Kills when starter button released???

[AK82kz440]

Well I've got things pretty much back together on the 85 Vulcan 700 but...
I replaced the battery and attempted to start the bike. It fires when the starter button is pressed but kills immediately when the button is released. I pulled the plugs both front and back have spark. Checked connections all seem to be good, used electrical contact cleaner on the contacts.
Don't know where to go now, Any ideas

On a side note, while tracing wires I found the clutch safety switch will not allow the starter to engage when the clutch lever is fully pulled. Don't know what to make of this. Now With the bike in gear and the clutch lever pulled the rear wheel won't roll (still in gear). To my pea brain this part sounds like a clutch job, right?
Any help is appreciated
Thanks

[AK82kz440]

Any Ideas

[A2rider]

I wish I could help, but this is beyond me. Hopefully Stargate or Andy will know more about it and can help.

You pulled the start button housing and cleaned in there?

[AK82kz440]

Thanks Tina, I'll go back over that tonight and re-clean that area.

[A2rider]

Put some dielectric grease in there, too.

You're obviously getting a contact, but somewhere it's not letting it release when you take your finger off of it.

[OKC_Kent]

I know I heard of this problem before, on some forum. The engine runs as long as the button is pushed, but dies when released. Give us time, someone may have an answer, meanwhile I'll search the forums I'm on for that problem.

Is it possible your power to the coil is coming from a relay? Maybe from the starter relay or the headlight relay?

[dutch724]

Is the starter still cranking while the engine is running and your holding the start button?

[AK82kz440]

Originally Posted by dutch724

Is the starter still cranking while the engine is running and your holding the start button?

Yes the starter cranks and the engine sounds like it's running, when the starter switch is released the engine dies/won't run. I now know what the Valcon riders refer to as the "big bang"!! I see I'm gonna have to do some marbeling (I can't hear right now but I can still see).
Charlie

[taro]

And the fuel system and air filter are clean and operating properly?

[AK82kz440]

Originally Posted by OKC_Kent

I know I heard of this problem before, on some forum. The engine runs as long as the button is pushed, but dies when released. Give us time, someone may have an answer, meanwhile I'll search the forums I'm on for that problem.

Is it possible your power to the coil is coming from a relay? Maybe from the starter relay or the headlight relay?

How would I check if the power for the coils was coming from a relay?

[AK82kz440]

Originally Posted by taro

And the fuel system and air filter are clean and operating properly?

Fuel system was completely cleaned from tank to carb with inline fuel filters placed on fuel lines, air system was gone thru, new filters installed.

As I see it right now I've got three problems to deal with before I can get out to ride it:
1) Engine not staying running after starter disengaged, bike seems to be running then dies when starter button let go of.
2) Switch not allowing bike to be started when clutch lever is pulled in all the way, pin is not touched by clutch lever not allowed to crank starter.
3) Clutch not engaging, not allowing back tire to roll when clutch lever pulled in. Tire spins freely when in neutral, but when in gear with clutch pulled in no-go. For this I believe I'm going to have to do a clutch job (only way I see around it)

[StarGate]

For #2. If it's not allowing the the starter to work how are you coming to the conclusion you reached in #1?

For #3. First thing to check is the clutch adjustment. Second thing is that some times when bikes sit the clutch plates will stick together. You may be able to put it in gear then pull the clutch lever in and rock the bike back and forth to try and break them free. If this doesn't work then you'll probably have to pull the plates out and clean/replace them.

[AK82kz440]

Originally Posted by StarGate

For #2. If it's not allowing the the starter to work how are you coming to the conclusion you reached in #1?

For #3. First thing to check is the clutch adjustment. Second thing is that some times when bikes sit the clutch plates will stick together. You may be able to put it in gear then pull the clutch lever in and rock the bike back and forth to try and break them free. If this doesn't work then you'll probably have to pull the plates out and clean/replace them.

With the bike in neutral clutch lever released, starter will turn bike over, sounds like it starts, release starter button bike dies. Bike in neutral clutch lever pulled in starter button pushed - nothing. Sorry if I'm not making things clear, I'm trying. Thanks again for all the assistance.

[OKC_Kent]

Originally Posted by AK82kz440

How would I check if the power for the coils was coming from a relay?

Some people power their coils with a relay, avoiding the round-about route of supplying power to them by the stock, old, wiring system, which can (in older bikes) not supply 12v to the coil... It's a long process to fully describe but since I don't know the history of your machine it's a suggestion just put out there for you to check on. I was thinking if the coil power wire was hooked to the wrong pole of a relay, like the starter or headlight relay, then they would lose power once the start button is released.

In the meantime, locate the coil and set the meter to DC and see if you get approximately 12volts at the power wire when you turn it over, and see if there is no voltage when you release the starter button. This all may be related to your clutch switch too, but I don't have a wiring diagram to see. We want to eliminate a no-power situation to the coil as a cause.

Another thing I might try is to pull off the clutch switch wires and jump them together, then try to start it.
Does this bike normally have a kickstand safety switch?

[StarGate]

Has this bike ever run since you've owned it? It sure sounds like someone has gone in and hosed up the wiring and/or substituted incorrect parts on it.

[AK82kz440]

Bike hasn't run since I've owned it but if they hosed the wireing system they did an excelent job of it because I don't see any signs of splices or splitting of wires. I'm leaning towards a switch or relay being out or the unthinkable me getting senile and hooking things up wrong . OK, OK more senile.

[StarGate]

Well the clutch switch operating in what seems to be reverse could be done if they substituted a normally open switch for a normally closed switch. I'm not even sure how you could do this by switching the wires around.