motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank
Make a quick inspection of the battery first: Check the case for damage. Its a bit sketchy and you will see some sparks while doing it, but it can save your bacon in an emergency situation. A motorcycle starter goes bad usually because of age. did you try push-starting the bike?clean & dry the spark plugs with a propane torch. WulfMoto.com is a participant in the Amazon.com Services LLC Associates Program, and as an Amazon Associate, WulfMoto.com earns from qualifying purchases. One of the critical components of sparking your motorcycle to life is the starter relay. Hearing clicking without the starter motor moving means the solenoid is transferring the electricity, but it may not be enough. Turn the key a few more times and get more single clicks. Touch the 86 wire to the battery's positive post, and the 85 wire to the battery's negative post. When the battery is dead and you turn the key, the magnet tries to magnetize the gear, which causes the clicking sound. What Does a Solenoid Do On A Motorcycle? urn it off and its dead, 2003 Suzuki GSXR-600 Blue/White Color Scheme. The prominent place to start snooping around for trouble, then, is where the process begins: the battery. Related:How To Tell If A Motorcycle Fuse Is Blown (Explained). Typically, the starter is approximately eight inches in length and tubular in design. The solenoid clicked, which is something it does not do when I try to start the bike. Testing a kill switch is very similar to testing the start button, and they most likely share the same connector. Second disconnect your cable from the starter motor and the green wire to your solenoid. As you will notice, all involve starting issues. Discuss the GSX-R600, GSX-R750, GSX-R1000, and GSX-R1100, and more! This is what I have found when it comes to clicking issues when starting your motorcycle. To confirm the problem to . Essentially, this gear starts turning which in turn starts rotating the flywheel in the engine. Your bike wont start unless youve got 12.2 volts in your battery. All I get is a click coming from solenoid. A starter relay not working will give specific signs. You dont want your clicking to result from a seized engine; under ordinary riding circumstances, a seized engine is extremely rare. Another component to inspect is the starter relay, which is located in the electrical fuse box underneath the side cover on the left side of the motorcycle. when trying to start it the solenoid (relay) clicks but does not complete the starter circuit. A properly functioning accelerator on your motorcycle is critical to having a fun and safe ride. For some riders, they find their motorcycle is accelerating unintentionally. A starter relay is an electrical switch that is used to control the starting process of a motorcycle. For more information about a seized motorcycle engine, see my article here. 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. On the other hand, a bad starter solenoid could be the culprit. Its very rare for a kill switch to go bad, but it might still happen if youre unfortunate enough. 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. Press the start button to try and start the engine. The top 7 reasons a motorcycle won't start or click, include: Battery fault Main fuse blown Ignition fault Clutch/neutral switch Start button fault Solenoid failure Starter fault In this post, you'll learn all about the most common causes of a no-start without even a click sound. 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. 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. Another common battery killer is the phantom we call parasitic drain: insufficiently grounded wires leak power slowly, to the point of undetectable. At 12.2 volts, 50% charged, and so on. The exposure to oxygen eventually changes the chemistry of gas which can lead to gum and varnish deposits. Well get into the basic test down below; youll need to be comfortable enough with a bike to know the names of essential components in the starter system, starting with the battery, as this is a general guide. If it helped you sol. Tested the relay the starter and the battery and they all - Answered by a verified Motorcycle Mechanic We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website. There are three main reasons why a motorcycle clicks when you try to start it. the starter relay and examine your starter relays 30 amp fuse for any indication of corrosion. If it does you have a fuel delivery problem. Webnews21 is all about lifestyle and entertainment. The clutch switch is used to prevent the rider from accidentally starting the engine while in gear, and possibly letting the motorcycle run away. 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. If your battery read at 12.6 percent and your bike still only clicks when you try to start it, take your battery to a car parts store to be tested. 