did I burn up my starter?

[OregonVisionary]

Im scratching my head. I went out to start the bike and the key was in the ignition.. It was in the on position. The battery was toast. I tried charging it. After about 2 hrs on the charger I turned it on. The headlight came on fully but I go to start it and nothing. When I engaged the starter button the light dimmed a bit but it wouldnt turn over.

Like an idiot I went and bought a new battery. After replacing the old one the exact same thing happens.

I have no clue how I could be so stupid to leave the key on. I got home in a hurry hit the kill switch and ran in the house to stop a disaster and forgot to turn off the key I guess. I NEVER leave the key in except this one time.

DAMMIT it was running so well!

[QBS]

So, you left the key on two times?

[OregonVisionary]

No. I left it on once. Thats all it took.

[QBS]

Is your new battery dead?  If so, will it take and hold a charge?

[OregonVisionary]

Brand new battery. Its definately not dead. I turn the key and the headlight is on bright as ever in both regular and high beam modes. I push the starter button and it dims slightly. But the starter wont turn over.

[OregonVisionary]

maybe I should re-phrase the question:

If you leave the ignition key on with the headlight blazing will it burn up the starter?

[Extent]

No, the starter is only ever on when you hold the start button.  I wouldn't worry about the circumstances, just start at the starter solenoid and work your way back with the usual troubleshooting method.

[OregonVisionary]

Ill do that. Thanks.

[QBS]

Leaving the key on will only drain the battery.  Do you know the maintenance/oil seal up grade history of the starter?

[YellowJacket!]

May also be some corrosion in the start button leading to poor contact so check that too.

Just an FYI, most of our Visions NEED every bit of current from a fully charged battery to start.  Just slightly under results in loud backfires when cranking, anything less is futile.

David

[Lucky]

FYI, there is a "Park" position on the key switch 2 clicks past off. the first click locks the steering head if the bar is at full lock, the second click TURNS ON THE TAIL LIGHTS. this was a safety measure by Yamaha to provide a parking light if your on the side of the road at night.

in the daylight they are hard to see & i've drained a battery or two by mistake.  i've since disabled this position on my bikes....

[Lucky]

with the bike in neutral, KEY OFF, on the center stand, jump straight from the battery positive to the positive cable on the starter (carefully! don't touch ground) it will spark, but see if the starter spins, if not, bad starter.
if it spins then you have bad cables, or starter relay, start button, kill switch or associated wiring.

you can jump the starter solinoid with a screwdriver (same cautions) if the starter spins, test the switches for voltage when activated.

[fret not]

Oregon, would you mind turning your avatar off?  The flashing motion is distracting and is annoying.  Cheers.

[Tiger]

 :) Turn the ignition to 'on'...push the 'start' button and with a light hammer in the other hand, give the starter motor a couple of light wacks...does the starter motor turn now??

BTW...the headlight is supposed to go out when you hit the start button... ;)

              8) ....... TIGER ....... 8)

[The Prophet of Doom]

If you are doing the jump cable thing, wear safety glasses.  My experience of a hot spark in the eye was no fun at all.