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California 1100i not starting

S

Stephen Hunt

Just got it firing!
Joined
Aug 28, 2021
Messages
3
Location
Devon, UK
Hi, I try to start the bike, all lights come on, but when I press the starter it sounds like the starter is struggling to turn the engine. It turns a tiny amount and then jams. If I persist I get a drift of smoke from under the tank somewhere. I took the plugs out, put a little WD40 in there, and engine will turn by turning rear wheel in gear. Plugs back in - and still no start. Worked fine about 2 weeks ago. Confused!
Thanks.
 
Smoke coming out from under the tank is not good, could be electrical and wires burning. Why did you put WD40 in the cylinders? Get the battery tested. Do all the lights go out when you try to start, will the engine spin over with the plugs out, so many questions.
 
I moved your thread from Introductions (which is only for introductions not technical questions) to the correct section. What Kevin said. If the battery tests good, then you may have a starter issue. It is drawing so many amps there is nothing left for the ignition.
 
Guzzis of that era used a Valeo starter that had the bad habit of the magnets falling off and jamming up the starter. I'd disconnect the battery, remove the starter and have it checked out by a local automotive electrical repair shop.
 
I’m with Charlie (Amboman). Sounds like a jammed up starter.

Stop trying to start it until you remove and check the starter. You could potentially fry your wiring loom which would really suck!
 
Kevin.NZ said:
Smoke coming out from under the tank is not good, could be electrical and wires burning. Why did you put WD40 in the cylinders? Get the battery tested. Do all the lights go out when you try to start, will the engine spin over with the plugs out, so many questions.
Click to expand...
Hi, I thought maybe the engine was seized, that’s why I tried some WD40. Battery is new, so should be OK. I can turn the engine with back wheel in gear if plugs are out. I haven’t tried using the starter with the plugs out, I wasn’t sure this would be a good plan? Lights dim when I press the starter.
 
Stephen Hunt said:
Thanks. I’ll do that. Much appreciated. Easy to do?
Click to expand...

You are most welcome!

If you have solid mechanical skills, it’s not a hard job. Just time consuming and you have to get down in there and get your hands a little dirty.

Service manual is available in DOWNLOADS section.
 
Easy to remove the starter. Disconnect the battery. Remove the cover from over the solenoid (top of starter) if it has one. Remove the two bolts holding the starting to the engine/transmission, disconnect the battery cable and wire to the solenoid.
 
Smoke is invariably wire insulation burning. Something is shorted or otherwise drawing too much current. Find the cause - typically starter or its relay but you could just have a dead short of crossed wires chafed trough. The burnt wiring will have to be replaced too.
Take the starter motor out and see if it has jammed.
 
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