlined, it just gets power the second you attach the battery. Check your wiring.

[@softsmoken]

lol, not laughing AT you, just funny situation, you get your wiring worked out? definitely bypassed the solenoid somehow with something like the vid creator said

[@Outdoorcookwarereviews]

I love you man thanks!

[@JorgeMoreno-qk7sg]

Mi gsxr 2006 no arranca ya le cheque todo lo q, bi enel video y no arranca

[@metalmassacre84]

4:57.. what is the negative connected to? Thank you

[@Dr_KAP]

There’s two terminals on the solenoid- you connect one from the battery negative terminal to the solenoid terminal and the other from the positive battery terminal to the solenoid (polarity on the solenoid not important) - when finished testing and hook back up to bike I believe you should also have a ground wire from the negative terminal to ground

[@abiolalacom]

Nice 👍

[@zaz4667]

Awesome

[@cardmancalvin549]

Great

[@danielgonzales6720]

My relay won’t click..?

[@handyman7297]

Mine does not make any click! 🥴

[@emil_llantigua1191]

I think that why my gsxr k5 won't turn on when she's hot I have to give her like 3 to 5 minutes to cool down .

[@fidelcatsro6948]

nice shirt!

[@gulabk65]

Right

[@emil_llantigua1191]

My omns readings drop to 0!!

[@mattduncan5500]

Bruh you day what we would look for if your device is good. But nothing on what we would see if device is bad . 0.2 is good for ohms. But what is bad . . .

[@trannguyenhuunghi7278]

💵?

[@wgben22]

Stop saying "basically".

[@stelio37]

Great troubleshooting thank you very much