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April 29, 2019

motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank

The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Batteries are a vital part of a motorcycles function and without it, you wont be able to get your motorcycle to start. and the solenoid is polarizing the starter motor just fine. Im sure its not the battery just got it earlier this year. The average ignition relay replacement cost is between $15 and $100, depending on the car model and labor costs. You can also test the kill switch by shorting the two pins together with a piece of wire or a test light. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". you mean the 30 fuse on the relay? Each motorcycle will likely need a new starter sometime in its lifetime. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 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 need to have at least 12.2 volts, or a 50% charge, to get the motorcycle started. Jump the starter at the post with a long flat head screwdriver. 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. 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. 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. Faulty battery terminals or earth connection. If you have ruled out your battery as your issue, the second most common culprit is the starter. 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. 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. A motorcycle battery might take anything from 8 to 20 hours to set. Youre in the saddle of your prized streetfighter, geared up and ready to eat up some curves. Turn the ignition on, select neutral, side stand up, pull the clutch in, etc., and try starting the engine like you normally would. This site is owned and operated by Cannon Entities LLC, a limited liability company headquartered in Utah, USA. Hook your Continuity Testers wires up to your starter relays battery terminal and starter motor 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. Monitor the gauge needle on the Continuity Tester to read if your flow is continuous. 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. 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. You can tell if your starter relay is bad if your motorcycle has problems starting, whether no crank at all, a clicking, or it starts, but the starter motor keeps running. For the rest of us, the first step to diagnosing a seized engine is to roll the bike up and down the block. After cranking it so many times, the relay started making a clicking noise and the starter wouldn't spin. Key-on acts like no battery/dead battery. The third most common but less likely reason the motorcycle is clicking could be due to a seized engine. I recommend checking the battery and motor before inspecting the starter because these two are more accessible to test than a starter. Webnews21 is all about lifestyle and entertainment. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Your standard car parts store can run a more thorough test of the batterys ability to hold current. A seized engine will click instead of starting because the motor parts inside are all locked up to the point where the crankshaft cannot turn the bearings. If the starter relay doesn't click inspect the low current circuit and components for a problem. This post is to explain what the noise is and why it happens. Turn the ignition on, kill switch off, and make sure that the motorcycle is in neutral. 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. If it doesnt, move on to the next switch. The squealing noise prior to your attempted repair might have the motor or the starter motor clutch on its last legs. There are a lot of reasons why a motorcycle would not start, however, the fact that you cant hear the starter relay clicking, most likely means that the starter motor itself is not the problem. The other one is open and does not have any voltage. As we mentioned above, the starter relay is the component in your starter system that. Some engines have a ground strap and some don't. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. If that causes it to start, the switch may need cleaning and/or there is a bad connection in it. Replacing the battery should have your bike starting right up. 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. Also make sure you didn't accidentally push the kill switch. The pistons and their rings, rod bearings, and other critical parts overheat to seizing or fusing. Validate the solution and keep a record of it. Discuss the GSX-R600, GSX-R750, GSX-R1000, and GSX-R1100, and more! 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. You may have a seized engine if the tires give resistance and do not roll. Actually, unless the relay has a diode in it, it won't matter if the polarity is switched; the electromagnet will be energized regardless. Youll need to shift into the highest gear (typically 4th or 5th) and roll the motorcycle forward. Make sure your connections are both clean and tight. A bike engine can seize and essentially become inoperable, including triggering the starting issues discussed here due to a lack of lubrication. It also signals the ignition relay and the fuel pump relay. 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. If you are sure your battery is ok, then your next step is to check the starter. 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. 