Starting problems now twice!
 

Couple of weeks ago, started bike, went for ride (50+miles), stopped approx 45 mins came back wouldn't start. Sounded like flat battery, no guts, and no I didn't leave lights on etc.etc.
Got bump, started immediatly, no problems since until yesterday.
Started in the morning 1st thing, no probs on the button as usual.
At college all day, no lights on again, came back in afternoon, non starter, same situation, starter tries, but is as if had a part flat battery, bumped it no probs.

Took it for a short run last night 15 miles & parked it overnight.
Came to it this morning, started on the button 1st time again no probs.

Have tested battery, not started the bike, shows 13v with nothing on, 11.5v with full lights on the bike.

Did output test, bike running @ 3k rpm, meter reading of 13.5v with full lights on.

Now, I have read various posts overnight, if I am getting 13.5V with full load, seems this should show the reg/rec is OK (?) & 13V at battery having only done short run last night after problems, seems it is holding charge(?).

Left it for another 1/2 hour, gone out again, started on the button immediatly.

So, any ideas where to go next:smt017, is used everyday for work/college so needs to be sorted, can't have it playing sillly buggers, need to find the cause of the problem ASAP before really bad weather means no fixie time, don't have a garage so everything is done outside.
Any pointers / proceedures to do checks greatfully rec.

Thanks,
OG

Re: Starting problems now twice!
 

Good morning.


Sounds like a dodgy connection somewhere, possibly in the starter solenoid. Next time it does it try bridging the contacts on the solenoid with a stout piece of metal. If it starts ok then it's most likely that the solenoid has dodgy contacts inside.
It could be a similar problem within the starter motor, these are a little more tricky to clean out, so don't try it if you're not confident.


Cheers.

Re: Starting problems now twice!
 

Ta, where is the starter solinoid, can I take it out & test it? No.2 son uses the bike daily, if it goes down on him & I ask him to use a piece of metal etc. will prob. end up in flames, so would prefer to check myself.

Re: Starting problems now twice!
 

Starter solenoid is (on a curvy) behind the panel under the riders seat on the right hand side (non-side stand side of the bike). It has a green top to it, and has a thickly insulated cable connecting to it from the battery and then another coming from it to the starter motor

I had to replace mine after mine decided not to release when I let go of the starter button!

40 p from wemoto....because the sound of my bike distracted the cashier :smt106

Re: Starting problems now twice!
 

13v is too low, i would have thourght the regrec

Re: Starting problems now twice!
 

i thot it was 14.5 at 6000rpm......

Re: Starting problems now twice!
 

Haynes says 13.5V - 15.5V @ 5K RPM, anyone have any other ideas?
Can I safely assume that at 13.5V the Reg/Rec is OK & put this out of the equation.?

Re: Starting problems now twice!
 

Just had a look at this, can it be tested with a gauge or something?
no loose wires, connections clean, no burnt bits etc.etc. or anything obvious.????

Re: Starting problems now twice!
 

I'm not sure how you can test it. When I had to replace mine, there were no obvious external faults - it was an internal fault, so no hope of really finding out what happened :(

If you have the ignition off, and bridge the contacts (using a sturdy peice of metal like what spannerman suggested :D), the engine should still turn over (but not fire up because the spark plugs wont be sparking). Thats the only real test I can think of...

Re: Starting problems now twice!
 

Good morning all.


The solenoid contacts are inside the unit & therefore out of sight. As they carry a fair bit of current they gradually burn. Slow cranking is usually the first sign that they're on their way, but this doesn't always occur.


Cheers.