Hello.
I have a 2004 KFX700. I am doing some trouble shooting. As I have learned about the starter system
I have come across so many people on the internet that are teaching different concepts
about Relays and Solenoids. My area of interest is the starter relay and starter solenoid
Here is what I have read from various sites.
1) The starter relay and starter solenoid are one in the same. Their names are interchangable
2) The relay is directly a part of the solenoid but each have their own coil.
3) They are separate devices
4) The solenoid does not act like a switch
5) The solenoids and relays are both switches
6) Starter relays are switches that regulate currents between battery and starter motor

I have my own understanding about the broader scope of how they work.
However, I wanted to ask my questions here to get your feedback.

KFX700 or other system designs similar
1) Does the starter relay act as a switch low level signals from battery to power higher current loads and does it send it to the starter solenoid?
2) When the starter is turned to "run" how do the relay/solenoid, and Ignition coil all work together?
3) If Relay functions control the flow of current in a separate circuit. Are they saying that a solenoid being a device that
converts electrical energy into linear motion would be on a seperate circuit.
4) Does the solenoid work to close the circuit to redirect the ignition coil to get power from the battery?

I appreciate anyone who would like to join in and help. Thank you!

 

I don't know the 700 Kawasaki, anything over 500cc uses too much fuel for UK farmers with petrol at about £1.50 a litre, and Kawasaki have lost market in the UK since they stopped making KLFs.

However, a relay and a solenoid is the same thing. Both are switches that take a signal and switch another circuit on and off. In bikes, the word "Solenoid" is almost exclusively used for starter motor relays, but starter circuits can have more than one relay, KLF300s do, one switches in the starter button circuit when the bike is in neutral, the other (main solenoid) switches in the starter when you press that button. Many bikes also run a signal wire from the starter circuit to the CDI, this tells the CDI to increase the strength of the spark when starting, as the engine is spinning slowly. Also battery power drops from about 12v to about 10v when turning the engine over so, on DC ignition systems, the CDI or ignitor is being fed less volts when starting and may need a boost to the spark.

 

Thank you so much for the info.
That clarified a lot for me!