97 F3 non-starter

trotsky · 06-22-2007, 12:07 PM

Just picked up my new (to me) F3. It is a fixer upper so I know I have my work cut out for me. Bought a brand new battery for it yesterday and charged it up. All is hooked up, but it won't start.

ignition on
kill switch on
in neutral (although neutral light is out)
clutch pulled in
side stand up

the light goes out and that's all. No sounds, not even a hint of movement from anywhere in the engine.

The bike has been sitting a little while so there may be something sticking. I put it in gear and moved it backwards and forwards and it sounds like the engine is moving and I know it ran when the previous owners left it in their garage.

Any clues?

Paddy · 06-22-2007, 4:27 PM

Have you checked all the fuse's.Are the lights working.

Paddy.

trotsky · 06-22-2007, 4:32 PM

haven't checked the fuses yet, but the headlight is working. It goes out when I press the starter button. I remember my last honda had an issue with the starter button...maybe I will check in there too. Will start with fuses when I get home...or maybe see if it will jump start down my driveway just to see if it is running at all.

Paddy · 06-22-2007, 4:43 PM

Is there a click sound form the right side off the bike near the battery when
you press the button.

Paddy.

trotsky · 06-22-2007, 5:09 PM

nope...no noise at all. There is a click when I turn the ignition on and off, but that is up front somewhere behind the dash.

Paddy · 06-22-2007, 5:19 PM

Check the connection on the battery then check then on the starter relay(it is
connected to the positive lead of the battery)make sure they are clean.You
might need to use sand paper to clean them.

Paddy.

Paddy · 06-22-2007, 5:24 PM

If put a screw driver across the two connections on the relay and the starter
turns then it is most likely the button is not working.

Paddy.

trotsky · 06-23-2007, 1:57 AM

found it. Bad ground on the wire coming from the clutch switch.