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Message started by ahusain on 11/02/14 at 16:33:36

Title: Fell over, now she won't start. Buzzing?
Post by ahusain on 11/02/14 at 16:33:36

So we had some rain, snow and high winds today and I'm guessing the wind caught the cover and she fell over. Luckily the foot peg caught the curb and she rolled right up on to the sidewalk. No visible damage other than a rear turn signal housing but now she won't start.

Lights work, gas in the tank... starter tries but it ends with a BZZZT underneath somewhere. Other folks have suggested either a weak battery or flooded engine.

Any ideas? It's been cold and wet all weekend and the bike was on her side for at least a couple of hours, if that helps. Never had issues before.

Title: Re: Fell over, now she won't start. Buzzing?
Post by ahusain on 11/02/14 at 16:43:54

http://i.imgur.com/tvn1UIK.png
http://i.imgur.com/YZrY7R2.png

Title: Re: Fell over, now she won't start. Buzzing?
Post by Todd James on 11/02/14 at 17:03:55

The battery may have spilled acid.
If so, the voltage may be to low to spin the starter.
Check the battery box.
If you find spilled acid then flush the whole area
with plenty of water and baking soda.
... and replace the battery.

Title: Re: Fell over, now she won't start. Buzzing?
Post by Jeff71 on 11/02/14 at 17:12:36

Is it just me or is your rear tire bald?
As for the starting, I'm thinking the battery issue as well.
Jeff

Title: Re: Fell over, now she won't start. Buzzing?
Post by Yoshi on 11/02/14 at 17:16:51

Sounds like a battery to me too.

Looks like you didnt lock your handlebars? You should atleast turn the bars to the left when parking, it keeps your bike on the kickstand better.

Title: Re: Fell over, now she won't start. Buzzing?
Post by ahusain on 11/02/14 at 17:27:50

4C6360603137060 wrote:

Is it just me or is your rear tire bald?
As for the starting, I'm thinking the battery issue as well.
Jeff

Plenty of life in the tires still -- Just the pic....

Title: Re: Fell over, now she won't start. Buzzing?
Post by ahusain on 11/02/14 at 17:32:28

0312033A3638322120383A530 wrote:

Sounds like a battery to me too.

Looks like you didnt lock your handlebars? You should atleast turn the bars to the left when parking, it keeps your bike on the kickstand better.

Yeah I do turn the bars left , but I don't usually lock them. This isn't a rough area and I figured the chain & Ulock are enough of a visual deterrent but maybe I should start locking the handlebars too.

Title: Re: Fell over, now she won't start. Buzzing?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 11/02/14 at 18:40:23

Covers catch a lot of wind..

Title: Re: Fell over, now she won't start. Buzzing?
Post by ahusain on 11/04/14 at 18:53:48

OK, I've pulled it and checked - battery seems okhttp://i.imgur.com/SSRqp3N.jpg.... Next steps any one would suggest? Starter tries and ends with a bzzt bzzt. Sorry for lack of more technical terms

Title: Re: Fell over, now she won't start. Buzzing?
Post by Steve H on 11/04/14 at 19:51:10

Have you had the battery load tested. Could be a plate shorted or something inside the battery if the levels are OK in all the cells. The battery is really the only thing in the starting system that cares which way it is oriented. Too long on its side could have caused some damage to it.

Might be a ground issue. Check the connection at the block just behind the clutch arm for tightness and good contact.

Have you tried jumping it from a car battery? Car not running, of course.

Dunno which way to go. It sounds like a power issue to me. Battery would be my first suspect. Then connections.

Title: Re: Fell over, now she won't start. Buzzing?
Post by ahusain on 11/05/14 at 09:25:59

362D74777671737C450 wrote:

Hm I tested the battery with one of these cheapo HF testers... looks fine but maybe I should have charged it too. Have not tried jump from the car yet.

I did see this mystery cable (http://i.imgur.com/82xcXZc.jpg?1) last night -- is this a broken ground connection? I'm comparing it to this image from the Savage photo guide -- http://i.imgur.com/APccxBB.jpg?1 Unfortunately I don't remember exactly where it was now - I'm pretty sure it was right above the right side plate.

