Turned off ignition and starter activated. Key would not disengage. Now won't start

[mrrichman]

2008 RSV. Craziest thing happened when I got off my bike at work today. I turned the key to off and the starter activated. I turned the key back and forth with no affect. Finally put bike in gear to stop the starter. This ever happen to anyone else?

[RedRider]

Have you done any modifications to your Venture? Such as removing the cassette deck?

 

There is a ground wire in there that, when exposed and hitting a grounding point, will cause the starter to keep running.

 

RR

[cowpuc]

Had it happen on an old Shovelhead once, had to disconnect the battery to disengage the starter.. Turned out to be a failed solenoid.. Maybe you have a relay or solenoid that stuck.. Be thankful you weren't cruising down the road and had that happen if thats what it is - can sure mess up a flywheel or starter if that happens..

[YamahaLarry]

Had it happen on an old Shovelhead once, had to disconnect the battery to disengage the starter.. Turned out to be a failed solenoid.. Maybe you have a relay or solenoid that stuck.. Be thankful you weren't cruising down the road and had that happen if thats what it is - can sure mess up a flywheel or starter if that happens..

 

 

I am guessing that could be a likely cause. Had similar issue happen to me once on a garden tractor. The starter must have been engaged the entire time it was running that last time and when the ignition was turned off, the starter kept turning. Surprised it didn't wear off the teeth because it had the bendix drive. I don't know how the relay/solenoid for the Venture is wired. Never had a need to investigate. But on the garden tractor it was just the standard solenoid that has been used forever.

 

Also was surprised that I didn't hear the starter running while the tractor was running.

[yamagrl]

Good news Rich!

 

The best place to start looking is at the Starter Solenoid relay

 

I'm guessing the solenoid relay is stuck. (Bad)

I'm also guessing that the battery is currently disconnected.

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1. Unplug the connector with the small wires that is going to the solenoid relay. You will find it on the left side of the bike (This will tell us if the solenoid is stuck or if the problem is north of there.)

2. Momentarily connect the battery cable and see what happens.

• If the problem continues then the solenoid is bad. Replace it
  
• If the problem does not continue with the battery hooked up then there is a problem in the circuit somewhere north of the solenoid. I kind of doubt that this is the issue because there would have to be multiple things all happening in concert to make the starter engage with the key in the off position.
  

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Let me know

 

Heather

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Edited October 30, 2016 by yamagrl