motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank

If the magnet that polarizes the gear to turn the flywheel isnt magnetizing appropriately, the equipment wont turn the flywheel at all. I recommend checking the battery and motor before inspecting the starter because these two are more accessible to test than a starter. Required fields are marked *. Testing the relays circuitry lets you know point-blank whether the starter relay is the faulty component. It does not store any personal data. Yes! Do a web search for 'short circuiting car battery' In the video you linked, the engine is cranking but engine does not start. Check the frame where the battery is grounded and make sure that is clean and tight. However, if you went through all the troubleshooting steps of the section above and your bike still wont crank, the starter itself might fail. Im sure its not the battery just got it earlier this year. Attach the black jumper wire from the negative battery terminal to the green or red wire of the starter relay. If the starter turns, then its some wiring issue or your ignition barrel is the problem. battery is showing 12.54 VDC. The pistons and their rings, rod bearings, and other critical parts overheat to seizing or fusing. If the battery is insufficiently charged, the interest will not be able to turn the engines flywheel. Bladeracer is most likely correct. Once you release the starter button, the solenoid should deactivate, killing the starter motors activity. 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. Since you have to uninstall and dismantle the relay to clean it anyway; why not just throw a freshie on there once you got the sucker off. Gonna use 'em to build another bike! Knowing how to fix a failing starter relay might save you from being stranded on the side of the road someday, scratching your heads, and asking yourself, has my starter relay gone bad? Worn spark plugs. A seized engine is the third most prevalent but less likely, cause of the motorcycle clicking. If it starts, its safe to say that an under-charged battery was the issue. Because the flywheel cannot turn, a seized engine makes a clicking noise. 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. Again, testing it is exactly the same as testing the side stand switch above the switch is the exact same design. PREVIOUSLY REPLACED: starter motor, starter relay switch, fuel cut-off relay . GY6 Solenoid clicks but won't start Kachi's Kid 6.7K subscribers Subscribe 2.6K 354K views 4 years ago Solenoid,. Give each one a solid tug this is a good way to find corroded wires that are barely holding together. Lets cut to the troubleshooting process and break down the symptoms of a bad starter relay and look at the specifics. How Do You Isolate a Bad Starter Relay on a Motorcycle? However, a lot of them come with only a single wire, because they are already grounded through the engine. Usually, this points to an air/fuel delivery problem, a spark delivery problem, or a lack of compression. Check the electrolyte level (on removable caps batteries). To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Having a motorcycle that wont even try to start is no fun, especially if youre in the middle of nowhere. Youll have to improvise with this one. battery . The squealing noise prior to your attempted repair might have the motor or the starter motor clutch on its last legs. But the flywheel is failing to turn the pistons because theyre fused to the parts around them, to the point of placing immense pressure on the flywheel. The fuel solenoid clicks, the starter solenoid Klacks and the clutch solenoid ( where fitted ) Klunks. Its the only way to properly test a circuit. If not, it's a bad starter or solenoid. How to Investigate All Remainaing Leads in Velen? No-Click No-Crank: When this occurs, power is not being sent to the solenoid, making it very unlikely that the issue is related to the starter motor. Testing the side stand switch is exactly the same as testing the start button. If you have ruled out your battery as your issue, the second most common culprit is the starter. Turn the ignition on, transmission in neutral, etc. Turn the key in the ignition and nothing. This is why oil changes and top-offs are essential for any bike. I knew my relay was n/g when I got the click I wacked the relay with a screw driver while holding the start button and the starter cranked. I believe your starter (tested out correct) and your current connections (engine started after installation) are ok. Replacing the battery should have your bike starting right up. Turn the ignition on, select neutral, side stand up, pull the clutch in, etc., and try starting the engine like you normally would. Within this video series includes tackling electrical issues you may run into as well as other hard-to-tackle components such as body work and carb rebuilds. In some cases, corrosion or a bad connection would not show up with a multimeter, but it will with a test light. '86 Silver CMX450C. Then you got a bad relay. Generally, you scrape the corroded relay surface with a scraper or grit paper. 