Electric Starter Problem

[Bruck15]

I purchased a 1986 honda spree about a month ago and the electric starter hasn't worked from day one. The kick start works fine, but electric starter won't work. The battery is works and runs the other things fine. There is no click when i press the starter button either. Any ideas of what the problem is?

Thanks in advance for any help!

[kingpinxs]

im assuming you know you have to hold the back brake in all the way when you start it otherwise it wont start...

[Bruck15]

Yes.

[hondaman]

The first thing you want to determine is that your battery is good and is fully charged. If that checks out look for any loose or disconnected wires to your starter. If that checks out it is either a bad starter relay or your starter itself is bad.

[Kenny_McCormic]

Get out a multimeter and some alligator clip jumpers. Does the relay get 12 volts? When you hit the start button does the starter get 12 volts? If the relay wont switch will it switch if you hotwire it (put 12 volts to the trigger and round to the other little wire)?

[Bruck15]

Thanks guys!! I'll try these things out this weekend when i have some time and let you know if i can get it figured out! Really appreciate the help.

[Clivester]

You can also test the relay by putting a screwdriver across the contacts (on the starter circuit side, not the switch side) to short it with the ignition key on. If the relay is bad the starter will turn over.

Clive.

[mousewheels]

Screwdriver across the contacts a handy tip.

On the llittle Honda scooters, Spree, Elite, scooters you don't need to turn the ignition on, the path from battery to relay is always hot. It's also unfused, so be careful with your screwdriver, keep it from touching your frame.

[dei4life38]

If you have your service manual for the machine, check the chapter on the ignition system and back track the problem from start to finish. I did this on an elite and determined my problem was the cdi.