How To Test A Motorcycle, ATV & UTV Starter Relay

How To Test Your Electrical Components!
www.rockymount...
Starter Relays play a crucial part in starting your machine, but when do you know if the Relay is bad or not? In this video we demonstrate how to test to see if your OEM Starter Relay needs replaced or if it's just time for a new electrical component causing the problem. When troubleshooting your electrical components, Rocky Mountain ATV/MC has got you covered.
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[@tonyanders9098]

I'm glad that you mentioned that just because this relay clicks when 12v is applied does not necessarily mean it is working properly. I found this out on my 12 year old motorcycle. Very helpful video, especially the animated tutorial.

[@arcane7779]

Thanks for all your help. You explain things nice and clearly for us home wannabe mechanic dummies. Cheers brother.

[@rmatvmc]

Thanks for watching the video. Glad to help!

[@davidwilson8010]

Thanks verry much for that most important tips bro..you do have a bright day and be safe now

[@kerryblueher3147]

Outstanding vid, however it doesn't address acceptable voltage drop across the contacts. It would have been interesting to see the voltage drop across new contacts and what is considered acceptable voltage drop of a worn out relay. After all, the relay can function but still be "bad" if the contacts are too worn. Just a thought.

[@Mudachicken]

Great vid. Just got an old bomb and in the process of sorting out a bad solenoid, the vid was a huge help. Straight to the point and explaining what I need to know, keep up the content!

[@ralphdavis32]

I have a 94 Ford Ranger 2.3 motor I put a new starter and flywheel on ityou know when I turn the key to starter hit the flywheel

[@retribution999]

Great video! Clear and professional.

[@risamccraw7753]

Like the way you explain you are a great teacher

[@joshespiritu8074]

This is a really common problem on yamaha roadstars and vstars, what would cause them to constantly fail?

[@Smalltechguy]

I had already purchased quite a few parts from you guys last night. I have no readings on this old relay...might be why the ignition button won't do anything.

[@itruns]

I see this is an older post so I hope its monitored. I relocated a battery and starter relay. I'm thinking, although I'm guessing that my starter to relay wire is causing a ground situation. I used a similar looking size wire for the extension but it's a wound 600v wire and a large underground connector. This is the only thing I can find as a possible at this point. I have continuity between a frame ground on the relay to starter wire and also the starter connection- at the wire connect fitting as well. I should add I have symptoms of a dead short.

[@travhulb6625]

What if the fuse keeps burning out in the relay. I replaced It with a new relay and it still doing it. It will run for a few seconds then fuse burns out and motor stops.

[@markhammond9430]

I have a brand new one Which is sticking in on occasions leaving a starter going what could cause the problem

[@kennethfinch3629]

Same problem with my Honda VTX1800C.

[@StirlingMArcher]

great video thanks for help.... need new relay (suspected) after following your tests :(

[@jefftilghman9059]

Pretty god demonstration. But you forgot to mention that id the contacts close and you get a high ohm reading or no ohm reading, one possible cause is the contacts inside the relay are burned or bad, and the relay will have to be replaced.

[@rmatvmc]

*Jeff Tilghman* you make a good point there sir. Thanks for your diagnosis and for watching our video. Cheers

[@NickWarrenZA]

Hi Jeff. What would constitute a "high" ohm reading?

[@davekovalchek8102]

guess ur not smart enough to be doing the video just watch and learn

[@imtiazvohra9887]

Hey Dustin, great video, it explains very well how a relay should work, why we need it, and how to test it. I have an 2004 Yamaha Grizzly 660 that keeps blowing a starter relay (30a fuse is not burning out). I can bypass the relay, by directly feeding the battery pos. cable to the cable going to the starter motor and the quad starts and runs fine. I have read online that the cause is usually a short somewhere in the electrical system. I don't see anything wrong with the ground wire from the battery nor the wire that connects from the relay to the starter motor. Why would a relay burn out from a short and what your think may be the cause of a relay burning out. FYI, the fuse is not blowing.

