Maybe the Starter?

[Jamesx03]

So I took off my kill switch on the stand because it was messing everything up. The bike started to work fine, but sometimes, If I had the kickstand a certain way, it wouldn't start even after I took out the switch (maybe I didn't take all of it out idk) either way. It was killing the battery, but it would turn on fine after a couple of tries. So I am trying to get it to work yesterday, and at first, I thought the ignition button got stuck cause it didn't stop attempting to turn over. I got it unstuck, and it was still trying to start; luckily, cause the battery was dying, I had it hooked up to a new fresh battery ( i didn't have the tools on hand to switch out the batteries). So while it's hooked up, I waited for it to get a little charge. I hit the ignition, gave it a little bit of gas just in case, and it's just attempting to turn over and over and over. I quickly put the kickstand down, hoping it would stop with the kill switch. It's still going. I hit the hand kill switch by the ignition still going, I took the key out, and it was still going. In a panic, I disconnected the fresh battery so it wouldn't keep charging, and the battery died, thankfully. I thought it was a glitch once the battery died, and it couldn't keep turning, and I let it sit for about 10 minutes, then as soon as I got the battery reconnected, it started attempting to start again—no idea what's going on.

[CROSSBOLT]

First of all, the sidestand switch must either be there and working* for the engine to start and run or it must be bypassed by plugging the harness into the loose plug with the two green wires.

Second, your term "ignition button" probably means "starter button," doesn't it? The fact the starter just kept cranking the engine probably means the start relay welded itself closed. Usually that happens when battery voltage drops from repeated long crankings to get the engine to fire.

Third, the Downtown 300i is fuel injected. It does not need "a little throttle" to start. This engine will normally start within one to three revolutions, usually one or two, EVERY time a start is attempted. Anything beyond three revolutions is a waste of time, effort and battery. Anything beyond three revolutions means something is WRONG with the engine and must be fixed before normal operations.

Finally, we need lots of information to begin troubleshooting this. Information like year, miles, maintainance history, modifications and changes in performance if any.

[stuo]

The starter relay is stuck on; the contacts are welded shut. You can buy one on ebay for less than $20.

[CROSSBOLT]

So I took off my kill switch on the stand because it was messing everything up. The bike started to work fine, but sometimes, If I had the kickstand a certain way, it wouldn't start even after I took out the switch (maybe I didn't take all of it out idk) either way. It was killing the battery, but it would turn on fine after a couple of tries. So I am trying to get it to work yesterday, and at first, I thought the ignition button got stuck cause it didn't stop attempting to turn over. I got it unstuck, and it was still trying to start; luckily, cause the battery was dying, I had it hooked up to a new fresh battery ( i didn't have the tools on hand to switch out the batteries). So while it's hooked up, I waited for it to get a little charge. I hit the ignition, gave it a little bit of gas just in case, and it's just attempting to turn over and over and over. I quickly put the kickstand down, hoping it would stop with the kill switch. It's still going. I hit the hand kill switch by the ignition still going, I took the key out, and it was still going. In a panic, I disconnected the fresh battery so it wouldn't keep charging, and the battery died, thankfully. I thought it was a glitch once the battery died, and it couldn't keep turning, and I let it sit for about 10 minutes, then as soon as I got the battery reconnected, it started attempting to start again—no idea what's going on.

Just checked MY posts AND yours. You had a start problem with a People GTi300 March 21, 2021 that I made recommendations after asking questions. Now you have a Downtown that won't start with the same kind of vague and confusing descriptions.

You did not respond on the People and now the silence on the Downtown is deafening.

[Stig / Major Tom]

Just checked MY posts AND yours. You had a start problem with a People GTi300 March 21, 2021 that I made recommendations after asking questions. Now you have a Downtown that won't start with the same kind of vague and confusing descriptions.

You did not respond on the People and now the silence on the Downtown is deafening.

Good catch Bolts!
Frustrating isn't it!
Like'rs doing the same recently.
Stig

[CROSSBOLT]

Good catch Bolts!
Frustrating isn't it!
Like'rs doing the same recently.
Stig

Thanks, Tom! I needed that!