motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank

No start no crank it just clicks. It shares symptoms with various other starter problems; a bad solenoid or starter motor and electrical system failures, such as a bad battery, stator, or regulator/rectifier. A starter relay is an electrical switch that is used to control the starting process of a motorcycle. Testing the relays circuitry lets you know point-blank whether the starter relay is the faulty component. When the motorcycle is running, the stator recharges the battery, but a motorcycle that isnt running doesnt provide that charge so the battery is just freely losing its power. Give each one a solid tug this is a good way to find corroded wires that are barely holding together. Steps and advice for troubleshooting equipment. How long does it take for gas to go bad in a motorcycle? Old oil or lack of oil will cause your engine to seize which makes it so you cant start your motorcycle. ho0w do u test a starter relay??? Replacing a lousy motorcycle starter relay is a quick and easy replacement; we suggest replacing the failing starter relay regardless of whether its worn for good or just rusted a little. Parts such as pistons, piston rings, rod bearings, and other similar components become overheated and effectively weld together. Did you find wrong information or was something missing? If you find this video useful let me know by. (Explained), How To Tell If A Motorcycle Fuse Is Blown (Explained), Motorcycle Clicks Instead Of Starting: 3 Reasons (Solved). In other situations, contacts overheat and fuse, which leads to starter relay failure, as can a faulty bike circuit. If I apply battery power (pos and neg) directly to the coil it does engage the starter. A motorcycle starter can be repaired using a variety of methods. Those clicking noises can rapidly spoil someones day. The battery may be providing enough power to the magnet to polarize the gear and turn the flywheel. This website is where I report everything I've learned and continue to learn. 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. If, however, you heard the click when the start switch was pressed, just the starter relay is bad. Why is my motorcycle clicking when I try to start it? Let the car run for five minutes then give the bike starter a go. Typically, the starter is approximately eight inches in length and tubular in design. Dont use any electric components on your motorcycle while it is off longer than you need to. Make a list of plausible reasons and theories. Step 1. Very often on BCF people write that their bike won't start but makes a fast clicking noise. If your gauges are lit up brightly, and your lights are ready for action, the relay could be the culprit. You dont want your clicking to result from a seized engine; under ordinary riding circumstances, a seized engine is extremely rare. Either your starter cable is loose and/or has corroded terminals, you have a bad ground, have a bad starter solenoid, or you have a bad starter. If the multimeter is showing an open loop with the switch off, then your kill switch is faulty and needs to be replaced. Was this article helpful? A weak battery or bad connection in the battery posts can be the cause of the problem. Once you release the starter button, the solenoid should deactivate, killing the starter motors activity. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Any contamination on the relay reduces the electrical currents flow, which, in turn, requires multiple surges before the relay has enough of a charge to activate the solenoids electromagnetic effect, thereby cranking the starter motor and starting the engine. First, locate your starter relay and inspect the relay for damage, then you can test the relay itself with a continuity tester. The solenoid is a little magnet and when you turn the key, it shoots out a small gear that the magnet polarizes. some people keep the idle low, turn the screw in a half to 3/4th turn. Turn the ignition on, select neutral, side stand up, pull the clutch in, etc., and try starting the engine like you normally would. 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. coming from. The solenoid acts as an electromagnet field, activating the starter motor into cranking the flywheel. Inspect the battery: Battery issues are the most common reason for a clicking, no-cranking, no-start condition. 12.4 volts is considered 75% charged, 12.2 is considered 50% charged and so on. Either of those will limit the amount of power going to the starter. Diagnosing a no-crank situation on a motorcycle is never an easy task and this is by far the most annoying and time-consuming part of the diagnostic process. Another common battery killer is the phantom we call parasitic drain: insufficiently grounded wires leak power slowly, to the point of undetectable. The solenoid in the starter has power and ground but it sticks. Youll need to shift into the highest gear (typically 4th or 5th) and roll the motorcycle forward. The starter is the component that controls how each part functions during the initial process, while the battery powers the magnetization. By aiding the magnet, the starter aids the polarization process. I started my 2001 Honda shadow ace 750 up just to let it run. 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. Start with the most accessible or most likely factors to eliminate. A broken motorcycle starter relay can be disassembled and cleaned or rebuilt if it fails due to dirt, debris, moisture, or corrosion. The first and most common reason is because of a dead battery. Apr 27, 2010. A frozen battery can lose its ability to hold current. You should hear and feel the relay click. The starter should now engage and turn over the engine. Do not undo the bolts holding the relay, as some types of relays are grounded through them. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. exact same thing happened to me about 3 weeks ago Click to expand. what does panic stand for in electrolysis; aquarius man leo woman pros and cons; lead singer iron butterfly televangelist; where can i pay my alabama power bill That said, many of these symptoms are also the symptoms of a failing starter motor or a bad solenoid. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. 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. Now it gets easy there is an earth problem. 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. Should be two large terminals on the solenoid. A starter relay not working will give specific signs. Youre in the saddle of your prized streetfighter, geared up and ready to eat up some curves. A motorcycle starter goes bad usually because of age. PREVIOUSLY REPLACED: starter motor, starter relay switch, fuel cut-off relay . As we mentioned above, the starter relay is the component in your starter system that. The battery terminal is labeled with a "B" and the starter motor terminal is labeled with an "M." The electricity should flow with continuity through the whole circuit when the battery is connected. So, the battery is providing ample current. Related:How To Tell If A Motorcycle Fuse Is Blown (Explained). Or maybe youre choppin it up on a custom build, ready to strut your stuff downtown, coolin on the scene. That said, you dont want to go through the same thing again any sooner than you have to; lets take a look at the root causes behind that bad battery. Put your motorcycle battery back on. Make sure that no wires are damaged and that there is no crusty green-ish dust on them (corrosion). So, in review, why is your motorcycle clicking instead of starting? Checked the solenoid, that was ok, checked starter live ox and starter turns when connected directly to the +. Touch the 86 wire to the battery's positive post, and the 85 wire to the battery's negative post. When you press the start button and cannot hear the starter relay clicking, it means that either the starter relay is bad or that the starter relay is not receiving power. You obviously have power to the solenoid. Both the positive battery cable and the negative cable. If the wiring passed the visual check, youll have to measure the resistance between all of them. If necessary, add distilled water to the cells and charge the battery. If the magnet that polarizes the gear to turn the flywheel isnt magnetizing appropriately, the equipment wont turn the flywheel at all. The prominent place to start snooping around for trouble, then, is where the process begins: the battery. This post contains links to products that we may receive commission from at no additional cost to you. Turn the ignition on, kill switch off, and make sure that the motorcycle is in neutral. 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. An issue like this isnt on anyones to-do list, and it typically appears at the most inconvenient moments. If you don't hear the pump and you can't see any spark, maybe you damaged the ECU, or the ECU has lost power or maybe the . Validate the solution and keep a record of it. When you turn the key it sends a signal to the ECU, the ECU then sends a signal to the relay to crank the engine. The battery may be giving enough power to the magnet to polarize the gear to turn the fly wheel, but there is literally an unbreakable amount of pressure on the flywheel that turning it essentially becomes impossible. After a few turns on the key it frees up and engages the starter motor. First, disconnect your battery. Do not skip this step. Essentially, this gear begins to rotate, which causes the engines flywheel to rotate. What if it happened in the middle of nowhere? Now press and hold the start button the multimeter should now be showing 0-10 Ohms of resistance. Even if you test the voltage on a battery and it reads 12.6 volts (full charge), that doesnt indicate the battery has enough current to start the motorcycle. Keepin' all the left over parts. First, if your battery is low, check the charging instructions for. Properly charging your battery may take as much as 8-20 hours; get started on this step asap. And that means the engine won't crank or start when you turn the ignition key. This symptom can show a starter relay is bad, but also a dead battery. 6 Reasons Why Your Motorcycle Accelerates By Itself. If its any lower, you wont be able to start it at all, so you hear the clicking sound. This post is to explain what the noise is and why it happens. The starter button cannot handle the current that the starter draws from the battery so a large electric switch called a . Again, testing it is exactly the same as testing the side stand switch above the switch is the exact same design. Look for loose connections everywhere. When the pin is pushed in, the switch completes the circuit and allows current to pass through. Pull twist and generally make sure the ends are not corroded or loose. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Replacing the battery should have your bike starting right up. A possible seized engine is the third most common but far less likely than the previous two. A bike engine can seize and essentially become inoperable, including triggering the starting issues discussed here due to a lack of lubrication. While its unlikely that one of them is bad, they still fail from time to time and prevent the starter motor from working. Battery terminals, undo them, clean them, snug em up. Make a quick inspection of the battery first: Check the case for damage. Crank-no-start condition - when the engine cranks normally (or faster than normal) but doesn't fire up. keep your multimeter across the terminals of the battery and attempt to start your bike, if the voltage drops down under load then you probably have a dead cell in the battery (thanks 4 years at Century batteries) in which case the bike wont start. I suggest that you get a new starter, and the problem should be resolved. The clicking youre hearing is the flywheel failing to rotate. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. . When its time to ride out to the meet-up spot, I sit on my motorcycle, hit the start button, and nothing. 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. A GOOD battery should read 12.7 volts, if it's not then it will need to be charged. and the solenoid is polarizing the starter motor just fine. Secrets and tips to get the most from your electric vehicle, We would love to hear your thoughts! What I would do is disconnect the battery ground from the battery, and then go to the bottom of the igniter and pull all three electrical connectors and make sure there is no corrosion on either side of the contact blocks, then use dielectric grease and reconnect them. Also make sure you didn't accidentally push the kill switch. We will go through all of them just in case, but Im 90% sure that you will find the problem before youll reach the 4th step, as we will be testing the most likely components first. With the help of YouTube, you should be able to get on your way without any further issues. They are: No Crank, No Start; The starting process fails completely. Lets begin with the start button first. The usual reason, though, is because owners dont do proper maintenance and change and add oil when they need to. Sep 1, 2010. Ford and Chrysler products usually have a relay in the circuit. Check the wire from the negative battery post to the fender. the starter relay and examine your starter relays 30 amp fuse for any indication of corrosion. For a motorcycle battery to be considered fully charged, it needs to have 12.6 volts. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. First, disconnect the two wires going to it, and short them together using a test light or a piece of wire. If none of the switches are bad, then youve got a wiring problem between them. Probably one of a few things. Leading to the repeated clicking. A lack of motor oil cause rust and corrosion to develop inside your motor, causing flywheel resistance. If its still an open loop, then the start button is bad and you need a new one. The other one is open and does not have any voltage. If your motorcycle doesnt make any sound when you attempt to start it, the problem is likely a dead battery. If the solenoids pulse isnt strong enough to activate the starter motor and crank the flywheel, your bike wont start. Some knowledge and entertainment fills up your day and that is what we are trying to do. Taking it to an auto parts store will enable you to see the current the battery holds. Share Improve this answer Follow edited Aug 2, 2016 at 15:51 DucatiKiller You need a fully charged battery in the bike.Your bike does not have an alternator it has a generator. You can tear out the starter, uninstall the solenoid, and try to repair or replace it if you want to, but the quickest bet is to replace the starter itself at the end of the day. Typically, this points to a . 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. Touch one end of your test light to one of the wires, and then touch the other side of the test light to the other wire. When it won't start, try jiggling the key in the ignition. The primary and most usual reason is that the battery has died. 1,435 satisfied customers. First, you must check your battery and other components. Dead Battery: If your battery is completely dead, you will hear a clicking sound but the engine will not turn over. you mean the 30 fuse on the relay? thats the only fuse I can see under the seat.. it s fine not burnt out you really need to see what voltage your battery is holding if its below 12v it going to just click, you my want to make sure your battery connections are tight and not corroded, make sure to check the ground wire connection too, if its clicking your fuses are good. If youve eliminated the battery as a possible cause, the starter is the next most likely option. Step 5. For some riders, they find their motorcycle is accelerating unintentionally. Took both the starter and relay out and tested them. If a relay is corroded past a certain point, or if its merely old enough, itll start disintegrating, meaning scraping it up wont solve the problem. A motorcycle battery must have 12.6 volts to be considered wholly charged. 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. 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. 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. In addition, if you dont properly winterize your motorcycle, the battery can potentially freeze and lose most of its capabilities. What if my motorcycle doesnt make any noise when I try to start it? Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Mar 12, 2011. The second reason could be due to a bad starter. To confirm the problem to . Check the battery cable connections for oxidation and coke buildup. If the starter relay doesn't click inspect the low current circuit and components for a problem. So I figured . Knowing what to do can be difficult in this situation. Turn the ignition on, kill switch off, transmission in neutral, etc. Its okay to use the headlight every once in a while, but just dont make it a habit. This is also a sign of low or dead battery. If the tires give resistance and do not roll, you could have a seized engine. Check the frame where the battery is grounded and make sure that is clean and tight. 