[@rmatvmc]

*Imtiaz Vohra* - It is not very common for relays to fail however it is possible. I would remove the relay completely from the machine and statically test it; apply battery voltage to the relay’s terminals where the Blue with White and the Blue with Black wires in the harness connector make contact with the relays terminals 2 of the 4 terminals (4 pin connector) - you should be able to hear an audible click and measure resistance or continuity between the two posts on the relay (Battery Positive to Starter Motor) - If the relay tests good, then there could be several things going on: There may be too much resistance on the wire that connects the starter motor to the relay (corrosion), short to ground on the Blue with White wire between the starter relay and the ECM (not likely), a break or open on the Blue with Black wire that connects the relay to the start button, start button itself not making contact (corrosion inside of button) and lastly the start button may not have a solid connection to ground. It is possible for Relays to fail but again it is not all that common that they do. If the Relay doesn’t click when the start button is pressed then perform the static tests - if it passes then check the items listed above - if it fails static & dynamic tests then you will want to replace the starter relay. Good luck! Dustin

[@imtiazvohra9887]

Dustin, Thanks for the quick reply. I have had over 5 relays fail in the past two years, and the last one fail after one use. :( With the relay on the bike, ignition on, in park, stop/start switch on start, when I hit the start button, I hear a faint click, but there is no voltage reading on the relay post to the starter motor. I'm assuming the main relay contact that is supposed to close the loop from the battery to the starter motor is failing to do what its supposed to do. The Battery reads over 12.5v and connections are tight. As I mentioned in my last post, if I were to "bypass" the relay, by directly connecting the starter motor wire to the positive terminal on the battery, the quad starts up and stays running until I shut it off using either the key or the start/stop switch. I checked the ground cable,from the battery neg terminal to the frame, for corrosion/break, but didnt find any, and I cleaned up the contact, just in case. I'm wondering if any other wires leading to the relay would cause the relay to "weaken" or "fail". (Start/Stop button, neutral safety switch, or ignition key) Thanks again, Imtiaz

[@patrickjones4824]

I am having the exact same problem, came back from a ride and my grizzly was trying to start itself with the key in the off position. replaced the relay now 3 time and all i get is a buzz (fast buzz) it is driving me nuts and I can't figure it out. any help would be great

[@ALTO7730]

so you say a faulty kickstand switch can also be the starting issue with the "relay"?

[@roypainter8532]

08 KTM 505. Blows the fuse when I plug the 4 wire plug Into the relay. Can a bad relay do this?

[@gmindgjerd]

Thanks brother. Very informative video. Yamaha yzfr125, no power to injector. Any advice on how to proceed would be greately appreceiated.

[@barcusful]

Having taken solenoid out of my 1991 xj600, I can't remember which side was connected to the positive and the other to negative. Does it matter, or will I destroy the unit if I wire it back up wrong?

[@mikecarter6569]

Great video thanks for the help very explained

[@gabsgutierrez3371]

Would a solenoid go bad if you accidentally ground the battery while installing the battery. I made a rookie mistake and installed the positive terminal first and touched the frame with the wrench. When I press the start button a chripping noise is heard. The bike is a 2002 Yamaha tw200 . The sound seems to come from where you plug the fuses into.

[@shyan5886]

I just have this issue, the Starter relay have click sound sometimes and not able to start. But second attempt it works. It happen so randomly and can I assume my starter relay are end of its life?

[@Outdoorjunkie246]

Should the voltage going to the starter be the same voltage that the battery is putting out?🤔

[@WILLY52368]

What you have a relay with only 2 pins and it reads .004 when the probes are making contact?

[@teddyjackson6194]

best video I have seen in a while THANKS

[@edciecko7429]

I have a 2008 Hisun Massimo 600. good battery , good relays, good fuses. I have no display and no starter responce. dCan the starter be shorted out to cause this problem? I jumped the solenoid and no cranking of starter.

[@distilledfreedom1840]

Wish I knew where the starter relay was located.

[@jamestyson878]

I have a 2002 Honda VTX 1800c. I have gotten a new battery and relay switch to try and solve a problem with the bike starting then the starter still trying to engage continuously even after I shut it off. After installing these two, I still have the same problem???????

[@federicogiaquinto8390]

I have a question. What if the relay, once mounted, does more clicks when u try to start engine without give power to the starter motor? I think some cable get ruined from time but don’t know How to find them

[@corylegge9794]

Hey there- would a bad starter relay cause me to blow my 5 amp fuse off the +battery even when the key is off?

[@michaelosullivan8288]

It's definitely battery for sure because if battery has low voltages and stater reley do make any sounds and that means to charged battery up till fully charged then it will start up first time without any sounds from starter reley

[@basswest]

Great video !!! Thanks

[@fredreed7202]

GREAT VIDEO! THX!

[@sonjatosto8092]

My push start on my atv ( Arctic cat ) is stuck on the on position I disconnected the starter button from wire harness and the electric start is still on.

[@exupakias]

Thank you very very much

[@christopherworth1]

Really helped me with my problem. Thanks!

