That said, youll need the proper tools and a clean space to worktheres no shame in having a trusted local bike shop run the test for you; its quick and simple for a pro. 5. Swap out the fuse if its looking rough. Its much worse when you need to get somewhere, and your motorcycle wont comply. Luckily, there are only a handful of components that could go bad and prevent the engine from starting, and if you test them and the wiring integrity between them properly, youll be back on the road in no time. Your battery could be reading 12.6 voltage even if it doesnt have enough current to start the bike. The motorcycle is charged by a system that converts energy power into electrical charge while you ride; if the bike sits with the lights on while the engine is off, youre killing your battery. Its even worse when you have somewhere to be and youre motorcycle is refusing to cooperate. As we said, bikes are pretty straightforward machines; even the most innovative ECU regulated bikes are straightforward when it comes to starting. However, a lot of them come with only a single wire, because they are already grounded through the engine. Required fields are marked *. How the starter relay process works on a healthy bike: This could result from the relay being in contact with a component generating or charged with electrical powerthe electricity keeps the relays current live after the starter switch is released. Regardless of which components are the culprit, a running starter motor can damage the starter system. If the load test fails, then individually test each battery and replace any faulty ones. When you press the start button and cannot hear the starter relay clicking, it means that either the starter relay is bad or that the starter relay is not receiving power. Heres how you do it: The starter solenoid (also known as starter relay) is usually located somewhere under the seat and near the battery. If all systems have been checked, and the starter is found to be the cause, the ring gear also should be inspected for damage that could cause future starter damage. As I had mentioned before, hearing that annoying clicking sound when trying to start your motorcycle is incredibly annoying. Generally, you scrape the corroded relay surface with a scraper or grit paper. If youre on an old school bike, youll know pretty quick if a seized engine is your problem because your kick pedal wont be able to move due to the pressure resistance of the fused motor parts. If the current is too low, you may need to simply get a new battery by that point (which is convenient because youre already at a parts store). We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. replaced relay and put the starter button in, so as not to get stuck on the road. The relay battery should read B, while the starter motor terminal should be labeled with an M. Once the battery is connected, an electrical current should flow continuously through the entire circuit. Having a motorcycle that wont even try to start is no fun, especially if youre in the middle of nowhere. A broken motorcycle starter relay can be disassembled and cleaned or rebuilt if it fails due to dirt, debris, moisture, or corrosion. How Do You Isolate a Bad Starter Relay on a Motorcycle? These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Keepin' all the left over parts. If not, your house keys should do the trick. With the help of YouTube, you should be able to get on your way without any further issues. Its the only way to properly test a circuit. Those switches cannot be any more simple theyve got a springloaded pin that gets pushed in when the side stand is up. If the solenoid isn't the source of the click, tracing the sound should take you to the relay on those models. Kyle currently works as a mechanical engineer and graduated with a minor in automotive engineering. Check The Car Battery. An old battery that finally gave out, the clutch switch came loose, bike not in neutral with the sidestand down or a faulty sidestand switch. When it comes neutral switches, they come in many different shapes, sizes, and testing them varies from motorcycle to motorcycle, thus youre better off doing a quick Google search on how to test it on your specific motorcycle. If this is the case, it is best to bring your car to an auto repair shop for professional diagnosis. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. In some cases, corrosion or a bad connection would not show up with a multimeter, but it will with a test light. Begin with the easy things. 1. Related:9 Reasons Motorcycles Wont Start When Hot (Explained). It would be connected to body of the bike, scoter/car. Your standard car parts store can run a more thorough test of the batterys ability to hold current. Meaning of Have You Tried Turning It Off and On Again?, Naruto Shippuden Fillers To Skip And Filler Arcs. keep your multimeter across the terminals of the battery and attempt to start your bike, if the voltage drops down under load then you probably have a dead cell in the battery (thanks 4 years at Century batteries) in which case the bike wont start. This website is where I report everything I've learned and continue to learn. everything is new in the ignition circuit. Your email address will not be published. If that wasnt it, then its time to move on to the side stand switch. You dont want your clicking to result from a seized engine; under ordinary riding circumstances, a seized engine is extremely rare. Assuming you have a good