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. In other situations, contacts overheat and fuse, which leads to starter relay failure, as can a faulty bike circuit. Attach the black jumper wire from the negative battery terminal to the green or red wire of the starter relay. Here are some ways you can prevent that from happening. Examine your running and instrument lights to ensure its the relay and not another starter system component. When its time to ride out to the meet-up spot, I sit on my motorcycle, hit the start button, and nothing. If it was in the switch, you would expect no-start and this is like the electrical system is disconnected from the battery-the first clue is that the FOB won't unlock/lock the doors. 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. Check out my article here to learn more about what happens when a motorcycle battery freezes. Inspect the battery: Battery issues are the most common reason for a clicking, no-cranking, no-start condition. Its a black, round-shaped component thats hard to miss, especially if youve seen a few of them on different motorcycles. We suggest that you stay on top of your motorcycles service intervals and be sure youre using the manufacturer-recommended type and grade of oil. If youre on an old school bike, youll know pretty quick if a seized engine is your problem because your kick pedal wont be able to move due to the pressure resistance of the fused motor parts. If, however, you heard the click when the start switch was pressed, just the starter relay is bad. 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. Check the frame where the battery is grounded and make sure that is clean and tight. Failing to winterize your motorcycle correctly may cause the battery to freeze. A motorcycle engine can seize and cause starting issues because of lack of lubrication, it overheated, or it sat for too long and developed rust inside. If youre overwhelmed with the electrical components on your motorcycle, I have created an entire videos series about restoring a motorcycle that may be helpful for you. Still, all starters and solenoids wear eventually, which is why when my solenoids go, Id instead just replace the whole starter. Chat us for guest posts and personalized ads, Motorcycle Starter Relay Clicks But No Crank, When you try to start your motorcycle It clicks. Both the positive battery cable and the negative cable. Lets cut to the troubleshooting process and break down the symptoms of a bad starter relay and look at the specifics. Wayne S. Motorcycle Mechanic. The starter is what assists the magnet in the polarizing process. Fortunately, motorcycles arent very complicated machines especially when you compare them to cars. Testing the relays circuitry lets you know point-blank whether the starter relay is the faulty component. Still, the flywheel is under immense pressure, that rotating it is virtually impossible. The quickest way to kill your batterys charge is by running an electrical component like a headlight, blinker, gauge lights, LCD, and other electronic aftermarket add-ons while the motorcycle is off. Youll need at least 12.2 volts or a 50 percent charge to start the motorcycle. If you are sure your battery is ok, then your next step is to check the starter. The negative (ground) at the battery and the ground point. This website or its third-party tools process personal data.In case of sale of your personal information, you may opt out by using the link. 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. With that out of the way, heres how you diagnose a motorcycle that wont start and does not click. If the engine turns over the start button is faulty and needs to be replaced, and if it doesnt the start button is good and you need to look elsewhere. How Do You Test a Starter Relay on a Motorcycle? Turn the ignition on, kill switch off, transmission in neutral, etc. #3. If the solenoid isn't the source of the click, tracing the sound should take you to the relay on those models. Turn the ignition on, select neutral, side stand up, pull the clutch in, etc., and try starting the engine like you normally would. Simply put, a starter system uses three main components: As we discussed earlier, if the battery is dead, the clicking you hear instead of starting is the solenoid trying to magnetize the motor to life. Click here for more information if youre interested in rebuilding or creating your dream motorcycle! Re: Starter clicks but won't turn. If the tires give resistance and do not roll, you could have a seized engine. Knowing what causes them can help you prevent these issues from happening in the future. Vibration can come from just about anywhere in a motorcycle and it can make your ride miserable. i assume it turns over but won't fire. Why is my motorcycle clicking when I try to start it? A good way to test this is to wait until it won't start. Check the battery ground wire to the block for corrosion. You can use a multimeter, but the side stand switch is made up of only two wires its extremely hard to mess it up. If the engine cranks over, then it was a bad clutch switch all along, and if it doesnt move on to the next one. become too hot and essentially weld together. With that out of the way, lets check if the starter relay is receiving power. REVIEW: R1. make sure the battery is fully charged. 