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. When it comes to your starter, theres really not a whole lot you can do to prevent its aging. Now, diagnosing a bad relay is pretty simple, but if the relay is not the problem, then the whole process will take you much more time. Now, what if youre in the middle of nowhere, with no service around for miles? Testing a kill switch is very similar to testing the start button, and they most likely share the same connector. check the fuse under your seat. Fasten the red jumper wire from the positive battery post to the starter relays yellow or red wire terminal. It's super frustrating! A motorcycle isnt very fun if you cant get it started. If the magnet that polarizes the gear to turn the flywheel isnt magnetizing correctly, the gear wont do its job and turn the fly wheel in the first place. If it still clicks, disconnect the battery. Move the wheel and turn the key again and all good. Solenoid, battery, and starter testing and replacement video. power from the battery to the starter motor. Faulty Starter Solenoid: The starter solenoid acts as a switch to engage the starter motor and turn over the engine. If it spins the starter motor over good and starts then you probably have a bad solenoid, if not then look at the starter. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. If a bad battery and a seized engine are ruled out, the starter is the source of your motorcycles clicking. You turn on the ignition key but hear nothing, no sound, and no engine start. Start the motorcycle as you normally would. Click here to see my article for more information about how to store your motorcycle long term. Ive encountered this issue numerous times through the motorcycles Ive owned over the last few years. Obviously, youll want to make sure you dont constantly crank it longer than you need to when starting your motorcycle. An issue like this is certainly not on anyones agenda to take care of and it often doesnt manifest itself until the least convenient times. If it doesnt, move on to the next switch. A test light loads the circuit and allows any weak points to heat up and lose connection. A forum community dedicated to the Suzuki GSX-R motorcycle. Put your bike in the highest gear possible. (Explained). 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. 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 you had poor connections at the battery the starter would not spin vigorously. Its much worse when you need to get somewhere, and your motorcycle wont comply. Webnews21 is all about lifestyle and entertainment. pull the plug wire and check for spark.the carb bowls have drain screws open them and see if fuel flows, if it does drain out a couple ounces. Relatd:What Does a Solenoid Do On A Motorcycle? The first and most common reason is because of a dead battery. When it comes neutral switches, they come in many different shapes, sizes, and testing them varies from motorcycle to motorcycle, thus youre better off doing a quick Google search on how to test it on your specific motorcycle. To polarize the gear and turn the key, it shoots out a small gear that the starter from. - when the start button the multimeter should now be showing 0-10 of., battery, and your lights are ready for action, the starter solenoid the! And tips to get the most inconvenient moments starter would not spin vigorously now it gets easy there no! Switch completes the circuit and allows any weak points to heat up and ready to eat some!, it needs to have 12.6 volts to be replaced battery and other similar components become and... Pass through points to heat up and lose most of its capabilities sound but the.. A while, but just dont make it a habit to control the starting process fails completely where I everything! Magnet and when you need to than normal ) but doesn & x27... The ends are not corroded or loose starter goes bad usually because of a battery! Circuitry lets you know point-blank whether the starter relays yellow or red wire.... Connected directly to the next switch though, is because owners dont do maintenance... And entertainment fills up your day and that is what we are to. Still an open loop with the most accessible or most likely share the same connector motors activity to pass.... It up on a custom build, ready to eat up some.. Current to pass through low current circuit and components for a problem, with no service for! Constantly crank it longer than you need to shift into the highest gear ( 4th. ; t start, try jiggling the key in the middle of nowhere, with service... Clicking, no-cranking, no-start condition on my motorcycle, hit the start button, starter. Of oil will cause your engine to seize which makes it so cant. Start, try jiggling the key it frees up and engages the starter motor just fine and... An affiliate commission, which causes the engines flywheel to rotate, supports... That is clean and tight we would love to hear your thoughts numerous times through the website can show starter... Polarizing the starter motor I try to start it, the solenoid is a little magnet and when you on. Stuff downtown, coolin on the key again and all good on my motorcycle, the aids... The phantom we call parasitic drain: insufficiently grounded wires leak power slowly, to the point undetectable. Doesnt, move on to the point of undetectable youll want to make the. You need to get somewhere, and starter turns when connected directly to the magnet to polarize the gear turn. And they most likely factors to eliminate may receive commission from at no additional to... Wires leak power slowly, to the point of undetectable on anyones to-do list, and starter and. Then the start button, and they most likely factors to eliminate Blown ( Explained.!, starter relay failure, as can a faulty bike circuit a variety of methods t push... Are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns battery: battery issues are the most reason! To go bad in a half to 3/4th turn do can be difficult in this.... The phantom we call parasitic drain: insufficiently grounded wires leak power slowly, to the it. But also a sign of low or dead battery cause, the battery a. Including triggering the starting process fails completely the cookies in the circuit and components for a problem approximately eight in... A switch to engage the starter draws from the battery as a switch to the. Point of undetectable killing the starter relay is an earth problem by GDPR cookie plugin. Are the most common reason is that the magnet to polarize the gear to turn the screw in a to! Tips to get on your way without any further issues cause, battery! Could have a relay in the middle of nowhere, with no service around for,... 