Starter button not coming out when pushed in

[TobinM]

I've got a strange problem with my 86' fj1200. The starter button when pushed in won't come out, so I have to pull it out when the bike starts so the starter motor doesn't keep running. I bought the bike about 6 months ago and it never really bugged me until now, the seller said it's missing a ball in the button to make it come out, not sure as to what that is though. Anyone have an idea on what's wrong with it or what part I could buy to fix this. Thank you for the help

[FJmonkey]

Not sure about a ball missing. I had a similar issue with my '86. Opened it up, studied how it comes apart. Cleaned it, lubed it, put it all back. Worked great after that. 30 years of old grease and who knows what got in over that time.   

[Motofun]

If I remember there's a leaf spring under the button that's prone to breaking. 

[Sparky84]

I've had mine stick a bit and I just used a bit of silicone spray, the slippery stuff.
I didn't drown it but just on sides and top of button to help it slide a bit better on the recess it goes into when pushed.

[86FJNJ]

ebay

[T Legg]

Here are some pictures of the insides of the starter switch I took a few years back. Ive found the springs can get wet and rust. If the springs arent rusted so bad that they are weak you can clean everything up and lubricate it with silicone dielectric grease and get it working again. The best way to clean the electrical contacts is by rubbing them with a pencil eraser.

[TobinM]

Here are some pictures of the insides of the starter switch I took a few years back. Ive found the springs can get wet and rust. If the springs arent rusted so bad that they are weak you can clean everything up and lubricate it with silicone dielectric grease and get it working again. The best way to clean the electrical contacts is by rubbing them with a pencil eraser.

I think I might be missing the spring and that metal ball, because it goes in just fine, it isn't sticky or anything, just literally doesn't come back out.

[TobinM]

I've had mine stick a bit and I just used a bit of silicone spray, the slippery stuff.
I didn't drown it but just on sides and top of button to help it slide a bit better on the recess it goes into when pushed.

Mines not a sticky I think is the weird thing, like it has no spring or anything trying to push it back out. It goes in perfectly fine, just have to pull it out which isn't hard it slides fine.

[TobinM]

Not sure about a ball missing. I had a similar issue with my '86. Opened it up, studied how it comes apart. Cleaned it, lubed it, put it all back. Worked great after that. 30 years of old grease and who knows what got in over that time.   

I think I'm missing the spring, cause it goes in just fine, just nothing is trying to push it back out. I just have to pull it a little and it slides on out without resistance but there's nothing assisting or trying.

[TobinM]

If I remember there's a leaf spring under the button that's prone to breaking. 

Probably what happened, cause it slides in and out just fine, no sticking, but it just doesn't spring back

[FJmonkey]

I guess it is time to open it up and have a look.