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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Starting problem
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Message started by BelizeanBanman on 05/23/12 at 16:38:57

Title: Starting problem
Post by BelizeanBanman on 05/23/12 at 16:38:57

Time for another question from me.

I was rushed to the hospital on May the 18th, in the middle of an exam. I got released 2 days later and went to pick up my bike from on campus. It didn't start. It gave a loud CLICK sound to the back. A few minutes ago I removed the seat, and as I suspected the click came from the starter relay. Now for the question. Is the relay bad? It rained a lot that weekend, and the positive (red) wire was slightly wet, though I really don't think this is related. It didn't even respond when I hotwired it (holding a metal object over the contacts of the relay). Any suggestions?

Title: Re: Starting problem
Post by bill67 on 05/23/12 at 16:42:19

I would charge the battery first thing,With a battery charger.

Title: Re: Starting problem
Post by Serowbot on 05/23/12 at 16:44:03

weak battery...

Title: Re: Starting problem
Post by BelizeanBanman on 05/23/12 at 16:45:49

I got it home by push starting it and it started just fine like that.

OK, but here's the kicker: it SOMETIMES makes an effort to start. But it is a half assed effort. And it sounds like a dying cat..

Title: Re: Starting problem
Post by BelizeanBanman on 05/23/12 at 16:47:19

Ok so the general consensus says it is the battery. I will try to find someone to charge it tonight yet before I ask more questions. Wow, amazing quick replies :)

Title: Re: Starting problem
Post by bill67 on 05/23/12 at 16:47:33

Charge the battery

Title: Re: Starting problem
Post by bill67 on 05/23/12 at 16:49:24

Thats OK your only 19

Title: Re: Starting problem
Post by BelizeanBanman on 05/24/12 at 15:41:50

Ok I'm back. Charged the battery for 2-3 hrs on 2amps, and about 15 minutes on 12amps. Install the battery and TADA!! -nothing. The tester showed slightly over 12, so I know it has enough charge.

Anything else?

Title: Re: Starting problem
Post by bill67 on 05/24/12 at 16:14:21

Is the fuse OK

Title: Re: Starting problem
Post by Spamy on 05/24/12 at 16:20:00

Still the battery. The voltage can be fine but if the battery is no good it wont have the amperage to turn over the motor.

The clicking sound you heard is the starter motor pushing out the gear to engage, but then it doesnt have enough amperage to turn the motor so it retracts the gear and tries again. Thus the click, click sound.

If its not the battery then its a loose or broken wire. But most likely the battery.

Title: Re: Starting problem
Post by Spamy on 05/24/12 at 16:21:25

Oh yea, also at 2 amps you will have to charge the battery for more like 6 hours. At 6 amps you will get something worthwhile in 2hrs.

Well, actually im thinking times on a full size battery. But still it will take longer.

Title: Re: Starting problem
Post by Oldfeller on 05/24/12 at 16:23:00

A fully charged battery should show over 13 volts, less than 12.5 volts after a full charge indicates the possibility of a bad cell (s).

To test this out, report your voltage measured while cranking the bike

Anything less than 11 volts is BAD NEWS as below this the black box won't fire the plug.

You still haven't charged the battery completely, so try again for at least six hours at 2 amps

Title: Re: Starting problem
Post by BelizeanBanman on 05/24/12 at 17:24:12

Ok I'll do a 6 hours at 2 amps. Don't think the guy will want to open his shop at this hour or else I'd do an overnight.

I'm curious tho, what could have caused it to drain that much?

Title: Re: Starting problem
Post by BelizeanBanman on 05/24/12 at 17:26:11

I checked the fuses. With the 30 removed, it would make a different, more subdued click and the lights would come on. With the 20 removed, nothing, not even the lights. So obviously they are good.

I really think now that the battery is the culprit.

Title: Re: Starting problem
Post by cbp676 on 05/25/12 at 06:26:41

I seem to be having the same problem with my 1998 Suzuki Savage. I purchased a new battery, because the old one just would not fully charge. I sprayed all the electrical connectors with cleaner. I replaced the solenoid. I attached a battery jumper to the starter itself and it turned on just fine whirling away. I can push start it to turn on but I am not 18 anymore and it is not so easy. What else could be the problem? I am just getting one click when I am trying to start it.

Title: Re: Starting problem
Post by BelizeanBanman on 05/25/12 at 07:08:44

Does the click come from under the tank? If it does, then there is a small black box close to the carb (attached the the frame pretty near to the tank) that you can flick with your fingers. It is kinda hard to reach but it does the trick for me

Title: Re: Starting problem
Post by BelizeanBanman on 05/26/12 at 23:02:08

OK!! I am driving again. The seal between the starter and engine wasn't good, and the starter had quite a few table spoons of oil in it, effectively causing the starter to not get the spark it needed. Also the brushes were almost gone. Took it a a local mechanic guy who rebuilt it for 12 bucks. Can't complain. And, I'm riding again! :D

Title: Re: Starting problem
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/26/12 at 23:53:17

Good going!

Title: Re: Starting problem
Post by 360k+ on 05/27/12 at 12:28:03

Here's one thing that comes to mind... will the motor turn over if the compression release is not operating? I mean does the starter have enough power to push it thru the initial compression cycle?

Oops, too late... that's what being distracted by the Indy500 does.