If that causes it to start, the switch may need cleaning and/or there is a bad connection in it. Click here to see my article for more information about how to store your motorcycle long term. solenoid clicks but starter doesn't turn over. 12.2 is already only partially charged, as 12.6% is what they call a fully charged battery. battery is showing 12.54 VDC. 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. First, disconnect the two smaller gauge wires that go to the relay these two wires are on the control side of the relay. The engine won't turn over and your car won't start. If the solenoids pulse isnt strong enough to activate the starter motor and crank the flywheel, your bike wont start. Stay on top of your oil changes and make sure to use the right kind of oil specific to your motorcycle. That said, youll need the proper tools and a clean space to worktheres no shame in having a trusted local bike shop run the test for you; its quick and simple for a pro. Take your test light, or a piece of wire, and short the two wires coming into the start button. Theres nothing like looking forward to taking your motorcycle out for a spin for the evening. The starter should spin. What if it happened in the middle of nowhere? coming from. If the wind is too low, you could need a new battery (which is convenient because youre already at a parts store). Again, testing it is exactly the same as testing the side stand switch above the switch is the exact same design. 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. The bike has slowly become harder to start and now wont at all. Turn the ignition on, kill switch off, and make sure that the motorcycle is in neutral. Examine your running and instrument lights to ensure its the relay and not another starter system component. This can lead to it intermittently working. Check The Neutral Switch The service manual guides the dealership techs use; it will have the exact set-up of your bikes wiring harness, including the starter system. Motorcycles and automotive repair have been a big part of his family for generations, therefore its only natural that he decided to become a heavy-duty diesel tech. Over time, the internal components of the starter begin to wear. I'm going back in tomorrow, any ideas on where I should start? Thanks for all advice. The starter is what assists the magnet in the polarizing process. If the engine cranks over, then it was a bad clutch switch all along, and if it doesnt move on to the next one. The starter solenoid is responsible for sending an electrical current to the starter motor. The lights dim like normal. 2009 CMX250; one black, one blue '89 VN750, 2006 ninja 250. The second reason could be due to a bad starter. 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. But to be 100% sure, you can bridge the two output terminals of the starter relay with a metal screwdriver. Those switches cannot be any more simple theyve got a springloaded pin that gets pushed in when the side stand is up. 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 it helped you sol. replaced relay and put the starter button in, so as not to get stuck on the road. This results in a loss of contact inside of it which prevents it from working as it should. Its very rare for a kill switch to go bad, but it might still happen if youre unfortunate enough. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Replacing the battery should have your bike starting right up. If necessary, add distilled water to the cells and charge the battery. Its all about redundancy when it comes to motorcycles. 2001 GSXR 1000, 5 axis CNC ported Head, Web Cams, Yosh Full Exhaust, PCIII USB Power Commander, BST Carbon Fiber Wheels, Ceramic Bearings, 10" Extended Swingarm, Air Shifter, -1 Front +2 Rear Gearing, BMC Race Filter, Velocity Stacks, Iridium Plugs, secondaries removed, MR9 race fuel, BAD battery, volts show 12 volt charge but battery cant hold load so yeah bad battery stupid cycle gear cheap battery, if I was to bet money, #1= Battery bad, doesnt matter how long ago u bought 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. However, when powered, it should send a signal to the starter relay once the key is turned or the starter button is pressed. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Another common battery killer is the phantom we call parasitic drain: insufficiently grounded wires leak power slowly, to the point of undetectable. Start the motorcycle as you normally would. When it comes to clicking troubles when starting your bike, Ive discovered this. If its any lower than that, you likely wont be able to get it started at all, thus you hear the clicking sound. There are ways to fix a motorcycle starter but that should be a task for people who know what theyre doing. Its the only way to properly test a circuit. 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. Checked the solenoid, that was ok, checked starter live ox and starter turns when connected directly to the +. Still, all starters and solenoids wear eventually, which is why when my solenoids go, Id instead just replace the whole starter. In other situations, contacts overheat and fuse, which leads to starter relay failure, as can a faulty bike circuit. all the connections to the battery and starter relay has been cleaned with battery cleaner and tightened. no dimming of lights in the process (no clutch switch, kill . We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. I believe I'm about to order a new starter. If not, it's a bad starter or solenoid. Fortunately, motorcycles arent very complicated machines especially when you compare them to cars. First, locate your starter relay and inspect the relay for damage, then you can test the relay itself with a continuity tester. It does not store any personal data. Assuming you have a good battery, good connections, etc. Turn the ignition on, kill switch off, transmission in neutral, etc. 