V7 850 won't start

[bobrebos1]

UPDATE:  I flooded my starter button with Deoxit three weeks ago.  So far no starting problems since!  Woo hoo!!!

[Vagrant]

UPDATE:  I flooded my starter button with Deoxit three weeks ago.  So far no starting problems since!  Woo hoo!!!

didn't we suggest that a year ago?

[bobrebos1]

didn't we suggest that a year ago?

I sprayed Deoxit on the switch a year ago and it didn’t work.  My point is this time I sprayed a whole bunch of it in the switch and it seems to be working. 

[Vagrant]

It's actually more sealed up than it looks. My v7-2 is working for 7000 miles with just a big flushing spray. The v7-3 that I took apart was still working when I parked it for the winter in Dec. Knock on wood!

[bobrebos1]

It's actually more sealed up than it looks. My v7-2 is working for 7000 miles with just a big flushing spray. The v7-3 that I took apart was still working when I parked it for the winter in Dec. Knock on wood!

Great to hear! 

[Moparnut72]

I use CRC (?) Contact Cleaner on things like this. My KitchenAid mixer switch needs a somewhat regular treatment as do my boat trailer electrical connectors.
kk

[Kiwi_Roy]

V7 850 special was purchased new from Cadre in March; has 4,600 miles on odo. The day after returning home from Ohio rally, the bike wouldn't start. Normal light show when ignition key turned on, but no click and starter action. I put battery on charger; when charger indicates full charge, still no start. My guess is battery is shot. There was no prior hint of any electrical issue.

I will get the battery tested. If it is the battery, will it be covered under warranty? What other underlying issue might cause a 6 month old battery to die? Suggestions for a good replacement battery?

Thanks,

Jon

Are you trying to start it in gear?
Must be in Neutral or with stand folded up then it will start if you pull the clutch lever in.
It could also be Startus Interuptus (bad electrical design AKA Startus Interuptus) Test the starter by running a wire direct from the spade connector on the solenoid to battery positive OR the large Hot terminal of the solenoid, if it pulls in and cranks with this hot wire it's good.
Startus Interuptus is caused by too much resistance in the wiring to the starter solenoid, it draws ~59 Amps, if there is any resistance the solenoid will not have enough grunt to pull the starter into mesh. On some models the Start relay is fed thru the ignition switch which can develop several Ohms of resistance 0.1 Ohm is too much, that would drop 6 Volts
(Voltage = Current x Resistance) Try working the Ignition Switch a few times
The Start relay contact should be fed directly from Battery+ thru a 20 Amp fuse bypassing the ignition switch.
Also the wire from the Start relay to the Start solenoid is often too small, upsize it to 18 gauge.
BTW the solenoid current drops to around 11 Amps while cranking

[spencer_spencer]

This happened to my V7 after purchasing last October and riding hundreds of miles in the rain. I took apart the switch, cleaned the contacts and applied dielectric grease. It’s been almost a year and it has never malfunctioned again.

I think I am having a similar problem after an absolute downpour yesterday and leaving it outside all day! Today I was trying to start it and just holding the start button in was doing nothing. It eventually started on the umpteenth attempt to get me home and I’m trying to diagnose in my garage. Battery is at 12.7v. I’ve had a readthrough this forum and have opened up the switch. Although it’s hard to get at with all the wiring. Anyone able to give more specific instructions? I can see a tiny spring where the switch is and two wires coming out the back. Where exactly should I be greasing? I’ve tried spraying contact cleaner and flushing it out but it didn’t help!

https://youtube.com/shorts/W-L19gimVVw?si=6oj5LCcZcLgib5_E

Here’s a video of it starting after holding the button for a long time.. now it’s not starting at all!

Thanks

Phil

[John A]

Don’t exceed the duty cycle on the starter or the smoke may leak out….

[guzzisteve]

Just goes to show you it's not a car, even though you have gadgets like a car. Motorcycles are not waterproof they are water resistant.

[Vagrant]

Most here only use Deoxit for electrical issues.
Many of the v7 series have this issue. It's a rocker switch, not a straight in pusher. Take it apart. If you search here you might find my post from 3-6 years ago on hoy I fixed mine.

[Vagrant]

It's already here. Go back to #5 and read everything here.

[ridingron]

Has anyone tried flooding the switch with WD-40? It's easier to find if you're caught on the road.

[John A]

I think wd40 is a poor choice for that . Snot very good around some plastics and tends to get sticky. If I was having trouble on the road, I’d go to an auto parts store or fleet farm and read labels

[kingoffleece]

Or carry a small can of it with you.

[ridingron]

I think wd40 is a poor choice for that . Snot very good around some plastics and tends to get sticky. If I was having trouble on the road, I’d go to an auto parts store or fleet farm and read labels

Guzzi plastic must be different than Honda plastic. Been doing this for over 20 years on Honda's bikes, no problems.

The WD in WD-40 stands for water displacement.

As a lubricant, it is only good for short term use.

[Dr. Enzo Toma]

I have literally "dry" washed bikes in the regular WD-40 Multi-Purpose spray. Never had an issue with plastics. After a wipe down it's less of a mess than silicone spray. Just be sure it's the right WD-40, they make a lot of products other than the main Water-Displacement 40th formula.

[red stripeguz]

I haven't had any issues with my starter switch (yet, knock on wood) but my mode switch on my '23 likes to stick, especially after washing the bike. Apparently that switch housing and everything in it is VERY susceptible to water. When it gets nnoying enough I spray it with electronics cleaner and that helps for a while