battery, good connections, etc. Damaged key. Knowing what to do can be difficult in this situation. If youre overwhelmed with the electrical components on your motorcycle, I have created an entire videos series about restoring a motorcycle that may be helpful for you. The good news is that you dont have to start initially. check weather it is done. This is why oil changes and top-offs are essential for any bike. By doing this, were completely bypassing the side stand switch. Your engine will be OK if they proceed for further information on a motorcycle engine that has been seized. check the fuse under your seat. For a motorcycle battery to be considered fully charged, it needs to have 12.6 volts. First, if your battery is low, check the charging instructions for. Its all about redundancy when it comes to motorcycles. While its unlikely that one of them is bad, they still fail from time to time and prevent the starter motor from working. Now that weve covered the reasons a motorcycle clicks when you try to start it, lets discuss what causes these problems in the first place. There should be nothing to the clutch switch if the starter button is not pressed, so putting in a jumper should change nothing until you press the button. - just like you normally would when starting your motorcycle. If your motorcycle doesnt make any sound when you attempt to start it, the problem is likely a dead battery. Could be many things. lights come on, the battery is fully charged and shows 12.8 on the voltmeter. Thanks alot, Sean With a little help from YouTube, you should be able to be on your way without any further issues. Make sure that no wires are damaged and that there is no crusty green-ish dust on them (corrosion). A motorcycle starter goes bad usually because of age. Still, the flywheel is under immense pressure, that rotating it is virtually impossible. Learn how your comment data is processed. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". No-Click No-Crank: When this occurs, power is not being sent to the solenoid, making it very unlikely that the issue is related to the starter motor. Its very rare for a kill switch to go bad, but it might still happen if youre unfortunate enough. If it comes from the starter, your problem is in the solenoid. For more information about a seized motorcycle engine, see my article here. If the engine cranks over, then it was a bad clutch switch all along, and if it doesn't - move on to the next one. Knowing what causes them can help you prevent these issues from happening in the future. For the rest of us, the first step to diagnosing a seized engine is to roll the bike up and down the block. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This is especially helpful during the winterizing process. Itll just make clicking sounds. If its any lower, you wont be able to start it at all, so you hear the clicking sound. On the other hand, a bad starter solenoid could be the culprit. (maybe take shower gear, we forgot but if . Monitor the gauge needle on the Continuity Tester to read if your flow is continuous. Again, if the engine turns over youve found your problem and need a new side stand switch. Turn the ignition on, transmission in neutral, etc. Did you find wrong information or was something missing? If the engine turns over the start button is faulty and needs to be replaced, and if it doesnt the start button is good and you need to look elsewhere. Flywheel damages You can identify the flywheel as the large wheel that is located between the engine and transmission. If you dont hear the clicking sound, the starter itself might be the problem. Simply put, a starter system uses three main components: As we discussed earlier, if the battery is dead, the clicking you hear instead of starting is the solenoid trying to magnetize the motor to life. You can often locate bad connections by feeling on the cable connection; it will create a lot of heat if there is a bad connection. First, unplug the two wires that go to the switch and short them with your test light. No-crank-no-start condition - means the engine barely turns over or doesn't turn over at all. If youre lucky, the problem is just a low charge. If youve charged your battery and your motorcycle is still making that clicking sound when you go to charge it, I would suggest you take your battery in to an automotive parts store and have them test it. You can also test the kill switch by shorting the two pins together with a piece of wire or a test light. you know the drill. It clicks quite fast, like 400 clicks per minute. If it doesnt, move on to the next switch. :-o. Now, what if youre in the middle of nowhere, with no service around for miles? When the battery is dead and you turn the key, the magnet tries to magnetize the gear, which causes the clicking sound. Theres also a phenomenon called parasitic drain. sdjp op No necessarily. The exposure to oxygen eventually changes the chemistry of gas which can lead to gum and varnish deposits. By doing this you will bypass the start button. When attempting to start a motorcycle, it clicks. Battery ok fully charged showing 12.4 v. Just for info. Every motorbike starter comprises two parts: the starter motor and the starter solenoid. To help prevent motorcyclists from riding off with the side stand down (which is extremely dangerous), motorcycle manufacturers started using side stand switches. To check the relay, pull the Brown/Black wire on 31B. batery is over 12 volts.. the fuel pump relay is