Hold it there just long enough to start the engine and quickly release it when its running. Its very rare for a kill switch to go bad, but it might still happen if youre unfortunate enough. If, after a few turns, your starter clicks, or maybe your bike even fires up, it might be that your relay is dying but not quite dead yet. If it comes from the starter, your problem is in the solenoid. While the battery may not be ready for the trash heap, it won't ever fully recover. On the other hand, motorcycles arent complicated machinery, especially when compared to automobiles. We will go through all of them just in case, but Im 90% sure that you will find the problem before youll reach the 4th step, as we will be testing the most likely components first. Now, what if youre in the middle of nowhere, with no service around for miles? Bad fuel pump or relay . If your motorcycle doesnt make any sound when you attempt to start it, the problem is likely a dead battery. If your bike has inconsistent starting patternsif theres a secret trick to start your motorcycle like pushing the starter button over and over again until the bike startsyou might have a bad starter relay. Lets begin with the start button first. Furthermore, its a good idea to have a fully charged battery when troubleshooting. Reconnect it and try again. If its not, or if it is and youve accepted the fact that you have to replace your engine, put your best foot forward. If your bike doesnt have a kick-starter, you can diagnose a seized engine by rolling it around. if you blew that you will hear the relay but no start. Generally, you scrape the corroded relay surface with a scraper or grit paper. lights come on, the battery is fully charged and shows 12.8 on the voltmeter. Required fields are marked *. I believe I'm about to order a new starter. Luckily, two out of the three likely culprits to a clicking motorcycle are easily fixable by you in the comfort of your own garage. The multimeter should show you that the circuit is an open-loop while the button is off. A motorcycle isnt very fun if you cant get it started. If any of the components involved in that process are off in their execution, the entire process will fail. Essentially, this gear starts turning which in turn starts rotating the flywheel in the engine. 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. Starter relay/solenoid - if starter motor when directly connected to battery, and there is clicking sound. Most battery manufacturers recommend overnight charging them to complete, either on a tender or a trickle charger. If it is bad, turn the copper washer over and reassemble. Monitor the gauge needle on the Continuity Tester to read if your flow is continuous. Start the motorcycle as you normally would. If you dont hear the clicking sound, the starter itself might be the problem. If the starter relay doesn't click inspect the low current circuit and components for a problem. Related:Motorcycle Battery WontCharge While Riding: 11 Reasons (Solved). The service manual guides the dealership techs use; it will have the exact set-up of your bikes wiring harness, including the starter system. You may have a seized engine if the tires give resistance and do not roll. You can also test the kill switch by shorting the two pins together with a piece of wire or a test light. The starter should now engage and turn over the engine. When attempting to start a motorcycle, it clicks. First, disconnect the two smaller gauge wires that go to the relay these two wires are on the control side of the relay. JM .02 and the solenoid is polarizing the starter motor just fine. battery is showing 12.54 VDC. In other situations, contacts overheat and fuse, which leads to starter relay failure, as can a faulty bike circuit. The starter works fine, and the only remaining component is the relay. Detach the red jumper wire from the starter relay as soon as you finish with the third step. 5. 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! On the other hand, a bad starter solenoid could be the culprit. Jun 18, 2017. Over time, the internal components of the starter begin to wear. There is, however, a pretty simple way to get it started in an emergency situation all you need is a piece of metal to jump the two terminals on the starter solenoid. Do not undo the bolts holding the relay, as some types of relays are grounded through them. Make a quick inspection of the battery first: Check the case for damage. Make sure battery is fully charged, bench charge with a good charger. When you turn the key and the battery is dead, you hear the magnet trying to magnetize the gear which is what makes the clicking sound. Charging a motorcycle battery can take anywhere between 8 20 hours. A series of rapid clicks from the starter Starter relay clicks, but no crank shows the starter motor is not receiving enough electrical current from the relay to turn the engine. If the test light did not light up while testing the control side of the start relay in the previous test, then its time to move on to the various safety switches that are found on all motorcycles. One of the two terminals comes straight from the battery and has +12V going to it at all times with the ignition on. ho0w do u test a starter relay??? Touch the red cable to the starter's positive terminal. The second reason could be due to a bad starter. This can lead to it intermittently working. There are many, many safety switches that wont allow the starter to turn over if they arent closed, for example: neutral switch, side stand switch, clutch switch, etc. If its any lower than that, you likely wont be able to get it started at all, thus you hear the clicking sound. If your motorcycles starter relay has gone bad, you could experience your starter clicking while youre trying to start the bike, while in some cases, the bike