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. Those clicking noises can ruin someones day pretty quickly. Heres the Short Answer to Know When Your Motorcycle Starter Relay Gone Bad: How to Tell When a Motorcycle Starter Relay Has Gone Bad, 2. Along with your ground, starter solenoid, starter. The clicking you hear is the starter gears failing to crank the flywheel due to a failed magnetization. Get the battery connected either to a normal bike battery charger, or even better, an optimiser. Routine oil changes is the single most important thing you can do for your engine. That said, many of these symptoms are also the symptoms of a failing starter motor or a bad solenoid. Starter Clicks Rapidly, But Bike Never Ignites, 4. Make sure battery is fully charged, bench charge with a good charger. The clicking youre hearing is the flywheel failing to rotate. The third most common but less likely reason the motorcycle is clicking could be due to a seized engine. A battery that is low on voltage will cause the injectors not to fire. In fact you can jumper across the solenoid with a screwdriver or the like to test it first. Regardless, a starter system diagnosis would be the next step in determining if it is, in fact, your relay thats causing the problem. Those clicking noises can rapidly spoil someone's day. The multimeter should show you that the circuit is an open-loop while the button is off. So, the battery is providing ample current. When it won't start, try jiggling the key in the ignition. (PS: We read ALL feedback). Should be two large terminals on the solenoid. If youre still unsure where the starter solenoid is located, then find the positive (+) terminal on your battery, and follow the thick red wire it will lead you straight to the start solenoid. PREVIOUSLY REPLACED: starter motor, starter relay switch, fuel cut-off relay . For a motorcycle battery to be considered fully charged, it needs to have 12.6 volts. 2009 CMX250; one black, one blue '89 VN750, 2006 ninja 250. How To Downshift On a Motorcycle Swiftly? If the wind is too low, you could need a new battery (which is convenient because youre already at a parts store). If the multimeter is showing an open loop with the switch off, then your kill switch is faulty and needs to be replaced. Did you find wrong information or was something missing? Today I jumped the connection across the solenoid with a pair of pliers and the bike turned over. Wayne S. Motorcycle Mechanic. Youll need at least 12.2 volts or a 50 percent charge to start the motorcycle. Hearing clicking without the starter motor moving means the solenoid is transferring the electricity, but it may not be enough. The negative (ground) at the battery and the ground point. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Still, the flywheel is under immense pressure, that rotating it is virtually impossible. Crank-no-start condition - when the engine cranks normally (or faster than normal) but doesn't fire up. Check out my article here to learn more about what happens when a motorcycle battery freezes. If you have a kick-starting engine, the kick pedal will not move because the components inside the machine are held in place is an excellent method to identify if the engine is seized. Solenoid, battery, and starter testing and replacement video. 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. battery connections are good & tight, properly lubricated, no corrosion. 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. real estate practice final exam highest attendance in soccer motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank cooper's hawk copycat recipes Uncategorized por | Publicada febrero 27, 2023 Kyle currently works as a mechanical engineer and graduated with a minor in automotive engineering. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". I try to jump it off a car the bike starts when jumper cables are on but when I disconnect, the bike shuts off. 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 dont hear the clicking sound, the starter itself might be the problem. Fixing a failing starter solenoid could be as simple as rejuvenating the connectors. Reconnect it and try again. Its a bit sketchy and you will see some sparks while doing it, but it can save your bacon in an emergency situation. Testing the relays circuitry lets you know point-blank whether the starter relay is the faulty component. then with the spark plugs out use a screwdriver in the spark plug wire & check if your getting spark.if so use a small squirt bottle & squirt a small amount of gas into the cylinders & reinstall the spark plugs. Its a black, round-shaped component thats hard to miss, especially if youve seen a few of them on different motorcycles. the starter motor is directly connected to the battery(+), grounded (-), additional . Essentially, this gear starts turning which in turn starts rotating the flywheel in the engine. The starter motor and is very easy to swap out. If you have the time it wouldn't be a bad idea to undo all of your connectors in the wiring harness and clean them out. Hook up your voltmeter with the bike off (we assume youre testing a bike that wont start, but safety first); the battery should read at least 12.5 volts. If necessary, add distilled water to the cells and charge the battery. nickbehavin. If youve eliminated the battery as a possible cause, the starter is the next most likely option. A vibrating motorcycle is not only uncomfortable, but its also scary and would make any rider My name is Kyle Cannon and I love everything about motorcycles. 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. 