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 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. Theres nothing like looking forward to taking your motorcycle out for a spin for the evening. Discuss the GSX-R600, GSX-R750, GSX-R1000, and GSX-R1100, and more! The engine won't turn over and your car won't start. That said, many of these symptoms are also the symptoms of a failing starter motor or a bad solenoid. Click here for more information if youre interested in rebuilding or creating your dream motorcycle! Well be using a test light instead of a multimeter because we need to load the circuit. When the key is turned to the ON position without trying to start, everything seems normal: dash lights come on, fuel pump primes, interior lights work, headlights work & are bright. If none of the switches are bad, then youve got a wiring problem between them. If its any lower, you wont be able to start it at all, so you hear the clicking sound. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Validate the solution and keep a record of it. Failing to keep up with your oil levels and condition, or using low-grade or contaminated oil, are the main reasons a motorcycle engine seizes. 2009 CMX250; one black, one blue '89 VN750, 2006 ninja 250. When you push start the bike, with it in gear you crank the motor manually, so check the connection (s) at or around the start button. By doing this you will bypass the start button. Make a quick inspection of the battery first: Check the case for damage. By doing this, were completely bypassing the side stand switch. Turn the ignition on, transmission in neutral, etc. Engine temperature sensor or PCM coolant sensor. Before you order a new starter, find a fuel pump PSI tester. Press the start button to try and start the engine. The clicking you hear is the starter gears failing to crank the flywheel due to a failed magnetization. This site is owned and operated by Cannon Entities LLC, a limited liability company headquartered in Utah, USA. The number one sign a starter relay is done for is that nothing happens when youre trying to start your motorcycleno click, no crank, no ticking; nada. The second reason could be due to a bad starter. 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 primary and most usual reason is that the battery has died. Essentially, this gear starts turning which in turn starts rotating the flywheel in the engine. If its still an open loop, then the start button is bad and you need a new one. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo, VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Some of the Triumph models have an electrical design problem. 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. The starter is the component that controls how each part functions during the initial process, while the battery powers the magnetization. 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. While starter relay problems arent necessarily widespread, all mechanical parts wear out, eventually. Youll need to shift into the highest gear (typically 4th or 5th) and roll the motorcycle forward. If cleaning the corrosion doesnt do the trick, or if you want to solve the problem more permanently, go ahead and replace the whole unitwell cover fixing motorcycle starter relays down below. Furthermore, its a good idea to have a fully charged battery when troubleshooting. First, disconnect your battery. We would love to hear your thoughts! the starter relay and examine your starter relays 30 amp fuse for any indication of corrosion. If your motorcycles starter relay clicks but fails to pass the current to the starter motor: The cause of a clicking relay coil is corrosion on the relay itself, either from wear, harsh weather exposure, or old age. The starter works fine, and the only remaining component is the relay. 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. Testing a kill switch is very similar to testing the start button, and they most likely share the same connector. Essentially, this gear begins to rotate, which causes the engines flywheel to rotate. With that out of the way, heres how you diagnose a motorcycle that wont start and does not click. Webnews21 is all about lifestyle and entertainment. Relatd:What Does a Solenoid Do On A Motorcycle? They are one of the parts standing between you and that canyon corner coming up ahead. 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. Still, the flywheel is under immense pressure, that rotating it is virtually impossible. Those clicking noises can rapidly spoil someones day. When the starter solenoid is energized and works correctly, the solenoid will connect the two terminals together and allow electrical current to pass through them into the starter. Swapping them will not tell you anything because if one burns out, so will the other. Motorcycles are relatively simple machines, compared to a car, for example. Related:9 Reasons Motorcycles Wont Start When Hot (Explained). If a bad battery and a seized engine are ruled out, the starter is the source of your motorcycles clicking. 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. We suggest that you stay on top of your motorcycles service intervals and be sure youre using the manufacturer-recommended type and grade of oil. Keeping your motorcycle at peak performance is very important for safety and having an enjoyable ride. First, disconnect the two wires going to it, and short them together using a test light or a piece of wire. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Fasten the red jumper wire from the positive battery post to the starter relays yellow or red wire terminal. 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. Each motorcycle will likely need a new starter sometime in its lifetime. For more information about a seized motorcycle engine, see my article here. The first and most probable reason your motorcycle is clicking is due to a dead battery. Over time, the internal components of the starter begin to wear. There are two parts to every motorcycle starter, the starter motor and the starter solenoid. The solenoid is a little magnet and when you turn the key, it shoots out a small gear that the magnet polarizes. Did you find wrong information or was something missing? Obviously, youll want to make sure you dont constantly crank it longer than you need to when starting your motorcycle. You know the usual. A battery that is low on voltage will cause the injectors not to fire. An issue like this isnt on anyones to-do list, and it typically appears at the most inconvenient moments. 12.4 volts is considered 75% charged, 12.2 is considered 50% charged and so on. 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. REVIEW: R1. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. A motorcycle isnt very fun if you cant get it started. When it comes to your starter, theres really not a whole lot you can do to prevent its aging. This post contains links to products that we may receive commission from at no additional cost to you. In this situation, deciding what to do can be difficult. Defective push-button start system. Connect battery last and test. If it still clicks, remove the starter and bench test. Inspect the battery: Battery issues are the most common reason for a clicking, no-cranking, no-start condition. Ideally, it should be around 12.4-6V. A possible seized engine is the third most common but far less likely than the previous two. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. BTW - Completely discharging a traditional lead/acid battery is "bad". We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. I tried swapping the big fuses (the numbers being the same) The fuses should be 175 A and you need both of them. Motorcycles and automotive repair have been a big part of his family for generations, therefore its only natural that he decided to become a heavy-duty diesel tech. If your battery read at 12.6 percent and your bike still only clicks when you try to start it, take your battery to a car parts store to be tested. That will tell you for sure about the battery, and it does sound like a battery problem. 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. Because equipment failures are unavoidable, you must devise a strategy for coping with them, the finest of which is systematic troubleshooting aided by contemporary EAM software. 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 this indicated the battery is good, explore further. no aftermarket products are connected to the battery. I simply recommend you get a new starter and your issue should be solved. Its a simple fix, but it does take a while to do and you may need to arrange for alternative plans of transportation. WulfMoto.com is a participant in the Amazon.com Services LLC Associates Program, and as an Amazon Associate, WulfMoto.com earns from qualifying purchases. Another symptom of a failing starter is intermittent starting. If not, your house keys should do the trick. You could try a voltage check at your relay signal voltage. Theres also a phenomenon called parasitic drain. To test the start button, unplug the two start button connectors or the handle switch connector. 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 necessary, add distilled water to the cells and charge the battery. the coil + terminal does measure 12V when attempting to start. Now you understand why we had you start with the battery and the starter. everything is new in the ignition circuit. Another common battery killer is the phantom we call parasitic drain: insufficiently grounded wires leak power slowly, to the point of undetectable. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Your email address will not be published. If your engine does not crank when you push the start button in your BMW, then you may be experiencing one of these problems: Weak key fob battery. The second reason could be due to a bad starter. 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. Not even a click from the starter relay. Stabilized gas should not be used after 6-12 months. Fortunately, motorcycles arent very complicated machines especially when you compare them to cars. We would love to hear your thoughts! :-o. Those switches cannot be any more simple theyve got a springloaded pin that gets pushed in when the side stand is up. Push the key in for power, run a ground wire to terminal 31B, and the starter should spin. 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. Had 5850 miles when purchased. (Explained). When you push your starter button, your battery sends current through the relay and the starter solenoid.

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