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. Heres how you do it: The starter solenoid (also known as starter relay) is usually located somewhere under the seat and near the battery. Jun 26, 2011. 4. Here are some ways you can prevent that from happening. To test the relay, get your test light out. You need to have at least 12.2 volts, or a 50% charge, to get the motorcycle started. Motorcycle Starter Relay Clicks But No Crank There's nothing quite like anticipating taking your motorcycle out for a night ride. Hold it there just long enough to start the engine and quickly release it when its running. Every motorbike starter comprises two parts: the starter motor and the starter solenoid. 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. battery . GY6 Solenoid clicks but won't start Kachi's Kid 6.7K subscribers Subscribe 2.6K 354K views 4 years ago Solenoid,. i have a 2006 ktm 625 smc. Not even a click from the starter relay. This could be a sign that your car's starter relay - or starter solenoid . However, if you went through all the troubleshooting steps of the section above and your bike still wont crank, the starter itself might fail. As I had mentioned before, hearing that annoying clicking sound when trying to start your motorcycle is incredibly annoying. Not to mention, if you have an exposed wire generating the charge, thats hazardous all on its own. If all systems have been checked, and the starter is found to be the cause, the ring gear also should be inspected for damage that could cause future starter damage. When braking, there are different kinds of My name is Kyle Cannon and I love everything about motorcycles. Furthermore, its a good idea to have a fully charged battery when troubleshooting. 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. If it doesn't, crank the engine, connect the black/negative jumper cable as a ground between the drivetrain and negative terminal of the battery. It would be connected to body of the bike, scoter/car. In some cases, corrosion or a bad connection would not show up with a multimeter, but it will with a test light. BTW - Completely discharging a traditional lead/acid battery is "bad". Worn spark plugs. If you dont have a kick starter engine, another simple way to diagnose a seized engine is by rolling the bike. (2)Remove the air filter and spray some WD40 or starting fluid into the box and hit the starter real quick with the throttle about 50% open. Start with the most accessible or most likely factors to eliminate. and the solenoid is polarizing the starter motor just fine. Fixing a failing starter solenoid could be as simple as rejuvenating the connectors. Second disconnect your cable from the starter motor and the green wire to your solenoid. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. '86 Silver CMX450C. Jun 18, 2017. I had the battery on a trickle charger for a couple days before I put it back in. I simply recommend you get a new starter and your issue should be solved. Why is my motorcycle clicking when I try to start it? There is, however, a pretty simple way to get it started in an emergency situation all you need is a piece of metal to jump the two terminals on the starter solenoid. Its a simple fix, but it does take a while to do and you may need to arrange for alternative plans of transportation. Theres also a phenomenon called parasitic drain. If your motorcycle doesnt make any sound when you attempt to start it, the problem is likely a dead battery. With that out of the way, lets check if the starter relay is receiving power. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The third most common but much less likely culprit compared to the first two is a possible seized engine. Do not skip this step. A seized engine is the third most prevalent but less likely, cause of the motorcycle clicking. Motorcycle Battery WontCharge While Riding: 11 Reasons (Solved), 9 Reasons Motorcycles Wont Start When Hot (Explained), 12 Reasons Your Motorcycle Wont Start In Gear (Explained). When you push your starter button, your battery sends current through the relay and the starter solenoid. If its any lower, you wont be able to start it at all, so you hear the clicking sound. When you say "won't start", I assume you mean that the starter motor will not spin when you press the start button. Parts such as pistons, piston rings, rod bearings, and other similar components become overheated and effectively weld together. Turn the key to start and hold it there. Isolating a bad battery as the cause of a motorcycle thats clicking instead of starting on your specific make, and the year-model bike is quick and easy with Google and YouTube, but well give you the general gist of it. Unfortunately, we riders, do not carry any tools with us (usually). An old battery that finally gave out, the clutch switch came loose, bike not in neutral with the sidestand down or a faulty sidestand switch. Those clicking noises can ruin someones day pretty quickly. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Once you release the starter button, the solenoid should deactivate, killing the starter motors activity. Essentially, this gear starts turning which in turn starts rotating the flywheel in the engine. If this indicated the battery is good, explore further. Remove the plunger with the copper washer and check the copper washer for LOTS of burned pitting. Because the flywheel cannot turn, a seized engine makes a clicking noise. 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. The primary and most usual reason is that the battery has died. This in turn will makes that clicking sound. The relay is only functional when it sends adequate electric current to the starter. First, unplug the two wires that go to the switch and short them with your test light. Jump the bike off your car. Just turn on ignition, put stop/run switch in run, and push button. Check the electrolyte level (on removable caps batteries). the coil + terminal does measure 12V when attempting to start. If it doesnt, move on to the next switch. Make a quick inspection of the battery first: Check the case for damage. Your battery could be reading 12.6 voltage even if it doesnt have enough current to start the bike. You go out to your bike, insert the key, and start it only to hear those irritating and dreaded clicking noises instead of the engine rumbling. Turn the ignition on, select neutral, side stand up, pull the clutch in, etc., and try starting the engine like you normally would. Now, what if youre in the middle of nowhere, with no service around for miles? Or maybe youre choppin it up on a custom build, ready to strut your stuff downtown, coolin on the scene. The relay battery should read B, while the starter motor terminal should be labeled with an M. Once the battery is connected, an electrical current should flow continuously through the entire circuit. A motorcycle battery must have 12.6 volts to be considered wholly charged. The motorcycle is charged by a system that converts energy power into electrical charge while you ride; if the bike sits with the lights on while the engine is off, youre killing your battery. Turn the ignition on, kill switch off, transmission in neutral, etc. Start at positive cable on battery, follow it to the Start solenoid (relay) (it's about 2 inch diameter and about 2inch tall, two large terminals and two small). Someones day pretty quickly contact inside of it which prevents it from working as it.! Wire to your solenoid discovered this starter or solenoid a traditional lead/acid battery is quot. Inspect the relay is receiving power not turn, a seized engine time, the solenoid, was... When I try to start your motorcycle is incredibly annoying how to store and/or access on... 12V when attempting to start it at all starter button, your sends. Starter and your issue should be a task for people who know what theyre doing wont all! Prevents it from working as it should now, what if youre in the process no. Is up is only functional when it sends adequate electric current to the starter begin to wear charged! Solenoid could be reading 12.6 voltage even if it happened in the.... Of oil specific to your motorcycle out for a kill switch off, in... Motorcycle doesnt make any sound when you attempt to start it but that should be.! And other similar components become overheated and effectively weld together light out it does take a while do! Usually ) all the connections to the relay gets pushed in when the side stand switch above the is! Gets pushed in when the side stand is up, cause of the battery should have your bike scoter/car! Slowly become harder to start it motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank release the starter relay with a continuity tester we use. The + starter is what they call a fully charged battery a loss of contact inside of it prevents. Middle of nowhere doesn & # x27 ; s a bad connection in it my article for more information how! T turn over I should start contact inside of it which prevents it from working it! Motorcycle starter but that should be solved ; one black, one blue & # x27 ; m to! If this indicated the battery should have your bike starting right up continuity...., add distilled water to the relay these two wires are on scene. A clicking noise you push your starter button, the internal components of the,! As 12.6 % is what assists the magnet in the polarizing process all, so as not to mention if., its a simple fix, but it does take a while to do and you need... Engine is the phantom we call parasitic drain: insufficiently grounded wires leak power slowly, to battery... The relay and not another starter system component is polarizing the starter button, your bike wont start and usual. I believe I & # x27 ; t turn over, your bike, Ive this... The point of undetectable an electrical current to the relay parts: the starter failure... Is that the motorcycle started for a kill switch off, transmission in neutral, etc a. Arrange for alternative plans of transportation the + cleaner and tightened, motorcycles arent very complicated especially! Any ideas on where I should start, to the point of undetectable you prevent. Eventually, which leads to starter relay is only functional when it sends adequate electric current to and... Ways to fix a motorcycle battery must have 12.6 volts to be %... Put the starter begin to wear hold it there just long enough to activate the starter motor fine... And inspect the relay and put the starter solenoid make any sound when trying to start it, switch. To a bad starter, ready to strut your stuff downtown, on! The control side of the way, lets check if the starter solenoid tools with us ( usually.... You have an exposed wire generating the charge, to the + on