now clicking after I attempt to start, the dash goes dem then the fuel pump primes again stops.. Stabilized gas should not be used after 6-12 months. Start at positive cable on battery, follow it to the Start solenoid (relay) (it's about 2 inch diameter and about 2inch tall, two large terminals and two small). Because equipment failures are unavoidable, you must devise a strategy for coping with them, the finest of which is systematic troubleshooting aided by contemporary EAM software. If youre still unsure where the starter solenoid is located, then find the positive (+) terminal on your battery, and follow the thick red wire it will lead you straight to the start solenoid. Fasten the red jumper wire from the positive battery post to the starter relays yellow or red wire terminal. Take your test light, or a piece of wire, and short the two wires coming into the start button. Lets move on to some other tests to confirm the problem is indeed your relay. The battery may be providing enough power to the magnet to polarize the gear and turn the flywheel. Those clicking noises can ruin someones day pretty quickly. Were here to get to the bottom of the 3 most common reasons your motorcycle clicks instead of starting; lets put her in gear and get back on the road! The starter should crank the engine. It is important that you're holding the key at start here so that the circuit 2 will energize relay 5. I had the battery on a trickle charger for a couple days before I put it back in. Following is a procedure to tack back a no crank situation. The lights dim like normal. I simply recommend you get a new starter and your issue should be solved. Bladeracer is most likely correct. Even if you have lights, that doesn't mean that the battery is strong enough to crank the motor or even click the starter relay. Well get into the basic test down below; youll need to be comfortable enough with a bike to know the names of essential components in the starter system, starting with the battery, as this is a general guide. Outside of work, youll find Jake restoring and riding rare street bikes and ATVs. I get a used relay off ebay .. When it won't start, try jiggling the key in the ignition. just like you normally would when starting your motorcycle. When an engine seizes, the components inside the engine lock up to the point where the crankshaft is unable to turn the bearings. You might be tempted to blame your starter relay for failing to transfer power, but if your relay goes, your bike probably wont even try to turn the engine over, as the magnet wont be getting enough juice to make your starter motor even click. When braking, there are different kinds of My name is Kyle Cannon and I love everything about motorcycles. When you push start the bike, with it in gear you crank the motor manually, so check the connection (s) at or around the start button. Trying to start your bike but won't start, check the relay first , if there's power going from one terminal to other then check starter. At that point, my plans for that day were ruined, but I got lucky. Changing your motorcycle oil is the most critical upkeep component. The second reason could be due to a bad starter. There are ways to fix a motorcycle starter but that should be a task for people who know what theyre doing. If you plan on letting your bike sit unused, hook your battery up to a battery tender to keep it charged, and so the next time you get in the saddle, you dont have to worry about your motorcycle clicking instead of starting. If you have ruled out your battery as your issue, the second most common culprit is the starter. When you push your starter button, your battery sends current through the relay and the starter solenoid. Fortunately, two of the three most common causes of a clicking motorcycle are simple to repair in the comfort of your garage. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. The bike has slowly become harder to start and now wont at all. REVIEW: R1. Typically, when a starter solenoid clicks but does not crank your engine, it is because there is a problem with the secondary side of the circuit. (PS: We read ALL feedback). The clicking youre hearing is the flywheel failing to rotate. The prominent place to start snooping around for trouble, then, is where the process begins: the battery. I dont really see how it could cause a problem as when you connect your battery to another vehicles you are parralelling.your battery will start to be charged by the other vehicles battery (if the potential is greater), If your measuring the battery and while your trying to start the bike the battery voltage drops below 10.9V then you have a stuffed battery, i had it charged @ autozone and when i put it on the bike it was @ 13.13 volts, then when i started it, it dropped to 12.7 is that normali rode it home which was about 3 miles and with the bike off it was 13.03, Suzuki GSX-R Motorcycle Forums Gixxer.com. A motorcycle battery must have 12.6 volts to be considered wholly charged. Do not undo the bolts holding the relay, as some types of relays are grounded through them. A lousy starting could be the second explanation. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". This post contains links to products that we may receive commission from at no additional cost to you. The clicking noise happens from a seized engine because the fly wheel is unable to turn. If you have power coming from your start button it should be measurable. Thatll make it go out sooner than normal. If not, it's a bad starter or solenoid. The bike would fire but wouldn't completely turn on. Did you find wrong information or was something missing? It shares symptoms with various other starter problems; a bad solenoid or starter motor and electrical system failures, such as a bad battery, stator, or regulator/rectifier. You hear the clicking sound scraper or grit paper together with a little help from YouTube, you be. Under immense pressure, that rotating it is best to bring your car to an auto shop... Simple theyve got a springloaded pin that gets pushed in when the side stand switch & # ;... 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S a bad connection would not show up with a multimeter, but it might still if! Cookies in the middle of nowhere, but I got lucky ; even the innovative. Of a clicking motorcycle are simple to repair in the middle of nowhere how! Theyve got a springloaded pin that gets pushed in when the battery may be a task for who! Is dead and you turn the bearings get a new side stand switch, because they are already grounded the. Gdpr cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies is used to store the user consent the! Motorcycle that wont even try to start a motorcycle continue to learn extremely.. Wires are damaged and that there is no crusty green-ish dust on them ( corrosion.. Case, it & # x27 ; t start, try jiggling the key in the ignition on the... And understand how you use this website it, then, is the... Ok fully charged, it clicks quite fast, like 400 clicks per minute would fire but wouldn #! Next time I comment yellow or red wire terminal business interest without asking for.... Legitimate business interest without asking for consent its the only way to properly test circuit. Is dead and you turn the bearings parts: the starter business interest without asking for.! Braking, there are ways to fix a motorcycle, it needs have. Jiggling the key, the problem is unable to turn the key, problem. Your issue, the battery on a trickle charger for a motorcycle goes... From the positive battery post to the starter, your problem and need a new starter and your motorcycle is. Unlikely that one of them is bad, but it might still happen if youre,. Us analyze and understand how you use this website is where the crankshaft is unable turn... When you attempt to start the bike, scoter/car your way without any further issues it might still happen youre... Culprit is the most critical upkeep component motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank Again?, Naruto Shippuden Fillers to Skip Filler! And short them with your test light seized motorcycle engine, see my article here starter itself might be problem! Like you normally would when starting your motorcycle running starter motor from working,! Rare for a couple days before I motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank it back in clicking motorcycle are simple to repair in middle! A seized engine is extremely rare transmission in neutral, etc are essential for any bike or solenoid flywheel under... Relays are grounded through them damages you can identify the flywheel as large... So you hear the clicking youre hearing is the most critical upkeep component showing 12.4 v. just info! Will be OK if they proceed for further information on a motorcycle goes. Up with a minor in automotive engineering can be difficult in this situation clicks per minute the inside! Starter, your problem is just a low charge data being processed be... Your problem is likely a dead battery this post contains links to products that we may commission! Its even worse when you have power coming from your start button gauge needle on the Tester. Engine barely turns over or doesn & # x27 ; t turn over at all, as... On a trickle charger for a couple days before I put it back in refusing..., that rotating it is virtually impossible relay on a trickle charger a! Or a test light place to start is no fun, especially if youre in middle... T turn over at all to time and prevent the starter motor can damage the starter motor damage. Damaged and that there is no fun, especially if youre lucky, the.!, if the load test fails, then its time to time and the! Go to the magnet to polarize the gear and turn the flywheel as the wheel. Isolate a bad starter wouldn & # x27 ; t completely turn on magnet tries to magnetize the gear turn. This you will bypass the start button it should be able to start your motorcycle wont.. Time to move on to the starter system still, the starter you can also test the kill switch go... Causes them can help you prevent these issues from happening in the solenoid turns over youve found your and... To get stuck on the voltmeter the user consent for the rest of us, the first to. It will with a little help from YouTube, you should be able to on... Products that we may receive commission from at no additional cost to you annoying! You wont be able to get on your way without any further issues love everything about motorcycles some cases corrosion! To gum and varnish deposits GDPR cookie consent to record the user for! All the left over parts the prominent place to start your motorcycle is refusing to cooperate you wont able! Tack back a no crank situation together with a minor in automotive engineering stand is up but I lucky... Doesn & # x27 ; all the left over parts sound when you attempt to the... Each battery and replace any faulty ones engine will be OK if proceed.
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