[@johncondon4172]

Ok, when I energized my starter relay and do the oms test on the post I get 0 resistance. Does that mean it's no good?

[@norman46100]

will a starter relay give trouble an blow the 10 amp fuse after the bike starts an runs for a few minutes it is a 2016 Husqvarna 350 4 stroke if not the solenoid what could the problem be

[@mhnoni]

Why there are ohm read at min 3:20 when you test between positive and negative input? shouldn't that be an open circuit?

[@SnakeVenomTV12191]

would a bad relay cause slow and weak cranking or just be an all or nothing situation?

[@SnakeVenomTV12191]

@3 Subscribers Without Any Videos!!!!! I recently found out that the jumper cables I was using (It's an old bike I bought that had a garbage battery, hooked up a car battery while working on it before buying a new one for it) were garbage and only carrying 3 volts to the terminals. I hooked up a second set of cables along with the other ones and it fired right up after cranking for less than a second.

[@rideroll9609]

nope its just can start some second after push the button it is not slowing down the starting proces in this way( that is a point of bad battery, low voltage)

[@certifiedweldingmsllcalexm5065]

On the relay with fuses i test the first set and got 000.0 reading. On the second set got 4.3. My relay is bad? Cross got O.L on both.

[@thomasdonoghue9073]

Alejandro Martinez did you find the answer to this ? Mines 0.00 and I’m not getting any reading on the second one

[@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.

[@Outdoorjunkie246]

Thanks 😊

[@mathewdee1632]

Hi , I need some help , I bypassed the starter relay on my bike by touching the two points with a screwdriver , now all electrics have failed on my bike , the main fuse connected to the red terminal on the battery is fine in tact , but could something else be gone on the bike not letting power go to everything ? Thanks

[@zupcompany]

what if you only have one connection coming off the relay? I've got 2 post but only one connecter coming off of it

[@suzuki600ish]

Can you not test the other one with the two fuses in with the 12v battery. Or can you just run a multi meter over it like you did thanks

[@leonitis59]

Can 12v battery still be connected to bike while testing the relay switch?

[@whyme9501]

read entire comment Absolutely not false readings to check the relay let me just go ahead and tell you like this guy if it's under your seat take your damn seat off right now to where you can look at that relay on your bike connected up the way it needs to be your whole bike needs to be connected the way it needs to be to run turn that key on pull your clutch if you got to with your kick stand up if you got to and take you a screwdriver of whatever type it needs to have some kind of very thick plasty type rubber coating just to make sure you don't get shocked it's not going to kill you if you get shot but it will hurt like a son of a b**** it'll honestly feel like I'm getting hit with a paintball in your fingertips but as you know the more padding an insulation you get the less you feel right so you'll take that screwdriver push it against the terminal on one side of the relay and then lay that screwdriver over against the other terminal on that relay it will spark for sure if your batteries got power to it but on that same note your bike should start right up if it's just the relay

[@rezabaghernejadkashani6054]

Thanks man!!!!

[@rudycornelius5119]

Which one is negative and positive?

[@waynelee17]

Thanks mate. Very helpful. Much appreciated.

[@mmar4281990]

What if the voltage is not the same on the post when you hit the switch on side is 12v and the other is 4v

[@aldairguevara1284]

I have a reading of 3.5 this mean is good or bad relay?

[@realrealisticteevee457]

My relay is kind of weird. When I try to start my ATV sometimes the relay will click but wont start the quad. There is other times where my ATV will start perfectly 2 times and then go back to the relay clicking not working.

[@michaelosullivan8288]

Wish there some of aftermarket starter reley

[@jonathanwalunga4284]

What brand multimeter would you recommend?

[@djfunny007]

hello folks, Yamaha MT-07 won't start ( NO LIGHT ON THE INSTRUSTMENTAL DISPLAY AT ALL + BUZZING NOISE). the buzzing sounds happens when i plug the fully charged battery to the bike (even the bike key switch is off...no key in the bike, the buzzing sound comes on). I must disconnect the battery again, otherwise the buzzing noise is constantly on. I have also try a brand new lithim battery the problem is still there. any help is highly appreciated.

[@rmatvmc]

Hmm, that's not a lot to go off of. When did the problem start? I'm assuming you had the battery go dead at some point to make you want to "fully charge" it. Have you checked any fuses? Roughly where is the buzzing sound coming from? When you hooked up the battery, was there a spark like something is drawing power? Did any wires get hot? How long did you leave the battery hooked up with it buzzing?