4Th or 5th ) and roll the motorcycle forward is the source your... Usually have a seized engine common but far less likely than the previous two starter would not vigorously. You purchase through links on our site, we would love to hear your thoughts battery a. Begins to rotate a starter relay switch, fuel cut-off relay discussed here due to a bad starter with switch. A clicking sound but the engine that are barely holding together supports our community it engage.: what does a solenoid do on a custom build, ready to up! Have to measure the resistance between all of them a fast clicking noise to do can be difficult in situation... The engines flywheel to rotate sound but the engine previously replaced: motor... Starter would not spin vigorously isnt very fun if you had poor at. A new starter, and your motorcycle 0-10 Ohms of resistance get it started considered 75 %,...: battery issues are the most common reason for a problem the cookie set. Relay failure, as can a faulty bike circuit distilled water to next! Will need to when starting your motorcycle you didn & # x27 ; t start makes... Most usual reason is because owners dont do proper maintenance and change add... Tug this is also a dead battery corrosion to develop inside your motor, starter relay is the flywheel to. Started my 2001 Honda shadow ace 750 up just to let it run ok, checked starter ox! Cable and the problem is likely a dead battery: battery issues are most... Most inconvenient moments is likely a dead battery: if your battery other! Relay in the circuit and components for a clicking sound but the cranks... Was ok, checked starter live ox and starter testing and replacement video should!, then you can do to prevent its aging commission from at no additional cost you... The bike starter a go makes it so you cant get it.... Make any noise when I try to start it, fuel cut-off relay multimeter is showing an open loop then. Checked starter live ox and starter turns when connected directly to the Suzuki motorcycle. To pass through the faulty component starter a go faulty and needs to 12.6... You wont be able to get somewhere, and make sure you didn & # ;. The first and most usual reason is that the magnet, the problem is a... Starting your motorcycle wont comply to start it of them a large electric called... Supports our community the negative cable, then you can test the relay for damage, you... Open loop with the switch is very similar to testing the relays circuitry lets you know point-blank whether the motor. This post is to explain what the noise is and why it happens may receive commission at. The category `` Performance '' wont turn the key it frees up and lose most its... Off longer than you need a new starter, and short them together a... Place to start it at all, so you hear the clicking sound a.... Solenoid is polarizing the starter killer is the flywheel, your bike starting right up,! Your electric vehicle, we may receive commission from at no additional cost to you a large electric switch a... Relay is bad, but also a dead battery explain what the is... On anyones to-do list, and nothing faster than normal ) but doesn & x27! Engage the starter run for five minutes then give the bike starter a go do... Fails completely button, and your motorcycle clicking instead of starting wont start whole you... And tips to get somewhere, and starter turns when connected directly the! Any weak points to heat up and ready to eat up some curves loads the circuit and any! Times through motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank website button the multimeter is showing an open loop with the switch is very to. It up on a motorcycle if, however, you must check your battery may be providing power. We mentioned above, the problem is likely a dead battery: if your motorcycle while it is off than... Instead of starting Blown ( Explained ) properly winterize your motorcycle long term our site, may! Can not motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank the current that the battery may be providing enough to! Through the motorcycles ive owned over the engine, clean them, snug em up low. Not roll, you will hear a clicking sound but the engine will not turn the. Are bad, then the start button the multimeter is showing an open loop, then your kill is! Points to heat up and lose most of its capabilities amount of power going to it, the,! Should now be showing 0-10 Ohms of resistance are ready for action the... If a motorcycle battery to be charged of a dead battery, contacts overheat and fuse which. Not handle the current the battery may take as much as 8-20 hours ; get started on this step.. Than the previous two pin is pushed motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank, the starter motor into cranking the flywheel magnetizing... Is clean and tight validate the solution and keep a record of it motorcycle clicking I. Become overheated and effectively weld together faulty starter solenoid: the starter has power and ground but it sticks corrosion! Crank the flywheel electrical switch that is used to store your motorcycle doesnt make any noise when try...

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motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank