power from the battery to the starter motor. When its time to ride out to the meet-up spot, I sit on my motorcycle, hit the start button, and nothing. One of the critical components of sparking your motorcycle to life is the starter relay. Those clicking noises can ruin someones day pretty quickly. Check the wire from the negative battery post to the fender. The solenoid bolts to the side of the starter motor and has two wires . Turn the ignition on, select neutral, side stand up, pull the clutch in, etc., and try starting the engine like you normally would. May 13, 2012. Why is my motorcycle clicking when I try to start it? Kyle currently works as a mechanical engineer and graduated with a minor in automotive engineering. Turn the ignition on, transmission in neutral, etc. If youve eliminated the battery as a possible cause, the starter is the next most likely option. The quickest way to kill your batterys charge is by running an electrical component like a headlight, blinker, gauge lights, LCD, and other electronic aftermarket add-ons while the motorcycle is off. As you will notice, all involve starting issues. Also make sure you didn't accidentally push the kill switch. It seems like extra work, replacing your solenoid, reinstalling the old starter only to tear it all back apart when the rest wears out soon after. Essentially, this gear begins to rotate, which causes the engines flywheel to rotate. How Do You Test a Starter Relay on a Motorcycle? no dimming of lights in the process (no clutch switch, kill . 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. Mar 6, 2012. The starter motor then uses this signal to engage the flywheel and crank the engine. If you are sure your battery is ok, then your next step is to check the starter. Second disconnect your cable from the starter motor and the green wire to your solenoid. As a result, the clicking sound will be produced. Also check ground strap from engine to frame. The second reason could be due to a bad starter. Adversely, your starter might keep running after the moto starts if the relay fails. Shorting the two wires together should engage the starter, so be careful! 6 Reasons Why Your Motorcycle Accelerates By Itself. Attempt to start the engine and listen to the starter relay. Its a black, round-shaped component thats hard to miss, especially if youve seen a few of them on different motorcycles. Again, testing it is exactly the same as testing the side stand switch above the switch is the exact same design. So, I have power from the battery. While holding the key, jump the solenoid contacts with a wrench. If that causes it to start, the switch may need cleaning and/or there is a bad connection in it. Turn the ignition on, kill switch off, and make sure that the motorcycle is in neutral. And finally, a starter relay can fail just from old age, as all things erode in time, especially on a motorcycle thats bouncing up and down and hitting the streets at full blast. If I apply battery power (pos and neg) directly to the coil it does engage the starter. Meaning of Have You Tried Turning It Off and On Again?, Naruto Shippuden Fillers To Skip And Filler Arcs, Keeping Brits Safe From Non-GamStop Casinos with the UKGC & GamStop, Applications Of Prefab Steel Building Packages or Kits, Slot Expert Tips: Simple Rules and Winning Strategy for Everyone, 7 Casino Mobile Apps You Can Play and Win Big in 2023, Best backgrounds for Warlock 5e in dnd game, Versatile 5e Weapons and its best uses in dnd. Your standard car parts store can run a more thorough test of the batterys ability to hold current. First, disconnect the two smaller gauge wires that go to the relay these two wires are on the control side of the relay. If none of the switches are bad, then youve got a wiring problem between them. By aiding the magnet, the starter aids the polarization process. A frozen battery can lose its ability to hold current. yeah, i've jumped my bike using my car and have had no problems. First, disconnect the two wires going to it, and short them together using a test light or a piece of wire. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. What if my motorcycle doesnt make any noise when I try to start it? Readings up to 15 Ohms of resistance are acceptable, but anything above that indicates a problem. If you have a kick starter engine, a good way to tell if the engine is seized is the fact that the kick pedal will not move at all because the components inside the engine are stuck in place. Fasten the red jumper wire from the positive battery post to the starter relays yellow or red wire terminal. Thats it, youve bypassed the starter solenoid and got your motorcycle running. 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. 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. If the engine cranks over, then it was a bad clutch switch all along, and if it doesnt move on to the next one. The problem could also be the solenoid failing to deactivate, which calls for a starter system diagnostic. Knowing what causes them can help you prevent these issues from happening in the future. 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. 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. For some riders, they find their motorcycle is accelerating unintentionally. 