# 2004 HONDA GL1800A — ENGINE
> NHTSA complaint `1418458` · 2017-10-26 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** Yes
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** HONDA
- **Model:** GL1800A
- **Year:** 2004
- **Manufacturer:** Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
- **Component:** ENGINE
- **Miles at failure:** 45,000
- **Speed:** 45 mph
## Narrative
I HAVE A 2004 HONDA GOLDWING WITH A CALIFORNIA SIDE CAR KIT.  I PURCHASED IT FROM THE SECOND OWNER ABOUT 1.5 YRS AGO.  ABOUT A YEAR AGO I WAS RIDING A BACK ROAD WHEN THE STARTER ENGAGED.  I HADN'T TOUCHED THE START SWITCH?  I TRIED THE KILL SWITCH BOTH POSITIONS AS THIS MODEL HAS AN UP AND DOWN FEATURE.  I THEN TURNED THE IGNITION OFF, NO AVAIL.  FINALLY IT STOPPED ON IT'S OWN.   AFTER RETURNING HOME IT WOULD NOT RESTART, I DID A CHECK AND FOUND THE START RELAY WAS FRIED.   A FEW WEEKS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN SAME SYMPTOMS AND RESPONSE TO WHAT SHOULD HAVE SHUT A BIKE DOWN SAME RESULTS.  I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER IN LAKE CITY, FL.  AFTER TRYING TO SELL ME A NEW BIKE PIECE BY PIECE I PAID MY $1K AND LEFT WITH A NEW STARTER AND NEW STARTER RELAY.  A COUPLE WEEKS LATER WHEN IT HAPPENED I HAD SEVERAL STARTER RELAYS ONBOARD AND SURE ENOUGH REPLACE THE START RELAY IT STARTED I MADE IT HOME.   THIS WEEK WHILE WASHING IT I TURNED THE KEY ON AND BEFORE I COULD MOUNT IT IT STARTED CHUGGING BY THE STARTER THROUGH MY YARD.  CHOICE LEAVE IT AND ALLOW IT TO STOP BY RUNNNING IN THE HOUSE OR A CAR TO GET A WRENCH TO TAKE THE NEGATIVE OFF THE BATTERY OR STAY WITH IT AN CHOKE IT DOWN USING THE BRAKES.  AGAIN START RELAY AND STARTER.  I REALIZE YOU DON'T DEAL WITH WARRANTY ISSUES BUT IMAGINE NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP A MOTORCYCLE WITH THE KEY, THE KILL SWITCH OR BEING ABLE TO CONTROL IT WITH THE CLUTCH SINCE THE STARTER HAS NO CONNECTION.   THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND DISCUSSED ON GOLDWING FORU
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*