07 Road Star Silverado engine won't quit

[grayb]

Had the bike about 9 months, no major issues at all. ~25k miles. Now: with or without key in, with or without kill switch off/on, engine won't stop. Only way I've gotten it to stop is to disconnect the battery and the leads arc enough to weld the terminals to the lead rings when they make contact and they are, needless to say, HOT. And when they do contact the motor turns over trying to start (with key off and out and kill switch either on or off). It's like it's hardwired to the battery now with no starter relay or anything in between. Speaking of, does this sound like the starter relay? I've ordered one just to see. But I've never had a motor do this. Help!

[Shotround]

Starter relay stuck in on position? Whack the relay to see if it breaks free. Replace it if it does. Maybe remove the relay and see if it tries to run.

[davej]

I agree it sounds like a stuck starter relay.

[Kurf]

Yep: must be the relay, had it before on one of my bikes.

[grayb]

I banged around on it but it didn't change anything but glad to hear you guys agree prob the relay. I will update after the part gets here and I can replace. Much appreciated.

[Chooch]

Would you like to test the relay to verify that is the actual problem?

[Chooch]

Remember that you are testing to verify that the contacts actually close when power is applied to the coil and open when power is removed.

[Lug Nut]

And absolutely get an OEM Yamaha relay not a $10 eBay relay

[grayb]

well while waiting for the relay to be delivered I disconnected all the relays/connections directly surrounding the battery and it is still turning the motor over when I make contact with the batt cables to terminals. with the starter relay OUT it shouldn't turn at all, correct? the juice to the starter should be cut. I have the clyburn manual but it's a bit hard to follow at times and electrical stuff is like voodoo so any additional input is appreciated.

[Chooch]

The procedure for testing the relay is explained in the pages above.

[Kurf]

That should not be possible…. If you remove the relay you remove the connection from battery to startermotor. Can you trace where the power to the startermotor is coming from? Must be a short circuit somewhere.

[Mr. Miyagi]

There has to be voltage on the hot side of the starter. Start tracing the cable from the hot side of the starter and figure out how that can happen.

[Lug Nut]

How would you have a connection directly from battery to starter outside of the starter relay? Is there some weird electrical doodads someone added on? Find what is not COMPLETELY STOCK on bike and look carefully at that first

[grayb]

yeah I'm trying to trace it thinking I've got some kind of ground loop from a worn wire to frame or something. AFAIK the scooter is stock except for the saddlebags which I replaced. I haven't seen evidence of anything aftermarket except a hard lead on the battery for a battery tender. all else looks stock but I know, I know. I'll post as I/if I make progress. thanks for the input to all.

[davej]

You are at the wrong relay if you removed wires and it still cranks over by itself. Follow the pos battery cable down to under the left side cover. That is where the starter relay is located. The cable coming from the battery is connected to it. If that cable is disconnected from that relay it cant have power to the starter.

[Brad_G]

Can you post a picture of what you're calling the starter relay? Not to come off as an ass...but I can't think of how this would be possible if you truly removed the relay. Now if you're talking about unplugging the wires going into the starter relay and not disconnecting the battery and starter cables the relay could be stuck closed (in the start position) and cause it. I'd assume any aftermarket or changed wiring would simply smoke under the load of the starter.

[Sharpman66]

That happened to me. It was the starter relay. Definetly buy OEM. I tried saving some money and bought one from Amazon for $25 and it fell apart.