SV650S starter relay clicking.
 

Yet another problem with my bike, oh how I love it!

I'm currently trying to diagnose a problem with my 2000 SV650S however I now can't even get the bike started. When I press the starter I hear a single click from the starter relay and all of my lights dim, but nothing else happens.

As far as I am aware the battery is good, it was bought less than a month ago, has only had about 200 miles on it, and up until now it was working perfectly. Even if it was a case of the battery not holding charge, I had it on charge overnight and only disconnected it about 5 seconds before trying to start the bike.

I have recently been doing a bit of work on the bike and I did have the carbs off, however as far as I'm aware I hadn't left anything disconnected, so I'm pretty damn sure the problem isn't to do with anything I've done to the bike!

Can anybody please give me some suggestions as to what the problem is likely to be, or what I can test to find it out.

Thanks.

*EDIT* Also, if it is a case of the battery not being up to it, is it possible to jump the bike off a car battery? Just wondering because I only need to get the bike started once, and if I can jump it off a car it would mean I could get on with everything else I have to do before having to sort this problem out.

Re: SV650S starter relay clicking
 

Ive jumped mine off the car in the past, just made sure the car wasnt running at the time.

Re: SV650S starter relay clicking.
 

If you have a small hill nearby can you not bump start it. Not sure about the SV, but I have had mates do it on other bikes.

You can even do it by running along side before jumping on and letting out the clutch, but it might be harder/riskier.

Re: SV650S starter relay clicking.
 

yes you can jump it of another battery,but if you try to start a bike with a flat battery and all you hear is a click the chances are you will burn the starter motor out. as there isnt enough power to turn the engine over but it acts like a short and will burn the brush's and the stator with which it makes contact with

Re: SV650S starter relay clicking.
 

I should have also said, the battery is reading about 12.7/12.8 volts, so it obviously has power!

Re: SV650S starter relay clicking.
 

if its a fairly new battery then you would think it was good, but just because you have vaults doesnt necesserily mean you have enough amps to turn the engine over,what you discibe sounds just like what happens on a car with a loose or dirty terminal

Re: SV650S starter relay clicking.
 

What do I need to test for to check if the battery is good?

Also, if we assume the battery is good then what else could be causing the problem?

With your voltmeter connected to the battery, does the voltage drop significantly when you turn on the ignition? Then try switching on the lights.

You can have a knackered battery that seems to be fully charged but falls over as soon as you ask it to do anything useful.

Re: SV650S starter relay clicking.
 

A jammed starter motor will also produce this effect as will a poor connetor or loose ground bolt. If the battery is fully charged then look at the starter circuit (motor/grounds/relay terminals etc)

Re: SV650S starter relay clicking.
 

Voltage stays stable with the ignition & lights on but seems to nosedive down to about 7v when I press the started.