Many thanks, amigos

Title: Re: Fell over, now she won't start. Buzzing?
Post by ahusain on 11/05/14 at 09:27:19

http://i.imgur.com/82xcXZc.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/APccxBB.jpg?1

Title: Re: Fell over, now she won't start. Buzzing?
Post by Grotsmack on 11/05/14 at 09:45:39

Same sort of thing happened to me around August. I fell over coming back from a ride, next day the bike would not start. As I was loading it up to take it to my local shop, all the sudden I had power and it fired right up. I am thinking the fall jarred a wire loose somehow, and it was "righted" by gremlins. I took her to the shop, had them check the battery and it was fine. Hope it is as simple as that for you.

Title: Re: Fell over, now she won't start. Buzzing?
Post by Dave on 11/05/14 at 11:21:59

That weird wire looks like a fused link for a battery tender - or a wire to feed some accessory. It is not part of the stock wiring.

Title: Re: Fell over, now she won't start. Buzzing?
Post by 1st2know on 11/05/14 at 21:38:40

78716C6A787077190 wrote:

Title: Re: Fell over, now she won't start. Buzzing?
Post by ahusain on 11/06/14 at 09:52:18

6A282F693035342C5B0 wrote:

[quote author=78716C6A787077190 link=1414974816/0#6 date=1414978348]

Yeah I do turn the bars left , but I don't usually lock them. This isn't a rough area and I figured the chain & Ulock are enough of a visual deterrent but maybe I should start locking the handlebars too.

A jar to the handlebar from the fall could have dislodged the connectors to your handlebar controls(Clutch switch, kill switch and start button). Take the tank off, and re-seat the block connectors coming from both (L/R) handlebar controls. They're towards the front on the frame.
[/quote]

Hm, ok. Waiting on a Clymer from amazon. That might be little bit beyond my noob level of expertise at the moment. ;D

All controls on the handlebar seem to work, though - the starter cranks but engine doesn't start. Maybe I'll try pulling the battery again and charging it. Tester indicated it was ok but may be best to eliminate it as a potential altogether. Anything else anyone would suggest? Spark plugs, fuel line?

Title: Re: Fell over, now she won't start. Buzzing?
Post by Spamy on 11/06/14 at 10:19:45

Im still suspecting the battery. Maybe I missed a post that ruled that out. If it tipped and its the acid type of battery, no doubt acid leaked out. That battery may have 12vdc, but it probably doesnt have the amperage to push the starter.

Have you tried to jump the bike with another battery?

If its buzzing, its trying to start and either the starter relay is messed up or it doesnt have enough juice.

You can put a screwdriver across the starter relay posts and manually try to start it. It will spark a bit, make you jump, and probably put a small mark on your screwdriver, but it will indicate if the relay is messed up if it cranks just fine.

Title: Re: Fell over, now she won't start. Buzzing?
Post by verslagen1 on 11/06/14 at 11:50:15

You say the starter turns the motor over, but does not start.
And ends with a buzz.

Sounds like a nearly dead battery.

A low battery can spin the starter quite well.
But not have enough volts to power the ignition.
while starting, check the volts, should be more the 10v.

Title: Re: Fell over, now she won't start. Buzzing?
Post by ahusain on 11/06/14 at 11:57:30

5576676B7F060 wrote:

OK, yes it IS definitely acid -- I have a Yuasa YUAM2214B YB14L-B2. I'll try charging and test -- then a new battery. Thanks Spamy

Title: Re: Fell over, now she won't start. Buzzing?
Post by ahusain on 11/06/14 at 11:58:04

4A594E4F505D5B59520D3C0 wrote:

OK, thanks, will check it and report back

Title: Re: Fell over, now she won't start. Buzzing?
Post by Arnold on 11/06/14 at 12:08:20

You could try jumping starting it? Or pop the clutch in 2nd.

Title: Re: Fell over, now she won't start. Buzzing?
Post by Ragnar444 on 11/09/14 at 16:40:33

This topic makes me want to invest in a spill-proof battery. Might be worth the investment.

Title: Re: Fell over, now she won't start. Buzzing?
Post by ahusain on 01/15/15 at 04:34:43

Thanks for the solid advice, everyone.... Turns out it WAS the battery all along. Now she's in storage for the next couple of months.