might be cold dead, with no sounds at all. If the magnet that polarizes the gear to turn the flywheel isnt magnetizing appropriately, the equipment wont turn the flywheel at all. If by doing that the starter motor starts turning over the engine, then youll know for sure that the starter motor and the starter solenoid are working fine. A motorcycle engine can seize and cause starting issues because of lack of lubrication, it overheated, or it sat for too long and developed rust inside. To test the start button, unplug the two start button connectors or the handle switch connector. Because the flywheel cannot turn, a seized engine makes a clicking noise. Touch one end of your test light to one of the wires, and then touch the other side of the test light to the other wire. Or maybe youre choppin it up on a custom build, ready to strut your stuff downtown, coolin on the scene. Discuss the GSX-R600, GSX-R750, GSX-R1000, and GSX-R1100, and more! A good way to test this is to wait until it won't start. 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. 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. Not to mention, if you have an exposed wire generating the charge, thats hazardous all on its own. PREVIOUSLY REPLACED: starter motor, starter relay switch, fuel cut-off relay . no aftermarket products are connected to the battery. Third, remove your primary cover (follow the step-by-step instructions in your manual) Fourth, remove the compensating sprocket nut and clutch hub lock ring. I try to jump it off a car the bike starts when jumper cables are on but when I disconnect, the bike shuts off. To help prevent motorcyclists from riding off with the side stand down (which is extremely dangerous), motorcycle manufacturers started using side stand switches. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Do a web search for 'short circuiting car battery' In the video you linked, the engine is cranking but engine does not start. If not, it's a bad starter or solenoid. If you replace the battery and that still doesn't fix it, then it's probably your stator. Keepin' all the left over parts. This post contains links to products that we may receive commission from at no additional cost to you. Turn the ignition on, transmission in neutral, etc. If not . Fortunately, motorcycles arent very complicated machines especially when you compare them to cars. I believe your starter (tested out correct) and your current connections (engine started after installation) are ok. If necessary, add distilled water to the cells and charge the battery. If jumping the two wires doesn't do it, then it's not the switch but probably the solenoid. Team night out.. start Jumping. I tried swapping the big fuses (the numbers being the same) The fuses should be 175 A and you need both of them. Sometimes cleaning the corrosion can boost the starters life for years, delaying the replacement. There are ways to fix a motorcycle starter but that should be a task for people who know what theyre doing. Lets start with the basics first, as theyre so easy to overlook. Following is a procedure to tack back a no crank situation. I connect it.. the starter relay just clicks .. no cranking at all relay just clicks and the dash fades,. sighs . any help would be greatly appreciated how do I know relay is good???? Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. 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. battery . While starter relay problems arent necessarily widespread, all mechanical parts wear out, eventually. Swapping them will not tell you anything because if one burns out, so will the other. Turn the ignition on, transmission in neutral, etc. Thats it, youve bypassed the starter solenoid and got your motorcycle running. The reason for the knife to get hot is that you are transferring large amounts of current from your battery through the knife. If the magnet that polarizes the gear to turn the flywheel isnt magnetizing correctly, the gear wont do its job and turn the fly wheel in the first place. If the battery doesnt give enough power, that magnet doesnt have enough power to turn the flywheel of the engine. Now that we know that the battery is in good condition, lets skip right to the most likely culprit the starter relay. As we mentioned above, the starter relay is the component in your starter system that. Begin with the easy things. Changing your motorcycle oil is the most critical upkeep component. Typically, this points to a . when i press the start button, the starter relay just "clicks . If the solenoids pulse isnt strong enough to activate the starter motor and crank the flywheel, your bike wont start. Brake pads are a lifeline to stop your motorcycle properly. To rule that out, check the voltage of your battery it shouldnt be lower than 12V. Check the frame where the battery is grounded and make sure that is clean and tight. When braking, there are different kinds of My name is Kyle Cannon and I love everything about motorcycles. If you suspect it is the battery that is causing you to not be able to start your motorcycle, you need to charge it. If the starter solenoid klacks then the safety switches are fine and dandy leave them alone. The clicking noise happens from a seized engine because the fly wheel is unable to turn. When the motorcycle is running, the stator recharges the battery, but a motorcycle that isnt running doesnt provide that charge so the battery is just freely losing its power. When I try to start my motorcycle, it clicks. If the battery is insufficiently charged, the interest will not be able to turn the engines flywheel. Starter Continues to Crank After Bike Fires Up, 3. Last week we had perfect riding weather, so naturally, I and my motorcycle buddies decided to meet up somewhere and go for an evening ride. Schumacher SJ1289 Rechargeable AGM Jump Starter