If it starts, its safe to say that an under-charged battery was the issue. In this situation, deciding what to do can be difficult. Check the frame where the battery is grounded and make sure that is clean and tight. What if it happened in the middle of nowhere? Hook your Continuity Testers wires up to your starter relays battery terminal and starter motor terminal. No Clicking Noise When Trying to Start the Engine If it comes from the starter, your problem is in the solenoid. Yes, that means disconnecting the wires from one end and the other, then measuring the resistance of each one. Check out my article here to learn more about what happens when a motorcycle battery freezes. I get a used relay off ebay .. 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. Unstabilized gas in a motorcycle can start going bad in about 30 days. Mustangman February 27, 2023, 11:37pm 4. 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. I suggest that you get a new starter, and the problem should be resolved. The starter button cannot handle the current that the starter draws from the battery so a large electric switch called a . 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. If it helped you sol. Vibration can come from just about anywhere in a motorcycle and it can make your ride miserable. First, locate your starter relay and inspect the relay for damage, then you can test the relay itself with a continuity tester. Fully Licensed Motorcycle. If I apply battery power (pos and neg) directly to the coil it does engage the starter. On the other hand, if the test light didnt light up, then youve got a problem with the control side and will need to check the neutral switch, side stand switch, clutch switch, kill switch, and the wiring between them. It can also be a sign that the solenoid is not functioning correctly. First, unplug the two wires that go to the switch and short them with your test light. 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". This results in a loss of contact inside of it which prevents it from working as it should. In addition, if you dont properly winterize your motorcycle, the battery can potentially freeze and lose most of its capabilities. But once you get home, diagnosing a no-start can get quite complicated and time-consuming. If the magnet that polarizes the gear to turn the flywheel isnt magnetizing appropriately, the equipment wont turn the flywheel at all. Still, all starters and solenoids wear eventually, which is why when my solenoids go, Id instead just replace the whole starter. . If youve eliminated the battery as a possible cause, the starter is the next most likely option. Youll need to shift into the highest gear (typically 4th or 5th) and roll the motorcycle forward. Hook the clamp end of your test light to an engine ground then touch the test light to the starter post with the switch in start position. Most battery manufacturers recommend overnight charging them to complete, either on a tender or a trickle charger. Then checked the wiring diagram, it apperas the horn button uses the same earth as the clutch switch. The negative (ground) at the battery and the ground point. EXPERT TIP Jason Shackelford Auto Technician Motorcycle starter relay problems can be a frustrating issue for riders. If you have power coming from your start button it should be measurable. This is also a sign of low or dead battery. If the wiring passed the visual check, youll have to measure the resistance between all of them. Here are some ways you can prevent that from happening. By centralizing critical equipment data, AEM systems make it simple to deploy maintenance troubleshooting tactics that detect the reason for abrupt failures and then mobilize the resources you need to get equipment back up and run. 1,435 satisfied customers. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. If your bike doesnt have a kick-starter, you can diagnose a seized engine by rolling it around. Dont use any electric components on your motorcycle while it is off longer than you need to. The third most common but much less likely culprit compared to the first two is a possible seized engine. Thatll make it go out sooner than normal. When an engine seizes, the components inside the engine lock up to the point where the crankshaft is unable to turn the bearings. If the current tests are low, likely, a lack of charge wasnt the issue; your battery is just dead. Should be two large terminals on the solenoid. Chat us for guest posts and personalized ads, Motorcycle Starter Relay Clicks But No Crank, When you try to start your motorcycle It clicks. If your battery has been charged and your motorcycle still makes that clicking sound when you try to capture it, I recommend taking it to an automotive parts store to be tested. M mav Now, what if youre in the middle of nowhere, with no service around for miles? This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. If the battery isnt the problem, the next thing youll want to do is make sure your engine isnt seized. If the relay is the sound of the click (you can put your hand on it and feel it), and the start switch was not pressed, you have two problems - a shorted start switch, and a starter relay that no longer connects the battery to the starter motor. the kill switch is easy to bump and not even know it. 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. Youll need at least 12.2 volts or a 50 percent charge to start the motorcycle. Set all the interlocks to allow starting: PTO not on, brake applied, both handles at neutral, seat occupied. Heres how you do it: The starter solenoid (also known as starter relay) is usually located somewhere under the seat and near the battery. Lets start with the basics first, as theyre so easy to overlook. Drove it all day long started right up every time. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. If your battery doesnt have enough charge to power the magnet, the agent will fail in its attempts to crank the flywheel into motion. Check the electrolyte level (on removable caps batteries). Your battery could be reading 12.6 voltage even if it doesnt have enough current to start the bike. Swap out the fuse if its looking rough. About Us; Staff; Camps; Scuba. When it won't start, try jiggling the key in the ignition. Its the only way to properly test a circuit. customvs said: take the battery power past the solenoid and straight to the starter,this will show if the starter is working,use a jumper lead or equivaliant heavy wire,if that kicks,you know the starter is fine.my guess is solenoid. Attempt to start the engine and listen to the starter relay. Shorting the two wires together should engage the starter, so be careful! Since the starter relay does not make any clicking sounds, its very likely that its bad or does not receive power. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. some people keep the idle low, turn the screw in a half to 3/4th turn. If necessary, add distilled water to the cells and charge the battery. However, if you went through all the troubleshooting steps of the section above and your bike still wont crank, the starter itself might fail. But before you even do this make sure the battery is fully charged, that can also be a major factor in a starter failing. #3. So it won't crank. Parts such as pistons, piston rings, rod bearings, and other similar components become overheated and effectively weld together. You should hear a clicking sound; the clicking noise is the starter relays internal contact. Another component to inspect is the starter relay, which is located in the electrical fuse box underneath the side cover on the left side of the motorcycle. By doing this you will bypass the start button. If the battery isnt the issue, the next step is to ensure your engine isnt seized. The first and most common reason is because of a dead battery. Luckily, there are only a handful of components that could go bad and prevent the engine from starting, and if you test them and the wiring integrity between them properly, youll be back on the road in no time. Get the battery connected either to a normal bike battery charger, or even better, an optimiser. Your email address will not be published. Your email address will not be published. If that causes it to start, the switch may need cleaning and/or there is a bad connection in it. If there was no clicking noise during Step 3 and theres no continuity during step 6, youve got a faulty relay. Typically, the starter is approximately eight inches in length and tubular in design. If it doesnt, move on to the next switch. They are: No Crank, No Start; The starting process fails completely. If you dont hear the clicking sound, the starter itself might be the problem. 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. In that case, the starter relay has gone bad and you need to replace it. A motorcycle isnt very fun if you cant get it started. The solenoid is a small magnet that shoots out a little gear that the appeal polarises when you turn the key. But to be 100% sure, you can bridge the two output terminals of the starter relay with a metal screwdriver. So, in review, why is your motorcycle clicking instead of starting? Not even a click from the starter relay. I simply recommend you get a new starter and your issue should be solved. Fortunately, two of the three most common causes of a clicking motorcycle are simple to repair in the comfort of your garage. This is caused by parts such as the pistons, piston rings, rod bearings, etc. The solenoid bolts to the side of the starter motor and has two wires . 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. Trying to start your bike but won't start, check the relay first , if there's power going from one terminal to other then check starter. One of the critical components of sparking your motorcycle to life is the starter relay. The average ignition relay replacement cost is between $15 and $100, depending on the car model and labor costs. Charging a motorcycle battery can take anywhere between 8 20 hours. 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