1985 zl 900 won't start need help

[actionjack]

I'm not a mechanic so,..my zl900 won't start. It died while riding. Like it lost power. It would barely turn over like battery was dying. Got it home put in new battery and nothing. Lights come on but that's it. I tried with clutch in, clutch out, in neutral, in gear, kickstand up and down and still nothing. Any idea would be appreciated.

 

[madmanncr500]

Dose it click or make any noise when hitting starter button?

 

[actionjack]

No clicking noises. Like no power to solenoid.

 

[madmanncr500]

Try this first....left seat up and follow the wire from the kick stand kill switch and up plug ....on left side under seat some were.....

 

[actionjack]

A brother came over with a meter and found the starter is grounding out. Now I'm looking for a starter/brushes rebuild kit for it, or info as to what other starters may swap out with the 85 Eliminator because he has a number of other kaws. That's where I am now. Anyone? And thanks for being here.

 

[Jarney]

I think one of these may be compatible - these fit the ZL1000, but I'm not sure if they fit the 900 also. Later.

1986 ZG1000-A1 Concours STARTER MOTOR 1986 ZX1000-A1 Ninja 1000R STARTER MOTOR 1987 ZG1000-A2 Concours STARTER MOTOR 1987 ZL1000-A1 ZL1000 Eliminator STARTER MOTOR 1987 ZX1000-A2 Ninja 1000R STARTER MOTOR 1988 ZG1000-A3 Concours STARTER MOTOR

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[madmanncr500]

Let me know on the starter...I might have one or........ five around here

 

[actionjack]

I found a new rebuild kit for the starter $28. Delivers free but, 5-8 day turnaround time. Couldn't find whole starter. What's the information on and getting one of those starters?

 

[gosupes]

If the starter is shorted, you need to know what or where it's shorted before attempting a rebuild. These starters are common as they came in a lot of Concourses. The part numbers might be slightly different but physically they are the same. I would install a used one first. Might cost a little more but it's a whole lot easier and faster.

 

[actionjack]

I'm going to remove starter tomorrow and check it on a meter first to see if grounding was coming back into it from somewhere else or if it's contained in the starter itself. Then,.

 

[actionjack]

Starter rebuilt, had to get someone else to press off bearings, but bike runs now. Most of the time.. Now I'm having trouble with it dying for no apparent reason. I have to quickly switch off the ignition switch and the key then switch them both back on, start it over, down shift to keep going. It dies whether I'm doing 10 or 70 mph. Suggestions? Oh, and how do I go about downloading the service manual? That would be fantastic.

 

[Bozang1]

These bikes have a lot of connections under the headlight bucket. Maybe take them apart, clean them and put di-electric grease before reconnecting. Not super uncommon..

 

[Jarney]

Sounds like a bad connection around the ignition switch - not an uncommon thing on these bikes - as Bozang said, take the headlight and ignition switch areas apart, clean, dielectric grease everything and reassemble and see if that helps. Go to the Download section of this site and you can download the manuals for free - just click on each one to download. You'll need both manuals - the one that says GPZ Base Manual and the one that says ZL900 Supplement - both are near the bottom. Later.