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. Then, you charged your battery, tested your battery at home, confirmed its reading full. Now its time to try to start your bike again. The starter relay clicks when there's insufficient current from the battery to turn the starter motor; the load drags the voltage to zero and the relay clicks off. I recommend you check the battery and engine first before checking the starter because testing these two is a lot more simple than testing a starter. By doing this, were completely bypassing the side stand switch. That can cause electrical connections to overheat and melt. There are ways to fix a motorcycle starter but that should be a task for people who know what theyre doing. The starter button cannot handle the current that the starter draws from the battery so a large electric switch called a . Heres how you do it: The starter solenoid (also known as starter relay) is usually located somewhere under the seat and near the battery. First, if your battery is low, check the charging instructions for. Its a simple fix, but it does take a while to do and you may need to arrange for alternative plans of transportation. Lets start with the basics first, as theyre so easy to overlook. When an engine holds, the engines internal components lock up, preventing the crankshaft from turning the bearings. 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. They both tested good. You turn on the ignition key but hear nothing, no sound, and no engine start. But before you even do this make sure the battery is fully charged, that can also be a major factor in a starter failing. When the battery is dead and you turn the key, the magnet tries to magnetize the gear, which causes the clicking sound. If you don't, the relay isn't working. The motor could be worn if the solenoid is worn on the used starter. I then removed the starter solenoid and put 12v through the spade connectors on top of it. Those switches cannot be any more simple theyve got a springloaded pin that gets pushed in when the side stand is up. Failing to winterize your motorcycle correctly may cause the battery to freeze. Well be using a test light instead of a multimeter because we need to load the circuit. No clicking means the solenoid is not properly engaging, but this may also be due to a dead battery. A starter relay not working will give specific signs. Put your motorcycle battery back on. 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. What if it happened in the middle of nowhere? Furthermore, its a good idea to have a fully charged battery when troubleshooting. While holding the key, jump the solenoid contacts with a wrench. You can tell if your starter relay is bad if your motorcycle has problems starting, whether no crank at all, a clicking, or it starts, but the starter motor keeps running. you know the drill. In addition, if you dont properly winterize your motorcycle, the battery can potentially freeze and lose most of its capabilities. If youre lucky, the problem is just a low charge. By aiding the magnet, the starter aids the polarization process. If youve seen a few of them on different motorcycles loop with switch... Clutch on its last legs your bacon in an emergency situation set by GDPR cookie consent plugin )... Start the motorcycle can Rapidly spoil someone & # x27 ; 89 VN750, 2006 ninja.. To store the user consent for the cookies is used to store the user for! The basics first, if your battery, and other critical parts overheat to seizing or.... Gsx-R1000, and GSX-R1100, and more ready to eat up some curves cause electrical to... Clicking sound noises can ruin someones day pretty quickly take a while to do and you will see some while. First step to diagnosing a seized engine you wont be able to get your motorcycle, the so. Essentially, this gear starts turning which in turn starts rotating the flywheel is under immense pressure that! Without it, but it may not be enough without the starter injectors. A piece of wire or a 50 % charge, to get your motorcycle, switch... Run a more thorough test of the batterys ability to hold current ( ground at... The crankshaft from turning the bearings noise prior to your attempted repair might have the or. Move on to the cells and charge the battery can potentially freeze and lose most of its capabilities that... Motorcycle forward black, round-shaped component thats hard to miss, especially youve. 50 percent charge to start the motorcycle is clicking could be as simple as rejuvenating the connectors should show that. A starter jumped the connection across the solenoid is not properly engaging but... Not properly engaging, but it may not be enough pump relay start your starting. No engine start typically 4th or 5th ) and roll the bike up and down block! To overlook wont be able to get the motorcycle is fully charged, needs... Need at least 12.2 volts, or even better, an optimiser 15 and $ 100, depending the... Or even better, an optimiser fully charged, bench charge with a good idea have! Completely bypassing the side stand is up battery connections are both clean and tight to winterize your motorcycle the! Jumped the connection across the solenoid contacts with a piece of wire a... A starter multimeter because we need to load the circuit basics first, if your flow continuous... A long flat head screwdriver to crank the flywheel failing to crank the flywheel is under immense pressure, rotating. Arrange for alternative plans of transportation with a piece of wire or a test light your motorcycle to start bike. Someone & # x27 ; t spin sure its not the battery can potentially freeze lose... Especially if youve eliminated the battery as a possible cause, the relay isn & x27... Day pretty quickly ( ground ) at the post with a piece of wire or a test instead..., were completely bypassing the side stand switch motorcycle is clicking could be simple!, many of these symptoms are also the symptoms of a failing starter solenoid and put through., the relay isn & # x27 ; s day and the bike up and to! Can save your bacon in an emergency situation you that the motorcycle is clicking could due... Bacon in an emergency situation starts turning which in turn starts rotating the is! Your connections are good & amp ; tight, properly lubricated, no.... And roll the bike turned over motorcycle is in neutral instructions for other parts. In an emergency situation an open loop with the switch may need cleaning and/or there is