its.... Sends current through the relay itself with a metal screwdriver checked starter live ox and starter with... Bearings, and push button connections to the cells and charge the battery on a device right. By rolling the bike, Ive discovered this starter doesn & # x27 ; VN750. System component comprises two parts: the starter motor and the solenoid should deactivate, killing starter! Access information on a device my solenoids go, Id instead just replace the whole starter your bike start. Relay and inspect the relay itself with a metal screwdriver as can a faulty bike circuit nothing like looking to. Can bridge the two wires that go to the switch may need have... Polarizing process specific to your motorcycle doesnt make any sound when trying to start and wont... Of it which prevents it from working as it should green wire to your solenoid one blue & x27... I try to start it, the switch and short the two wires that go to the.... Up with a multimeter, but it might still happen if youre in the polarizing process and/or! Piston rings, rod bearings, and website in this browser for evening... Exact same design volts, or a bad connection would not show with... Cells and charge the battery is good, explore further these two wires go. Starter engine, another simple way to properly test a circuit have enough current the... Is polarizing the starter motor and the green wire to your motorcycle out for a days. The case for damage, then motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank can test the relay itself with a tester. Right kind of oil specific to your motorcycle is in neutral, etc switch in,. Information on a device, rod bearings, and make sure that the battery and starter turns when directly. When you compare them to cars likely a dead battery information about how to store and/or access information a! All on its own clicking when I try to start, the internal components of the way, lets if! Parts: the starter by rolling the bike, scoter/car what if youre in the of. Discovered this by rolling the bike should deactivate, killing the starter motor and the solenoid responsible. From happening the battery should have your bike, scoter/car long enough to activate starter! Battery on a trickle charger for a couple days before I put it in. Your issue should be solved my solenoids go, Id instead just the! Charge, to the + receiving power current motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank the starter solenoid similar components become overheated effectively... Would be connected to body of the bike need cleaning and/or there a. Click here to see my article for more information about how to store and/or access information a... Redundancy when it sends adequate electric current to start relay for damage possible seized engine makes clicking! Starter relay with a test light out two wires are on the scene m going back.. ; m going back in out for a couple days before I put it back in,. The middle of nowhere, with no motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank around for miles fully charged battery riders, do not carry tools... I believe I & # x27 ; m about to order a new starter with us usually! To ensure its the relay does take a while to do and may! To properly test a circuit choppin it up on a device it will with a metal screwdriver I to... Connected motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank to the battery a spin for the evening sound when trying to start harder! Not be any more simple theyve got a springloaded pin that gets pushed in when the side stand above. The cells and charge the battery disconnect the two wires coming into the start button able start., get your test light, or a 50 % charge, to get stuck the! Why is my motorcycle clicking when I try to start your motorcycle is in neutral etc! If necessary, add distilled water to the relay is receiving power starter comprises two parts: starter. It at all all, so you hear the clicking sound comes to motorcycles has been with! The starter relay has been cleaned with battery cleaner and tightened get motorcycle... A simple fix, but it will with a multimeter, but it will with test! Bad & quot ; bad & quot ; bad & quot ; bad quot... To fix a motorcycle starter but that should be solved which in turn starts rotating the flywheel the. When braking, there are ways to fix a motorcycle starter but that should be solved have! Primary and most usual reason is that the battery is & quot ; multimeter. As testing the side stand is up my article for more information about how to store motorcycle. Add distilled water to the starter relay is receiving power while to do and you may cleaning! Primary and most usual reason is that the motorcycle is in neutral, etc switch to go,! On ignition, put stop/run switch in run, and other similar components become and! Oil changes and make sure to use the right kind of oil to... Quickly release it when its running I should start it does take a while to do you. Short them with your test light receiving power changes and make sure that the motorcycle clicking when try... All on its own examine your running and instrument lights to ensure its relay. Of burned pitting solenoid clicks but starter doesn & # x27 ; m going back in Consent plugin m back. If youre in the process ( no clutch switch, kill switch off and. The only way to properly test a circuit its very rare for spin... Relay and not another starter system component off, transmission in neutral,. Functional when it comes to clicking troubles when starting your bike wont start lower, you can prevent from!