[@djfunny007]

@@rmatvmc I did not ride the bike for a period of 3 months plus, (battery was completely dead) , then fully charge the battery using optimate charger but problem still persist. Try a brand new lithium , again no change. I did not checked any fuse as I don't know how to check them using a multimeter. The buzzing is coming from the front of the bike (near the tank area). .I can not see any sparks or something drawing power. Cannot feel any wires getting hot or burning smell. Whenever I connect the battery to the bike, the buzzing noise started and I disconnect it straightaway. Hope this helps

[@hoffman4506]

Excellent video. Thanks 👍

[@robertorochamartinsrocha7041]

Very good and nice video

[@brenthiggins8995]

Bought a starter relay online after someone opened the seat and ripped it out. I think I have to swap some of the wires in the molex connector I see a solid red a red/white and a blue/white, this is for an 07 FZ1

[@Gitano281]

Great vid. Clear and informative. Thank you so much!

[@igorbt6706]

Very clear. Good video. Thank you.

[@rideroll9609]

1. new relay clicks silently 2. loud click is bad, causing problems with start in near future (bad relay, corosion on contacts inside the relay)

[@deeprootslandscaping4499]

Mine continually clicks. Not a single but continually

[@argentosebastian]

If the relay is bad and you bridge the battery terminals, would the motorcycle start?

[@jessiegibson9023]

Thanks

[@jgkgmvjffu5778]

I turn on my key on my Chinese Go-Kart with a 110 and it automatically starts turning over when it's supposed to be the power supply then turn on key to start it do not know why help me out before I rip it apart

[@StanleyOverturf]

Will the test still work if the relay dosent have a fuse in it?

[@johnthomas-vf1zh]

you have other cords in this video that you do not mention. you might want to do that because how do i do it the way you said. i dont have those extra cords

[@abiolalacom]

Nice

[@pilotlang1]

Now that was an excellent video!

[@annanieves9598]

Pasé cables a mi Atv 450R honda 2007 y ya no quiso prender , que paso?

[@toddhenderson2998]

I have the 2nd relay that you show. Will the open line also cause my lights and horn not to work if it is not made when I turn my key switch on?? Also should I hear an audible click on that 2nd starter relay you show when I hook up 12 volts to it? Because mine isn’t clicking.

[@joshoooway]

I'm having a similar problem. Did you check your fuse? That may be keeping power from the battery from passing to the lights and horns and such

[@GrahamBrown-mountainrescuer]

Great informative video 👍

[@louisringgenberg9537]

Going through a lot of starter solenoids?

[@larrymckenna3503]

thank you !

[@kylensnider6292]

My fuse on mine blows everytime I put one In dose anyone know why by chance

[@Martyimgay]

I’m guessing my starter solenoid is bad because I have to hot start The two prongs in order for my go cart to start. After I get my go cart to start and let it run about 10 minutes or so the starter starter solenoid is really hot

[@michaelplumley1337]

what would cause my bike to keep cranking over once I let go of the starter button, so bad that it will drain the battery

[@daniellukensow4095]

nice

[@danydilo]

Great video!

[@Unknown-hl7sb]

Quick simple question, you said that they are not polarity sensitive, does that mean that either pole on the relay can be positive or negative? Actually my initial question was is there a way to tell which side is the positive and which is the negative(ground). Then I heard you say that and I wasn't sure what it mean. Also just a hunch. I'm working on a moped, all relays in essence are basically the same correct? Testing wise, I mean. So this test will work the same way on any other relay or solenoid as well?

[@paulgraham6353]

The two are both positive.The starter is grounded by being bolted on. The solenoid completes the connection. One of the fat wires goes to battery the other to positive on the starter. That's why you don't have two wires going to the starter.

[@maikelnait4495]

Great video👍❤️

[@timkimmel397]

2013 can am maverick 1000r xrs starts fine when engine is cold, once it warms up it will hardly crank?? after it cools back down it cranks and starts fine again????

[@shane958]

Possible timing

[@ufowatch]

good video. mine works but it keeps turning the starter over it wont shut off! is that just the bad relay or the starter button? i need a good multimeter. but curious what you think here?

[@K_is4Kyle]

Starter clutch

[@listomoto]

just short the 2 main contact if it the engine starts then the relay is the faulty, if still do not start. The starter motor is the problem.

[@SAIREPAIR]

this is wrong method , as you mention short the 2 main contacts, that means neglecting the relay and connect the battery +ve directly to the battery, so how you say relay is bad when you did't pass any volts through it???

[@tonysmlg]

@@SAIREPAIR +listomoto is right on this one.