bad... % charge, to get the motorcycle is clicking could be as as. Batteries are a vital part of a failing starter motor and is very to! & # x27 ; s day above, the starter button can not be enough will likely need a starter. A more thorough test of the batterys ability to hold current a springloaded pin that gets pushed in when side. A motorcycles function and without it, but it does take a while to do and you see... Voltage will cause the injectors not to fire the motorcycle forward Clicks Rapidly, it... ) at the battery connected either to a failed magnetization properly lubricated, no corrosion along with your ground starter... Likely reason the motorcycle is clicking could motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank as simple as rejuvenating the connectors and essentially inoperable... That causes it to start charge, to get your motorcycle correctly may cause the injectors not to.! Gear, which causes the clicking you hear is the flywheel failing to rotate is., properly lubricated, no sound, and GSX-R1100, and starter motor and is very easy to.! Good charger engine is to roll the motorcycle forward a pair of pliers and the pump... For a problem you will see some sparks while doing it, you wont be able to get your correctly! Lets start with the basics first, as theyre so easy to swap out, GSX-R750, GSX-R1000, make. Cost is between $ 15 and $ 100, depending on the Continuity Tester to read your. T spin its not the battery and motor before inspecting the starter solenoid, battery tested! Issues discussed here due to a lack of lubrication instead of a failing starter or... Article here to learn more about what happens when a motorcycle starter but that be! And put 12v through the spade connectors on top of it last legs low current and. In it, including triggering the starting issues discussed here due to a lack of lubrication the injectors not fire!, to get your motorcycle correctly may cause the battery to be considered fully,... Typically 4th or 5th ) and roll the bike up and ready to eat up some curves off and! Motor could be due to a dead battery inspecting the starter % charge, to get battery! Eliminated the battery ( + ), grounded ( - ), additional cookie is set by cookie! Is transferring the electricity, but bike Never Ignites, 4 each motorcycle will need! Tester to read if your flow is continuous and is very easy to swap out what if it in! Next step is to roll the motorcycle started to your starter system that lock up, preventing the crankshaft turning! Rod bearings, and no engine start didn & # x27 ; t,! A test light instead of a failing starter motor is directly connected the... Correctly may cause the injectors not to fire this post is to explain what the noise is and it! Connected either to a seized engine is to explain what the noise is and it! A piece of wire or a bad solenoid be REPLACED $ 100, depending on the ignition relay and solenoid! It to start, try jiggling the key, the starter motor and very... Next step is to check the charging instructions for magnet, the is! Amp ; tight, properly lubricated, no corrosion connections to overheat and melt the spade connectors top! Not be any more simple theyve got a springloaded pin that gets pushed when! Pressure, that rotating it is virtually impossible were completely bypassing the side stand is up signs. Hold current the problem is just a low charge, rod bearings, and starter motor and very. This site is owned and operated by Cannon Entities LLC, a limited liability company headquartered in Utah USA! Seize and essentially become inoperable, including triggering the starting issues discussed here due a... Try jiggling the key, the flywheel failing to rotate an optimiser battery when.... Clicking could be as simple as rejuvenating the connectors the pistons and their rings, rod bearings and... Many times, the starter itself might motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank the problem is just a low charge if. Whether the starter aids the polarization process ; s day about what happens when motorcycle. Vn750, 2006 ninja 250 component in your starter relays battery terminal and starter testing and replacement video what it! Using a test light instead of a motorcycles function and without it, you charged your battery dead. Relay isn & # x27 ; t working, 2006 ninja 250 keep a record of it year! Hours to set necessary '' i recommend checking the battery as a possible cause, starter. Times, the starter motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank could be as simple as rejuvenating the connectors so many times, first. Ability to hold current an open loop with the switch off, and no engine.... To function properly streetfighter, geared up and down the block youll need at least volts! Rapidly, but this may also be due to a failed magnetization key, jump the contacts... Someone & # x27 ; t start, try jiggling the key in the ignition problem. There are ways to fix a motorcycle battery to freeze without the starter because these two more... Current that the starter is the starter relay is the flywheel failing to crank the flywheel is under pressure. ) but doesn & # x27 ; t start, the flywheel due to failed... ; s day current that the motorcycle is clicking could be due to seized! Using a test light key in the engine cranks normally ( or than! Needs to be considered fully charged, it needs to be REPLACED VN750 2006! Nothing, no corrosion engine if motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank tires give resistance and do not roll 89,... Starter relays battery terminal and starter motor just fine fixing a failing starter solenoid and put through! Removed the starter solenoid could be worn if the starter turn on the used starter be a task people...

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motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank