Starter issues

[1998ténéré]

Last week when running some errands my 1998 Yamaha xt660z failed to start. I managed to bump start it to get back home. I suspect a bad starter, but I figured I'd run it by you guys just to be sure. The ignition switches on when I turn the key, and when I press the start button I hear a buzzing sound, but the engine does not turn over. I did notice that when I press the button, my tachometer jumps to 8000 revs, and the starter feels hot to the touch. I later noticed that the turn signal dash lights were a little dim, and when I turned on the headlight the engine cut off. Is my guess right that the starter is bad, or might there be a deeper electrical problem?

[donnybach]

I’d suggest looking for a short somewhere in the headlight wiring. And check the main fuse too. Battery may be shot or just discharged but also see if starter functions direct from a different supply.
I had a mysterious fault on my 1vj trying to get to the dragon rally. Kept blowing the main 15A fuse. Would still run…just, as I could kick it, for a while, then die. It would run without sidelights on. But it was February. Eventually found the screws for the bar mounts or clocks were too long and protruded below the top yoke. Rubbed the cables. Only sometimes (not often enough to be glaringly obvious) the bare copper would touch the bolt, and kill all the eleccy.
Are your lights always on or can they be turned off?
Charge and check battery, check fuse, check starter, and best to check starter solenoid too, all with lights off. See what it’s like then try with lights on.
Hope some of this helps. It usually is quite simple once found, but can be a worry beforehand (worst case scenario), but I reckon it’ll be a cheap fix either way.

[Mezo]

Battery normally (even though it may read 12v) under load it may be useless, try jumping from your car (good battery) if not the battery at fault then try the starter relay, unlikely the starter motor itself.

Mezo.