Intermittent starting problem - ZXR4

[Rob W]

Sometimes when I go to start the bike, when I press the starter button, nothing happens. Most of the time I have to pull the clutch in and it will fire up, so I just assumed it was a dodgy clutch switch, but recently it's started doing it even with the clutch in. A few times I've noticed as well it wont even attempt to turn over, even with the clutch in so I have to bump it (like at the petrol station last night ). Now I've whipped the battery off this morning to charge it, and noticed that the starter solenoid was hanging out half out of it's rubber mounting, so I've pushed it back in.

Does this just sound like a dodgy starter solenoid? Or is it a combination of both a dodgy switch and solenoid? I've checked both fuses on the solenoid and there OK, is there anyway to clean them up or do I need a new one?

Cheers.
____________________
TS50 > Senda 125 > ZXR400 > CB-1 > GSX-R1000 > Bandit 600 > ZXR750 H1 > GSX-R750 SRAD > '98 RR-W Fireblade > T595 Daytona > Hornet 900 > '04 Fireblade > GSX-S1000F (x2) > '23 XSR900

[Barry_M2]

The solenoid you talk about is in fact the starter relay.

The solenoid is usually part of the starter motor it's self, and yes, sometimes these can stick. I had this a couple of times on my old 750L1 before I got rid. You can get round it temporarily by sticking it in gear and rock the bike back and forward with the clutch out (worked for me).

The only way to test the solenoid would be to remove the starter and make sure it's moving freely. Give it a squirt of WD40 too.