Dead Bike - Again

[concho]

I went out this afternoon to start the bike and go for a ride. The bike started, ran for about a minute or two and died as I backed it out. I started it a few days earlier and let it run for about 20 minutes with no problems. The battery is only 6 months old. I recently changed the ignition to a HD style ignition switch that I got from Chuckster. I wired it as instructed (Thunder Manufacturing) included with the ignition switch. When I turn on the bike the lights come on, fuel pump sounds as normal, but when I hit the start button (its in neutral, up right, with the clutch pulled in) it just clicks. Did a solenoid or starter go out or did the battery die. I got a battery charger/tender on it now and will check it in the morning.

Any help would be great - weather just got good and would really like to be riding right now.

[billmac]

I am not an expert and hopefully one of the forum will chime in. But you did say "any help."

The click is probably a solenoid engaging which would lead me to believe the ignition switch itself is not the problem. I would start at the click, follow the voltage, and see where it stops. Most likely, a wire or cable is not making a good solid contact.

Better hurry, the weather is fixin to change. :)

[billmac]

Guess you could jump the battery to ensure there is enough amps. Batteries do like to die this time of year. If I think of anything else, I will chime back in. Hopefully the real mechanics will wake up soon. good luck.

[ringadingh]

I think you have either a poor battery connection, or a weak battery. Just because the battery is fairly new doesn't mean it cant be defective, it sometimes happens.
I doubt its the ignition switch causing the problem.
Check the battery with a volt meter, while you are cranking the motor, it needs to stay above 10.5 volts minimum.

[ndbigfish]

I agree with Ring. Check the connections and verify the battery has enough voltage. I have had low quality, aftermarket batteries (WM) that did not last 6 months. I don't buy them anymore. I personally have also started using a battery maintainer, even though I can ride nearly every day. I use it to keep two batteries maintained.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Sounds like a battery not fully charged. Either that or you have a loose connection. Once the battery has charged using the tender it should start. In my experience with cars a click usually always means a bad connection or weak battery.

[Cajunrider]

It's not uncommon for brand name automobile batteries failing quickly. In my truck, I went through 2 new AC Delco batteries in 3 months. Had the electrical system checked for drawdown....nothing found. It was 2 bad batteries.

[concho]

Well the battery was on the charger for over 24hrs and its still just clicking. I hear the click of the soleniod and then another click immediately after. Could the have locked up? How hard is it to take the starter out (honestly I dont know where its at, my guess its on the front bottom of the crankcase)?

[law2339]

i had the same problem with mine and it turned out to be the battery.
Even though my battery was new and fully charged it just did not have the cranking amps.

[ringadingh]

Try to boost the bike with jumper cables, if it starts then, youll know that its not the starter or relay. Don't have the vehicle your using to boost with running, it will be too hard on your charging system.

[concho]

I'll be trying that tomorrow. Thanks

[kenk]

I'm guessing loose ground wire

[danimal2]

Just went through this. Took the bike through emissions. The lady (attendant) hands me my pass notice, I hit the starter button and it just clicks. Purrrrfect.

Checked connections and all was good. Popped in a new battery and she fired right up. Put the non-working battery on charger all day and although it said fully charged and a VOM confirmed voltage at 12.88 VDC, the minute I put a load to it, it would die again. The failed one was relatively new too. I find typically when they fail that's it. They may take a charge, but can't handle any kind of load.



Probably your battery.

[billmac]

Originally Posted by danimal2

Just went through this. Took the bike through emissions. The lady (attendant) hands me my pass notice, I hit the starter button and it just clicks. Purrrrfect.

Checked connections and all was good. Popped in a new battery and she fired right up. Put the non-working battery on charger all day and although it said fully charged and a VOM confirmed voltage at 12.88 VDC, the minute I put a load to it, it would die again. The failed one was relatively new too. I find typically when they fail that's it. They may take a charge, but can't handle any kind of load. Probably your battery.

I put in a gel battery last year. Paid over $100 on the internet. No trade in and it has worked like a champ. I have tried to put a trickle charger on it but the battery always says it is fully charged. I am really pleased with it. I believe it was Westec out of Dallas, TX.

[concho]

Well I took my battery to BatteryPlus and had the battery checked. It was sitting at 12.3 volts and needed charging. They charged it over night and then load tested it 5 hours after it got off the charger and all was good. I reinstalled the battery back into the bike and click, click is all I heard. I checked the connections that I could get to and all was good. Where else do I need to check. I'm wondering if the resister in the new ignition went out and causing this. I'm thinking I may put the factory ignition back on to see if that works.