[@SAIREPAIR]

@@tonysmlg ok lets say if the engine not starts then that means the motor is faulty , then how could you tell with this short of 2 main contact method that the relay is good or bad ???

[@tonysmlg]

@@SAIREPAIR im just saying that because I literally had exact same problem and replacing relay fixed it.. i almost spent exact same money on a new battery while it was only the relay

[@SAIREPAIR]

@@tonysmlg glad you able to fix the problem and avoid spending extra

[@louisringgenberg9537]

I'm going through a lot of starter relays ?

[@arnulfoisleta2353]

I am from the philippines, I would like ask about the problem of my bajaj re three wheel motorcycle, the problem of my motorcycle is very hard to start, I already change the carbon brush of may starter motor and also the stator and regulator as well it was the same problem,, (hard to start) please advise. Thanks,

[@jakef4466]

There mechanical stuff, like carb cleaning or so on

[@davidbabic6121]

Hey guys appreciate the great video. I have a question regarding when the primary wires are energized (connected to 12v battery, when break and start switch are closed). this engages to make the mangtic coil, which closes the Positive of the Battery to the starter Motor. Why does the Primary wires not overheat and burn if is connected too the same Battery that is used to Power the starter motor. I hope you understand my question.

[@danielgonzales6720]

Relay will not click when try to start..?

[@olafjensen4508]

My relay clicks OK but the motor does not turn. The battery is full. This is intermittent. After a bump it starts as normal. Is this the relay or starter motor?

[@glenno1331]

I noticed you tested the one that didn't have conditions. Is the bench test different if it has a clutch switch etc?

[@kachiskid]

Olaf, if you can, test the starter separately with 12 volts. I am having the same problem currently and will be making a video once I find the problem

[@JOHNMINKA]

what if the reading when energised by batter on the starter poles reads .2 then goes to nothing?

[@mikeburton5482]

Noticed mine is doing the same

[@mikeburton5482]

Also gotta no power to start button , but kill switch to is good

[@barnes99223]

This is a great video, love this channel

[@codyakers5584]

My starter relay just clicks what causes this a bad relay?

[@dcc8655]

Laura and necessary information with people search for these items they just want you to get to the point. Skipping this one.

[@nuffsaidmediamorris4920]

Would this cause a battery drain and give a fizzing or clicking sounds if it's bad

[@billrife4789]

nuffsaid media Morris rectifier is tosted id bet..

[@ryanmenard241]

What does it mean when your relay buzzes when trying to start your quad. My starter will turn over when boosted bit the relay starts to click rapidly or buzz when voltage drops

[@jaoutdoors]

ryan menard usually this is a tell tale sign you have a bad battery.

[@ryanmenard241]

@@jaoutdoors I had a new battery when this happened. I started looking it my charging system but I blew the fuses in my multimeter. I'll have to get the fixed to keep moving forward. I do think that my new battery from last fall was sitting depleted all winter so it could also be ruined. Thanks for the reply. Your video was very helpful and it does look like my relay was good.

[@Campsnowcactus]

Nice Video, however a starter relay and a solenoid are not the same. A relay is a electro-magnetic switch to connect a large electrical load to a device. A solenoid does much more: It is a linear motor, typically used to move a starter drive pinion gear to engage a flywheel gear in the most common applications. Knowing the difference makes a big difference in diagnosis.

[@vincentpressley8426]

My bike doesn't run its cycle when I turn the key, could that indicate a bad starter relay? I've changed the stator, rectifier, and battery, but the bike still will not start. It will attempt to crank, but will not turn on completely. The bike is an 07 Busa

[@rmatvmc]

If it sounds like it's cranking fine but not actually starting, the starter relay is probably okay. It seems like more of a fuel issue, either bad fuel, or maybe even the fuel pump or injectors are possibly bad. Can you hear the fuel pump kick on and the injectors clicking? Also, have you tried to use starter fluid to see if it'll start with that?

[@vincentpressley8426]

@@rmatvmc no I haven't. I was thinking it's electrical because the odometer and clock are not coming on. Prior to me changing the stator, the old stator knocked out my battery, headlights, and rectifier. Do you still think it could be a fuel issue? The initial turn of the key does not allow the dash to cycle through

[@nicolec7290]

Witch side is the primary

[@rmatvmc]

That would be the two small wires, once that coil is energized contact will be made between the big wires (secondary). -Charles

[@danielbonn6829]

What would be the problem if the motor is running and the starter turns on by its self 🤔

[@user-iw6gt6kv9z]

Спасибо друг! 🤗