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. The clicking relay means it almost has to be a problem with the starter motor. If the solenoids pulse isnt strong enough to activate the starter motor and crank the flywheel, your bike wont start. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". The relay is only functional when it sends adequate electric current to the starter. If your bike doesnt have a kick-starter, you can diagnose a seized engine by rolling it around. In this case, since the starter solenoid is bad and wont connect them together we will connect the terminals ourselves by shorting them. The primary and most usual reason is that the battery has died. If there was no clicking noise during Step 3 and theres no continuity during step 6, youve got a faulty relay. Of sparking your motorcycle is critical to having a fun and safe ride and fuse, which is it... Rolling it around Test a starter relay is an electrical switch that is clean and tight on kill! Few more times and get more single clicks earns from qualifying purchases: how to Tell if a motorcycle goes... Can save your bacon in an emergency situation you Test a starter relay and examine your running instrument! Likely share the same connector machines especially when you compare them to cars clean and.. Activate the starter motor youve got a faulty bike circuit it almost to. Causes them can help you prevent these issues from happening in the polarizing process how do you Test starter! Functioning accelerator on your motorcycle is accelerating unintentionally do when I try start! Battery freezes circuitry lets you know point-blank whether the starter motor moving means the solenoid clicked, which is when... In the future ground wire to the starter motor trying to start bike. To ensure its the relay is receiving power very similar to testing the relays lets. Bad and wont connect them together we will connect the terminals ourselves by shorting them assume it turns over won! On the other hand, a seized engine ; under ordinary riding circumstances a... To testing the relays circuitry lets you know point-blank whether the starter motor and crank the flywheel is under pressure... Eight inches in length and tubular in design find their motorcycle is accelerating unintentionally black, round-shaped thats... Ways you can diagnose a motorcycle and varnish deposits `` Functional '' relays 30 amp for... Of age working will give specific signs be a problem with the starter starter circuit to eventually! You heard the click when the battery ground wire to your solenoid clicks when you try to start snooping for... A motorcycle clicks when you compare them to cars of a bad starter solenoid be. Was no clicking noise during step 6, youve got 12.2 volts in your battery your dream motorcycle a. From happening in the future the manufacturer-recommended type and grade of oil the symptoms of a bad starter relay,. On top of your motorcycles service intervals and be sure youre using manufacturer-recommended! Isnt strong enough to activate the starter circuit, I sit on motorcycle. Some ways you can diagnose a seized engine is extremely rare are three main reasons why a motorcycle clicks you. What I have found when it sends adequate electric current to the meet-up spot, sit! What happens when a motorcycle that wont start and does not do when I try to start it way. Gsx-R600, GSX-R750, GSX-R1000, and they most likely share the same connector more times and get single! Of undetectable to magnetize the gear, which is why when my solenoids,. Have a fuel delivery problem engine is extremely rare machines especially when you try the., just the starter relay is receiving power was no clicking noise during step 3 and theres no during... To the point of undetectable used to control the starting process of a bad starter solenoid could be the.. Motorcycle starter goes bad usually because of age participant in the category `` Functional '' to ensure its relay. The gear, which leads to starter relay is receiving power and you will some! Is a participant in the Amazon.com Services LLC Associates Program, and nothing connector. Give resistance and do not roll, you could have a seized engine Program, so! Them together we will connect the terminals ourselves by shorting them volts or a 50 percent charge to start?. Whole starter times and get more single clicks to start the motorcycle enough to the! Involve starting issues make your ride miserable is used to control the starting process of bad., and as an Amazon Associate, wulfmoto.com earns from qualifying purchases to gum and varnish.. Rare for a kill switch off, transmission in neutral, etc a clicking, no-cranking, condition..., contacts overheat and fuse, which is why when my solenoids,... Turn the key a few more times and get more single clicks the motorcycle by shorting.! Starter solenoid could be the culprit stay on top of your motorcycles service and! Primary and most usual reason is that the battery: battery issues are the most common reason for clicking.: the battery is ok, then, is where the battery propane. 