16 replies to this topic

[NormanHouse]

For a few weeks now my 08 plate has been reluctant to start.

Engine lights on, needles do the sweep thing, green neutral light.

Press starter button and just a click sound - this will happen several times and eventually fire.

Checked battery, adjusted clutch cable, power cut switch and the sidestand is always up.

Am I correct in assuming it is a worn/failing Starter relay?

Is it straightforward to exchange?

[dablik]

Usually they work or dont, check for corrosion and check earth connections, easy enough to replace.. in fact i would lift the tank on it's hinge and pull and refit the connectors, usually spray mine with acf50, sometimes also a red wire gets corroded on one of the connectors underneath the tank, sounds like an intermittent problem if it fires eventually..

Edited by dablik, 13 August 2021 - 11:46 am.

[Studley Ramrod]

The click sound would suggest the solenoid is working and the battery could be flat or need charging.  Battery voltage would ideally be up around 12.9v

[NormanHouse]

Just tried it again.
Starter button, three times with a click.
Fourth time fires up!
Battery is at 12.6v so presume OK.
Do they (relays) degrade? I.E. Get worse if corroded or would it just stop working completely?

[fixitsan]

Does the fuel pump spin up as soon as you turn the ignition on each time, or do you only hear it the time it fires up ?

 

Additionally, With good battery voltage and a solenoid always clicking it could still be a solenoid fault, but equally a bad connector in the +12V high current starter circuit, a loose connector or corrossion at the spade and ring terminals on that wire.

 

WHats the history of the bike, has it been stood for a long time, or is it your daily rider ?

[NormanHouse]

It stood over winter with an optimate. Used every other day for 40 mile commute.
Now getting concerned it will not fire up when out and about. Definitely getting worse.

Edited by NormanHouse, 13 August 2021 - 07:01 pm.

[NormanHouse]

I've had it for 3.5 years - low miles. 15k I think.

[fixitsan]

I've had it for 3.5 years - low miles. 15k I think.

 

Does the fuel pump fire up every time you turn the ignition on ? (you should hear a whirring coming from the petrol tank for a couple of seconds after switching on) or does it sometimes not start and those are also the times you can't start her.

 

And the clicking noise you hear, is it good loud click, or small quiet tap coming from under the left side panel ?

[MarshallStone]

As you mentioned that you have gone through your battery and the adjusted the clutch. The problem can be with the starter motor or the relay. Check for the corrosion before getting it changed and Keep us posted!

[NormanHouse]

Pretty sure the fuel pump is whirring - it will start after all. Just takes a few times. But it is getting worse.
A definite single click audible from off the bike.

[chrisr]

Try a new battery first

[NormanHouse]

New Battery even though it reads 12.6?

[fixitsan]

Pretty sure the fuel pump is whirring - it will start after all.

 

There is a known fault where a connector to a relay corrodes and one of the devices which start to work intermittently is the fuel pump. Sometimes it won't work, and so it won't start, and other times it starts normally. Sounded similar to your symptoms, but if you're certain that it works every time it won't be that particular fault

[Catteeclan]

Find the starter motor positive wire and connect a 12v bulb/test light, (not a crappy led type),  between that and the chassis, hit the start button. Bulb lights up nice and bright you have a starter issue, if not you'll be working backwards from there.
Also check the main earth to the engine.

[thong]

For a few weeks now my 08 plate has been reluctant to start.

Engine lights on, needles do the sweep thing, green neutral light.

Press starter button and just a click sound - this will happen several times and eventually fire.

Checked battery, adjusted clutch cable, power cut switch and the sidestand is always up.

Am I correct in assuming it is a worn/failing Starter relay?

Is it straightforward to exchange?

I would just like to say that I had this exact same problem and replacing the relay cured it.

[wicklamulla]

i'd squirt contact cleaner into the rhs  handlebar switch cluster which will clean dirty starter contacts.  Always try the cheap stuff before buying batteries and relays. 

[PICARD]

+1 for starting at the switch.