Solenoid?

[glennm]

Hi
I have a z122 with the Kawasaki engine. Today it just clicks when trying to start it. I payed around with all the safety switches and I think, but not sure they are all fine. When I bridge the starter solenoid with a screwdriver it will start. What I am wondering is the solenoid shot? I’m assuming that the switches will still block the starting this way if they are bad?
Thanks in advance

 

[Smilingreen]

Typically, if it clicks, then all of your safety sensors are working. If you can start it by bypassing the starter solenoid, then it sounds like your solenoid is the culprit. Can you disassemble the solenoid and see it the contact rings are pitted? Some solenoids, you can rotate the internal contact washers and extend the life of the solenoid. Bad part about that, is by the time it starts acting up again, you have roasted the starter motor windings and you end up replacing the starter, anyways.

 

[bczoom]

If it's a solenoid similar to what's in the picture below, yes, they go bad, no they're not worth fixing.
They're under $20 at Amazon. Just make sure you get the right one.

 

[glennm]

Is there a way of confirming it’s the solenoid? Like Smilingreen said if it clicks then all the switches are good?

 

[Fedup]

Absolutely. First confirm that the solenoid coil is grounded, then apply battery voltage to the start terminal (the spade or post the key switch start wire attaches to). A working solenoid will engage and the starter will crank the engine. Just hearing a click "somewhere" doesn't answer all the questions.