Bike doesn't start - No ignition just the "click"

[andreas_boman@hotmail.com]

Hi guys,

I've run into a bit of a problem. My bike won't start.
Yesterday I was out a while just cruising without any trouble. Later on I decided to change rear light and fix my fender. Everything was running smoothly and it still started after the rear light change.

As I started the bike a last time something clicked, and it was not possible to start it any more. To this, I might have ignited the front light when trying to start. Today I tried to charge the bat. but it wasn't it. And now when trying to start the bike, this thing just clicks...

Anyone that knows what it is and maybe why? Also, how to fix it. I'm clueless...

 

[Nebr_Rex]

That is your starer relay switch.
It will click when there is not enough
power in the battery for the starter to spin the engine.


.

 

[MotorbikeBruno]

That is your starer relay switch.
It will click when there is not enough
power in the battery for the starter to spin the engine.


.

Yup, what this guy says ^^^

So...steps to check things out.

Check battery connections, clean up old crusty ones first.
Charge battery up. Not for 1 hour, but on a trickle charger for MANY hours to give it a fighting chance at life again.
Get a Voltmeter/gauge so you can verify that you ARE in fact charging the battery when the bike DOES fire up again, if not, you have a charging issue (reg/rec or stator)

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

If your battery power is good, but it still just clicks, the starter solenoid itself could have failed. Try shorting across the two big terminals on the relay (solenoid) with a screwdriver and see if that engages the starter.

 

[MotorbikeBruno]

If your battery power is good, but it still just clicks, the starter solenoid itself could have failed. Try shorting across the two big terminals on the relay (solenoid) with a screwdriver and see if that engages the starter.

Good point as well ADC.

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

Also, a bad connection at either end of either positive cables that go from the battery to the solenoid, or the solenoid to the starter... or the ground could also cause the "Click".
The solenoid is really a relay as stated, so it uses switched voltage from the small gauge wires to actuate and make the connections for the larger gauge positive wires. You may have sufficient connections for the small amperage side but not well enough for the larger capacity the starter motor would draw.

 

[andreas_boman@hotmail.com]

That is your starer relay switch.
It will click when there is not enough
power in the battery for the starter to spin the engine.


.

I've checked the bat. and charged it for 20h. Also tried with boat bat. 12v. and doesn't work. So there is no problem with the bat. it should be the relay switch itself or something else?

 

[andreas_boman@hotmail.com]

Yup, what this guy says ^^^

So...steps to check things out.

Check battery connections, clean up old crusty ones first.
Charge battery up. Not for 1 hour, but on a trickle charger for MANY hours to give it a fighting chance at life again.
Get a Voltmeter/gauge so you can verify that you ARE in fact charging the battery when the bike DOES fire up again, if not, you have a charging issue (reg/rec or stator)

Charged the bat. for about 20h. and it have 13 or something V. after charging. After this, the clicking continues. the start engine is not helping out at all. I can just hear the clicking, and this is just 1/3 of the times when I try. Either it clicks, or it's just silent..

 

[andreas_boman@hotmail.com]

If your battery power is good, but it still just clicks, the starter solenoid itself could have failed. Try shorting across the two big terminals on the relay (solenoid) with a screwdriver and see if that engages the starter.

Ok. sounds fair. If the solenoid have failed. Is this something that have to be changed, or is it just a switch? Also, how would you recommend to shorting? Just use the screwdriver between the terminals as you said? Don't really see how.

 

[andreas_boman@hotmail.com]

Also, a bad connection at either end of either positive cables that go from the battery to the solenoid, or the solenoid to the starter... or the ground could also cause the "Click".
The solenoid is really a relay as stated, so it uses switched voltage from the small gauge wires to actuate and make the connections for the larger gauge positive wires. You may have sufficient connections for the small amperage side but not well enough for the larger capacity the starter motor would draw.

The weird thing is that the solenoid hasn't been touched for at least 1yr. I wonder why the clicking started.

So you mean that the Voltage is to low from the bat? or is there a connection problem?

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

The weird thing is that the solenoid hasn't been touched for at least 1yr. I wonder why the clicking started.

So you mean that the Voltage is to low from the bat? or is there a connection problem?

It normally clicks, you just can't hear it when the starter engages. But since your starter isn't turning over the engine, you are only hearing the "click". You already established the battery is ok with 13V. You don't have to touch a solenoid for it to go bad... or a connection get corrosion and not allow large amounts of amperage to flow.

 

[Nebr_Rex]

Check all your connections to make sure you have clean metal to metal
contact. If you have a multi-meter you can use that without taking thing apart.
If that all checks out it's your relay.


.

 

[andreas_boman@hotmail.com]

I've now used a multi-meter and checked the bat. (13V), the connection between the two terminals on the solenoid (13V). I've also used a screwdriver between the two terminals on the solenoid, created a spark (so it worked), but the bike didn't start. The solenoid doesn't click at all, and the bike still doesn't start.

One cable goes from the solenoid into the engine without any stops (I guess next stop starter engine..?).

Since I've connected the terminals without any luck, might the starter be the problem? Haven't found any loose cables or mounts.. To this I have to add that the controls from the speedo is loose, but I don't see how they are connected..

 

[Bert Jan]

with the screwdriver method, did the bike turn over?

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

So you have 13v available.
You jumped across the solenoid as you've shown and got sparks but no cranking.
The cable that goes from there "into the engine without any stops" is going to the starter positive terminal (it will look like a threaded stud coming out of the starter case). Put your positive lead on that post on the starter motor (not the cable end, but actually on the post itself) and negative meter lead on the battery negative post. Push the starter button and see you are getting +12V all the way to the starter. If not, work back to the cable and find where you are loosing it, clean your connection and retest.
If you do chances are it's starter motor, but before spending $100+ on a starter, I'd verify you can turn the engine over by hand... Put the bike on it's center stand, in high gear and use the rear wheel to rotate the engine. You may have to pull the spark plugs.
Just want to make sure it's not a mechanical reason the engine is not turning over. For example, a carbs float valve could have stuck open and if the intake valve was open as well as leaving the petcock on you may have hydro-locked a cylinder... I'm reaching here, but you're clear across the internet and we want to cover all the bases.

 

[andreas_boman@hotmail.com]

So you have 13v available.
You jumped across the solenoid as you've shown and got sparks but no cranking.
The cable that goes from there "into the engine without any stops" is going to the starter positive terminal (it will look like a threaded stud coming out of the starter case). Put your positive lead on that post on the starter motor (not the cable end, but actually on the post itself) and negative meter lead on the battery negative post. Push the starter button and see you are getting +12V all the way to the starter. If not, work back to the cable and find where you are loosing it, clean your connection and retest.
If you do chances are it's starter motor, but before spending $100+ on a starter, I'd verify you can turn the engine over by hand... Put the bike on it's center stand, in high gear and use the rear wheel to rotate the engine. You may have to pull the spark plugs.
Just want to make sure it's not a mechanical reason the engine is not turning over. For example, a carbs float valve could have stuck open and if the intake valve was open as well as leaving the petcock on you may have hydro-locked a cylinder... I'm reaching here, but you're clear across the internet and we want to cover all the bases.

Thanks a lot! The cable to the starter was loose in some way but now it works!! Nice troubleshooting. Really appreciate it!

 

[Hoosier Daddy]