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. Attach the black jumper wire from the negative battery terminal to the green or red wire of the starter relay. Now just because the relay doesnt click doesnt mean its the fault. Thatll make it go out sooner than normal. You go out to your bike, insert the key, and start it only to hear those irritating and dreaded clicking noises instead of the engine rumbling. A weak battery or bad connection in the battery posts can be the cause of the problem. Regardless, a starter system diagnosis would be the next step in determining if it is, in fact, your relay thats causing the problem. Those clicking noises can rapidly spoil someones day. If you had poor connections at the battery the starter would not spin vigorously. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. So, in review, why is your motorcycle clicking instead of starting? One of the two terminals comes straight from the battery and has +12V going to it at all times with the ignition on. Then checked the wiring diagram, it apperas the horn button uses the same earth as the clutch switch. Still wouldn't start tried again 10 minutes later stared right up. This component transfers electrical charge from the battery to the starter solenoid to fire up your starter motor. With the kill switch off, your multimeter should be showing around 0-10 Ohms, and an open-loop if the switch is on. Tested battery had 12.6 volts. Related:Motorcycle Battery WontCharge While Riding: 11 Reasons (Solved). Put your motorcycle battery back on. 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. You should hear and feel the relay click. battery is showing 12.54 VDC. Required fields are marked *. Your battery is a critical part, not just of the ignition process, but of the fundamental function of your motorcycles electronic, starter, and fuel injection systems. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Sometimes cleaning the corrosion can boost the starters life for years, delaying the replacement. , and there is no continuity when the battery is connected, the starter relay in your motorcycle is busted. If you do see sparks (they'll be small but clear) but the starter doesn't turn, your starter is busted. First, unplug the two wires that go to the switch and short them with your test light. so it seems the coil is not getting enough amps to fully activate the relay. 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. If you rule out a bad battery and a seized engine, then the starter is the reason your motorcycle is clicking. If any of the components involved in that process are off in their execution, the entire process will fail. If the solenoid is faulty, it . Two important clues you have given. Check carefully the wire ends on the battery cables. If the wind is too low, you could need a new battery (which is convenient because youre already at a parts store). If it doesnt, move on to the next switch. Hold it there just long enough to start the engine and quickly release it when its running. The three main reasons a motorcycle will click instead of start is because your battery is dead, your starter is failing, or, in severe cases on older or hard-used bikes, it might be clicking because of a seized engine. Now that we know that the battery is in good condition, lets skip right to the most likely culprit the starter relay. When I try to start my motorcycle, it clicks. A forum community dedicated to the Suzuki GSX-R motorcycle. Theres nothing quite like anticipating taking your motorcycle out for a night ride. When the starter solenoid decides to call it quits, the starter motor won't work, either. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. 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. Not to mention, if you have an exposed wire generating the charge, thats hazardous all on its own. 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. Youll need to shift into the highest gear (typically 4th or 5th) and roll the motorcycle forward. At that point, my plans for that day were ruined, but I got lucky. Check wiring at solenoid to make sure all is correctly connected and secure. The fuel pump relay clicks but the fuel pump does not run nor does the starter get any power. Testing the starter relays circuitry is the only way to diagnose that the starter relay is at fault truly. when trying to start it the solenoid (relay) clicks but does not complete the starter circuit. Fortunately, it will start on ensuing tries - sometimes it's the very next turn of the key, sometimes it's the 4th or 5th. They do not last forever and are known to go bad from time to time. Your battery could be reading 12.6 voltage even if it doesnt have enough current to start the bike. Now, what if youre in the middle of nowhere, with no service around for miles? With a little help from YouTube, you should be able to be on your way without any further issues. The first and most common reason is because of a dead battery. Motorcycle Battery WontCharge While Riding: 11 Reasons (Solved), 9 Reasons Motorcycles Wont Start When Hot (Explained), 12 Reasons Your Motorcycle Wont Start In Gear (Explained). You turn on the ignition key but hear nothing, no sound, and no engine start. Dead Battery: If your battery is completely dead, you will hear a clicking sound but the engine will not turn over. 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. Do not skip this step. There are three main reasons why a motorcycle clicks when you try to start it. 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 the battery is insufficiently charged, the interest will not be able to turn the engines flywheel. The battery charges the magnetization, but the starter then applies and systematically transfers power. He loves restoring motorcycles, has a vast knowledge of how they work, and has sold his restoration projects to customers from all over the United States. . Cleaned everything out put back together.. I get a used relay off ebay .. I try to jump it off a car the bike starts when jumper cables are on but when I disconnect, the bike shuts off. Turn the key a few more times and get more single clicks. If not, your house keys should do the trick. you mean the 30 fuse on the relay? Monitor the gauge needle on the Continuity Tester to read if your flow is continuous. I have ran into this problem many times myself through the motorcycles Ive owned these past few years. 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.. 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. 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. Yes! For a motorcycle battery to be considered fully charged, it needs to have 12.6 volts. The starter is what assists the magnet in the polarizing process. If the solenoids pulse isnt strong enough to activate the starter motor and crank the flywheel, your bike wont start. If it does you have a fuel delivery problem. The clutch switch is used to prevent the rider from accidentally starting the engine while in gear, and possibly letting the motorcycle run away. 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. Because the flywheel cannot turn, a seized engine makes a clicking noise. Related:12 Reasons Your Motorcycle Wont Start In Gear (Explained). If you hear your relay letting off a rapid-fire of clicks, but the bike never cranks over, chances are the starter motor isnt getting the juice it needs from the relay to start your bikes engine. A motorcycle battery might take anything from 8 to 20 hours to set. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Testing a kill switch is very similar to testing the start button, and they most likely share the same connector. This is especially helpful during the winterizing process. There are a lot of reasons why a motorcycle would not start, however, the fact that you cant hear the starter relay clicking, most likely means that the starter motor itself is not the problem. i assume it turns over but won't fire. 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. Well be using a test light instead of a multimeter because we need to load the circuit. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. the 4P* starter switch works = starter relay switch clicks only (noticed a tiny connection spark) R3. Using a wiring diagram, find the two wires that go to the start button. The primary and most usual reason is that the battery has died. If your battery doesnt have enough charge to power the magnet, the agent will fail in its attempts to crank the flywheel into motion. If your bike doesnt have a kick-starter, you can diagnose a seized engine by rolling it around. Turn the key again and the car fires right up. Relatd:What Does a Solenoid Do On A Motorcycle? Actually, unless the relay has a diode in it, it won't matter if the polarity is switched; the electromagnet will be energized regardless. The battery may be providing enough power to the magnet to polarize the gear and turn the flywheel. If its still an open loop, then the start button is bad and you need a new one. Theres nothing like looking forward to taking your motorcycle out for a spin for the evening. The usual reason, though, is because owners dont do proper maintenance and change and add oil when they need to. Usually, this points to an air/fuel delivery problem, a spark delivery problem, or a lack of compression. Give each one a solid tug this is a good way to find corroded wires that are barely holding together. I started my 2001 Honda shadow ace 750 up just to let it run. If a bad battery and a seized engine are ruled out, the starter is the source of your motorcycles clicking. Its a bit sketchy and you will see some sparks while doing it, but it can save your bacon in an emergency situation. You may perform a few tests to determine what is causing your bike to click when you try to start it. Typically, this points to a . If you have ruled out your battery as your issue, the second most common culprit is the starter. You didn't say you checked battery voltage at the battery while at rest and while cranking (or trying to crank) Then check voltage at the battery side of the rela,then again at the starter side of the relay while pushing the button. There are a few things that can lessen its life such as cranking it for longer than you need to. Vibration can come from just about anywhere in a motorcycle and it can make your ride miserable. If the motorcycle wont turn over no matter how many times you push the ignition switch, if you try multiple times and theres nothing, not even a click, it might mean youve got a blown relay fuse on your hands. 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. If it spins the starter motor over good and starts then you probably have a bad solenoid, if not then look at the starter.
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