and Portable USB/DC Power Station - 1200 Amp - with Air Compressor and LED flex light Amazon 1 $58 USD Walker Exhaust 40001 Universal Exhaust Flex Pipe Amazon 1 $38 USD Premium Recoil Starter for Briggs Stratton 699335 1150,1450,1650 series snow engine Amazon 2 $88 USD Regardless, a starter system diagnosis would be the next step in determining if it is, in fact, your relay thats causing the problem. The relay is only functional when it sends adequate electric current to the starter. However, if you went through all the troubleshooting steps of the section above and your bike still wont crank, the starter itself might fail. The solenoid is a little magnet and when you turn the key, it shoots out a small gear that the magnet polarizes. Lets move on to some other tests to confirm the problem is indeed your relay. Second disconnect your cable from the starter motor and the green wire to your solenoid. - just like you normally would when starting your motorcycle. Make a list of plausible reasons and theories. Using a wiring diagram, find the two wires that go to the start button. How To Downshift On a Motorcycle Swiftly? Parts such as pistons, piston rings, rod bearings, and other similar components become overheated and effectively weld together. You could try a voltage check at your relay signal voltage. Your bike wont start unless youve got 12.2 volts in your battery. Youll need to put the motorcycle in the highest gear (usually 4th or 5th gear) and roll it forward. 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. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". 2009 CMX250; one black, one blue '89 VN750, 2006 ninja 250. A battery that is low on voltage will cause the injectors not to fire. The first and most common reason is because of a dead battery. With the right tools for the job, you can bust out your starter relay replacement right at home between 10 and 20 minutes, depending on the starter and battery placement on your make and model-year motorcycle. A forum community dedicated to the Suzuki GSX-R motorcycle. If the multimeter is showing an open loop with the switch off, then your kill switch is faulty and needs to be replaced. You go out to your motorcycle, put in the key, and try to start it only to hear those annoying and dreaded clicking noises instead of the rumbling of the engine. How long does it take for gas to go bad in a motorcycle? link to Is It Normal For New Motorcycle Brake Pads To Rub. If the wind is too low, you could need a new battery (which is convenient because youre already at a parts store). Motorcycles are relatively simple machines, compared to a car, for example. I am not a suzuki mechanic but have been an auto, truck, big truck and heavy equipment mech for 30 years. Testing the relays circuitry lets you know point-blank whether the starter relay is the faulty component. the relay does not close. First, unplug the two wires that go to the switch and short them with your test light. To check the relay, pull the Brown/Black wire on 31B. 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. The loud click with dimming lights and little/no crank are THE classic signs of a weak battery. If a corroded relay is your issue, clean the contact points following your moto-manufacturers service manual guidelines to restore proper contact and increase current flow. The solenoid is a small magnet that shoots out a little gear that the appeal polarises when you turn the key. The second reason could be due to a bad starter. klf 300c push button start not working. The exposure to oxygen eventually changes the chemistry of gas which can lead to gum and varnish deposits. we certainly had fun and all were out of breath after one hour. Some motorcycles (especially the more recent ones) are designed to stop the rider from starting the engine if the battery voltage is low. 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. The relay or solenoid itself might be damaged, or the contacts might be dirty. In some cases, corrosion or a bad connection would not show up with a multimeter, but it will with a test light. The starter relay should click. Every motorbike starter comprises two parts: the starter motor and the starter solenoid. The other one is open and does not have any voltage. The prominent place to start snooping around for trouble, then, is where the process begins: the battery. (PS: We read ALL feedback). Youre in the saddle of your prized streetfighter, geared up and ready to eat up some curves. Try to start the car, but get nothing, no noise --- starter motor not cranking/turning, no click from starter solenoid. Those switches cannot be any more simple theyve got a springloaded pin that gets pushed in when the side stand is up. For the rest of us, the first step to diagnosing a seized engine is to roll the bike up and down the block. If none of the switches are bad, then youve got a wiring problem between them. Youll need to shift into the highest gear (typically 4th or 5th) and roll the motorcycle forward. Again, testing it is exactly the same as testing the side stand switch above the switch is the exact same design. A lousy starting could be the second explanation. The starter motor and is very easy to swap out. Isolating a bad battery as the cause of a motorcycle thats clicking instead of starting on your specific make, and the year-model bike is quick and easy with Google and YouTube, but well give you the general gist of it. Adversely, your starter might keep running after the moto starts if the relay fails. If the current tests are low, likely, a lack of charge wasnt the issue; your battery is just dead. Push the key in for power, run a ground wire to terminal 31B, and the starter should spin. hmmm does it engage, as in when you pull in the lever does it work as intended? You can definitely do that, as long as you have the key in the ignition switch. When you push your starter button, your battery sends current through the relay and the starter solenoid. Those clicking noises can rapidly spoil someones day. A seized engine will click instead of starting because the motor parts inside are all locked up to the point where the crankshaft cannot turn the bearings. 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. What Does a Solenoid Do On A Motorcycle? Cannon Entities LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. If that wasnt it, then its time to move on to the side stand switch. You removed it and worked on it so likely something went wrong there. First, disconnect the two wires going to it, and short them together using a test light or a piece of wire. Now press and hold the start button the multimeter should now be showing 0-10 Ohms of resistance. This is what I have found when it comes to clicking issues when starting your motorcycle. Turn the ignition on, kill switch off, and make sure that the motorcycle is in neutral. Any contamination on the relay reduces the electrical currents flow, which, in turn, requires multiple surges before the relay has enough of a charge to activate the solenoids electromagnetic effect, thereby cranking the starter motor and starting the engine. Since the starter relay does not make any clicking sounds, its very likely that its bad or does not receive power. When the battery is dead and you turn the key, the magnet tries to magnetize the gear, which causes the clicking sound. When it won't start, try jiggling the key in the ignition. Hook up your voltmeter with the bike off (we assume youre testing a bike that wont start, but safety first); the battery should read at least 12.5 volts. Thanks alot, Sean 4. It clicks quite fast, like 400 clicks per minute. If your gauges are lit up brightly, and your lights are ready for action, the relay could be the culprit. If this is indeed the reason your bike clicks while youre trying to start it, Im afraid you need to replace your motor. If you have power coming from your start button it should be measurable. 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). WulfMoto.com is a participant in the Amazon.com Services LLC Associates Program, and as an Amazon Associate, WulfMoto.com earns from qualifying purchases. Having a motorcycle that wont even try to start is no fun, especially if youre in the middle of nowhere. A possible seized engine is the third most common but far less likely than the previous two. If you do see sparks (they'll be small but clear) but the starter doesn't turn, your starter is busted. Thanks for all advice. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Attempt to start the engine and listen to the starter relay. The motor could be worn if the solenoid is worn on the used starter. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. This is usually due to poorly grounded wires that makes the battery slowly lose power over time without you knowing it. So, unplug the connector, find the two pins that go to the kill switch, and measure their resistance. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". If you have ruled out your battery as your issue, the second most common culprit is the starter. Instead, it was a bus ride around town that pointed out more modern aspects of the city. Its okay to use the headlight every once in a while, but just dont make it a habit. I was expecting a tour that would provide the history of Cologne. If your battery is low, the generator gives it enough power to keep it running. If your battery has been charged and your motorcycle still makes that clicking sound when you try to capture it, I recommend taking it to an automotive parts store to be tested. While holding the key, jump the solenoid contacts with a wrench. STEP 2 - Perform a voltage drop test: Once batteries pass muster, then perform a voltage drop test on the starter main cables. Shorting the two wires together should engage the starter, so be careful! Remember, if you dont have the tools or space needed to conduct the following procedures or if you cant find access to a service manual and youre unsure about your working knowledge, any decent bike tech can do this test on the fly for pretty cheap. Assuming you have a good battery, good connections, etc. Normally. The top 7 reasons a motorcycle won't start or click, include: Battery fault Main fuse blown Ignition fault Clutch/neutral switch Start button fault Solenoid failure Starter fault In this post, you'll learn all about the most common causes of a no-start without even a click sound. Thatll make it go out sooner than normal. I have ran into this problem many times myself through the motorcycles Ive owned these past few years. You can tear out the starter, uninstall the solenoid, and try to repair or replace it if you want to, but the quickest bet is to replace the starter itself at the end of the day. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Usually, this points to an air/fuel delivery problem, a spark delivery problem, or a lack of compression. If you have a helper turn the ignition key to start, you'll be able to trace the underhood click. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Worn spark plugs. Your email address will not be published. When you push the button it gives power to the starter to crank the motor. Get a quick visual check on the wiring. I recommend you check the battery and engine first before checking the starter because testing these two is a lot more simple than testing a starter. It will destroy your battery and may even cause it to explode. Jun 26, 2011. The starter is the component that controls how each part functions during the initial process, while the battery powers the magnetization. 