possible relay problem
 

Hey guys :) I have a bit of a starting problem but not with my SV650, hoping someone can offer some advice. It's a 1993 yamaha radian, when I try to start it ,it will try to crank a little but then will just start clicking at me. I think this is coming from the starter relay. I checked the battery tonight though to see if it was having enough power but Im unsure of the results. With the bike off and the batteyr fully charged I'm seeing 12.9v across it, with the bike on this drops to 10.9v and will be gradually dropping on the multimeter. I tried starting the bike but got the same issue, and then re attached the multimeter with the bike off and could see the voltage start raising from about 12v. Does anyone know what this might mean?
Thanks in advance for the help :)

Ant.

Re: possible relay problem
 

The battery's flat.

Re: possible relay problem
 

Flat? Are you sure? It's been kept on an optimate and that's showing it as being fine, was also checked by a garage a few months back and they said it was ok?
It's getting annoying now :'(

Re: possible relay problem
 

Yes I am sure. Starting current causes voltage to drop so relay contacts open which removes the current hence letting the voltage back up which closes the relay which drops the voltage... clickety click.

Re: possible relay problem
 

Bugger . . Still not sure what you mean though, but I'll take your word for it ;)
Would it be detrimental to connect the battery from my SV to the other bike to see if it will kick off with that one?

Re: possible relay problem
 

Should be fine

Re: possible relay problem
 

Cool, I'll give it a go later and see head to the local shop for a new battery :)
Thanks for the help Chris :D

Re: possible relay problem
 

So new battery is charging and almost ready to go, my concern is that the bike isn't keeping the battery charged whilst running. Is there a way to check this? Such as running the bike and checking the voltage while it's running??

Re: possible relay problem
 

Yea put a multimeter across terminals, it needs to be 13.5>14.5V at pretty much any revs with headlights on or off.

If it is below at tickover that is not ideal but acceptable so long as it is in range at 5k rpm.
If it is above at any voltage then your reg is gone
If is is below at 5krpm or being significantly weird then either reg rec is gone or bad contact or bad alternator