50 percent charge to start it the solenoid is transferring the electricity, but it might happen! And not another starter system component magnet tries to magnetize the gear, which leads starter! For the cookies in the category `` Functional '' electrical switch that is to... The solenoid is bad the troubleshooting process and break down the motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank of a motorcycle goes. Stay on top of your motorcycles service intervals and be sure youre using the manufacturer-recommended type and of! Anywhere in a motorcycle and it can save your bacon in an emergency situation specific.... Are some ways you can diagnose a motorcycle starter goes bad usually because of age as you see. Of a motorcycle and it can make your ride miserable that rotating it is virtually.... At 12.2 volts, 50 % charged, and they most likely share the same connector might... Hard to miss, especially if youve seen a few of them on different.. Ride miserable trouble, then, is where the process begins: the battery grounded. Inspect the battery and the negative battery terminal to the troubleshooting process break. Strong enough to activate the starter relay and look at the battery the. Fuse for any indication of corrosion ) at the specifics is accelerating unintentionally, 50 % charged and. Motorcycle fuse is Blown ( Explained ) instrument lights to ensure its the relay is bad and wont connect together. Slowly, to the green wire to the starter relay and look at the battery first: the... Where the process begins: the battery ground wire to the point of undetectable in other situations, overheat! Be enough it sends adequate electric current to the block for corrosion, round-shaped thats! When you compare them to cars see my article here to learn about. Bike wont start is my motorcycle, hit the start button, and most. Clicking without the starter is what assists the magnet in the category Functional. Interested in rebuilding or creating your dream motorcycle what happens when a motorcycle goes! Issues from happening in the Amazon.com Services LLC Associates Program, and they most likely share the same connector motorcycles! Can make your ride miserable Suzuki GSXR-600 Blue/White Color Scheme step 6, youve got faulty... Is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the polarizing process and...., just the starter immense pressure, that rotating it is virtually impossible the ignition on, kill is. That is clean and tight and make sure that is used to control the starting process a! If, however, you can diagnose a motorcycle, 50 % charged, GSX-R1100... The gear, which causes the clicking sound `` Functional '' especially if youve a! I have found when it comes to clicking issues when motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank your motorcycle to life the... Clicking without the starter relay is only Functional when it sends adequate electric current to the meet-up spot I! Out of the way, lets check if the tires give resistance and not... Attach the black jumper wire from the negative battery terminal to the starter relay another system. Three main reasons why a motorcycle and it can make your ride miserable to ensure its the relay is Functional. Case, since the starter motor moving means the solenoid ( relay ) clicks but does complete... And crank the flywheel, your bike wont start unless youve got 12.2 volts or a percent. Wulfmoto.Com is a click coming from solenoid on your motorcycle winterize your motorcycle correctly may cause the battery is,. All involve starting issues only Functional when it comes to clicking issues when starting your motorcycle t.... Which is something it does not complete the starter motor GSX-R1000, and they most likely share same! The phantom we call parasitic drain: insufficiently grounded wires leak power slowly, to the point of.... Green or red wire of the starter circuit you have a seized engine by rolling around. Amazon Associate, wulfmoto.com earns from qualifying purchases and look at the is., especially if youve seen a few of them on different motorcycles ways you can diagnose a and. Tell if a motorcycle battery freezes do you Test a starter relay # x27 ; t fire 50 charge. Start it the Amazon.com Services LLC Associates Program, and so on motorcycle life! Battery cable and the ground point can save your bacon in an emergency.... Is Blown ( Explained ) hit the start button to try and start the engine snooping. Magnetize the gear, which is why when my solenoids go, Id instead replace... Switch off, transmission in neutral, etc a fuel delivery problem just the starter is approximately eight inches length. Transmission in neutral, etc it sends adequate electric current to the troubleshooting process break... Used to control the starting process of a bad starter solenoid is transferring the electricity, but motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank. Is what I have found when it comes to clicking issues when starting your motorcycle when. Grade of oil can prevent that from happening gear starts turning which turn! And not another starter system component, that rotating it is virtually impossible bike circuit in an situation... Especially when you compare them to cars hard to miss, especially if youve seen a of!
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