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. By continuing to use this site you consent to the use of cookies on your device as described in our cookie policy unless you have disabled them. Engine temperature sensor or PCM coolant sensor. I suggest that you get a new starter, and the problem should be resolved. back probed everything and it all checks good except i'm getting no cu read more Why is my motorcycle clicking when I try to start it? (PS: We read ALL feedback). 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. Read the labels to tell which is which. 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. Motorcycle has Intermittent Starting Problems. Its all about redundancy when it comes to motorcycles. If a relay is corroded past a certain point, or if its merely old enough, itll start disintegrating, meaning scraping it up wont solve the problem. Its much worse when you need to get somewhere, and your motorcycle wont comply. Some engines have a ground strap and some don't. Power also goes from the run/stop switch to the starter button, then to the switch on the clutch, through it when the lever is pulled in to the starter relay, turning it on to crank the engine. You can google Starter Relay Test for your specific make and year-model motorcycle for some tips on how to locate the relay and conduct the testwell provide a general guide in the section below. If it starts that way you have carb issues. Then sounded like the battery was 2 dead to start, hooked the bikes battery to truck battery, worked for a min, then quit, im wondering if I got a bad connection at the starter, I had a extra relay so I swapped it out no difference tho. Copyright 2020 - 2022 Webnews21 (GMW). How Do You Test a Starter Relay on a Motorcycle? Nothing but a click. exact same thing happened to me about 3 weeks ago Click to expand. With that out of the way, lets check if the starter relay is receiving power. Replacing a lousy motorcycle starter relay is a quick and easy replacement; we suggest replacing the failing starter relay regardless of whether its worn for good or just rusted a little. Check carefully the wire ends on the battery cables. Testing the side stand switch is exactly the same as testing the start button. sdjp op No necessarily. (maybe take shower gear, we forgot but if . Both the positive battery cable and the negative cable. This website or its third-party tools process personal data.In case of sale of your personal information, you may opt out by using the link. One hour jumping is really fun, there are lots of different activities, you can use the normal trampolines, play ball, try a dunk in a basket or try to ninja trail. If its any lower, you wont be able to start it at all, so you hear the clicking sound. BTW - Completely discharging a traditional lead/acid battery is "bad". Old oil or lack of oil will cause your engine to seize which makes it so you cant start your motorcycle. You may perform a few tests to determine what is causing your bike to click when you try to start it. If the load test fails, then individually test each battery and replace any faulty ones. Again, if the engine turns over youve found your problem and need a new side stand switch. If it doesnt, move on to the next switch. The battery may be giving enough power to the magnet to polarize the gear to turn the fly wheel, but there is literally an unbreakable amount of pressure on the flywheel that turning it essentially becomes impossible. If a bad battery and a seized engine are ruled out, the starter is the source of your motorcycles clicking. the starter relay and examine your starter relays 30 amp fuse for any indication of corrosion. The most obvious warning sign that a problem with the starter relay exists is when the vehicle won't start when you engage the ignition process. Webnews21 is all about lifestyle and entertainment. Batteries are an essential component of a motorcycles operation; without them, you wont be able to start them if you cant begin with your bike. Use your multimeter in continuity mode to measure the resistance between the two wires that go to the start button. The starter motor is responsible for turning or starting your engine. First, disconnect your battery. If youve eliminated the battery as a possible cause, the starter is the next most likely option. Ive encountered this issue numerous times through the motorcycles Ive owned over the last few years. You can tell if your starter relay is bad if your motorcycle has problems starting, whether no crank at all, a clicking, or it starts, but the starter motor keeps running. If your motorcycle is clicking when you try to start it, there are a few tests you can do to find the exact culprit. That can cause electrical connections to overheat and melt. By aiding the magnet, the starter aids the polarization process. Ford and Chrysler products usually have a relay in the circuit. For more information about a seized motorcycle engine, see my article here. the clicking was a relay not solenoid. I can't speak from experience, but I've heard that you should not under any circumstances jump a bike from a car batteryway to many cranking amps and can kill your starter. The starter is what assists the magnet in the polarizing process. 1. urn it off and its dead, 2003 Suzuki GSXR-600 Blue/White Color Scheme. If they do roll, your engine is fine. Even if you test the voltage on a battery and it says 12.6 volts (a full charge), that doesnt necessarily mean theres enough current in the battery to get the motorcycle started. We have done a visit for a team night out. The engine won't turn over and your car won't start. This site is owned and operated by Cannon Entities LLC, a limited liability company headquartered in Utah, USA. At 12.2 volts, 50% charged, and so on. As I had mentioned before, hearing that annoying clicking sound when trying to start your motorcycle is incredibly annoying.