motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank

It clicks quite fast, like 400 clicks per minute. 12.2 is already only partially charged, as 12.6% is what they call a fully charged battery. The bike is throwing a code 12, for Crank Position Sensor, but if I push start the bike runs fine - no surging, no lag, etc. 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. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". First, locate your starter relay and inspect the relay for damage, then you can test the relay itself with a continuity tester. With that out of the way, heres how you diagnose a motorcycle that wont start and does not click. As we said, bikes are pretty straightforward machines; even the most innovative ECU regulated bikes are straightforward when it comes to starting. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. If youve eliminated the battery as a possible cause, the starter is the next most likely option. We would love to hear your thoughts! Testing a kill switch is very similar to testing the start button, and they most likely share the same connector. Its an easy fix, but it takes time, and you may need to make other transportation arrangements. 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. JavaScript is disabled. You dont want your clicking to result from a seized engine; under ordinary riding circumstances, a seized engine is extremely rare. Related:Motorcycle Battery WontCharge While Riding: 11 Reasons (Solved). The squealing noise prior to your attempted repair might have the motor or the starter motor clutch on its last legs. Im sure its not the battery just got it earlier this year. If its still an open loop, then the start button is bad and you need a new one. Ideally, it should be around 12.4-6V. Using a wiring diagram, find the two wires that go to the start button. become too hot and essentially weld together. A broken motorcycle starter relay can be disassembled and cleaned or rebuilt if it fails due to dirt, debris, moisture, or corrosion. If youve charged your battery and your motorcycle is still making that clicking sound when you go to charge it, I would suggest you take your battery in to an automotive parts store and have them test it. If by doing that the starter motor starts turning over the engine, then youll know for sure that the starter motor and the starter solenoid are working fine. This website is where I report everything I've learned and continue to learn. Related:Motorcycle Clicks Instead Of Starting: 3 Reasons (Solved). 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. Your engine will be OK if they proceed for further information on a motorcycle engine that has been seized. exact same thing happened to me about 3 weeks ago Click to expand. Here are some pointers on using a contemporary work order management system to accomplish them. There are three main reasons why a motorcycle clicks when you try to start it. Its the only way to properly test a circuit. Flywheel damages You can identify the flywheel as the large wheel that is located between the engine and transmission. Did you find wrong information or was something missing? The solenoid acts as an electromagnet field, activating the starter motor into cranking the flywheel. Its all about redundancy when it comes to motorcycles. Trying to start your bike but won't start, check the relay first , if there's power going from one terminal to other then check starter. 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 that wasnt it, then its time to move on to the side stand switch. 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 your motorcycle's starter relay has gone bad, you could experience your starter clicking while you're trying to start the bike, while in some cases, the bike might be cold dead, with no sounds at all. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. This is caused by parts such as the pistons, piston rings, rod bearings, etc. Before you order a new starter, find a fuel pump PSI tester. Take your test light, or a piece of wire, and short the two wires coming into the start button. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Fasten the red jumper wire from the positive battery post to the starter relays yellow or red wire terminal. lights come on, the battery is fully charged and shows 12.8 on the voltmeter. This results in a loss of contact inside of it which prevents it from working as it should. Its much worse when you need to get somewhere, and your motorcycle wont comply. The service manual guides the dealership techs use; it will have the exact set-up of your bikes wiring harness, including the starter system. 1. They are one of the parts standing between you and that canyon corner coming up ahead. 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. Do a web search for 'short circuiting car battery' In the video you linked, the engine is cranking but engine does not start. the clicking was a relay not solenoid. If not, it's a bad starter or solenoid. 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. Started at the battery and worked back. Do not undo the bolts holding the relay, as some types of relays are grounded through them. Your email address will not be published. Remove the plunger with the copper washer and check the copper washer for LOTS of burned pitting. Your battery could be reading 12.6 voltage even if it doesnt have enough current to start the bike. Those clicking noises can rapidly spoil someones day. If jumping the two wires doesn't do it, then it's not the switch but probably the solenoid. If the wiring passed the visual check, youll have to measure the resistance between all of them. If the magnet that polarizes the gear to turn the flywheel isnt magnetizing appropriately, the equipment wont turn the flywheel at all. Assuming you have a good battery, good connections, etc. A motorcycle starter goes bad usually because of age. 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. ho0w do u test a starter relay??? These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. when trying to start it the solenoid (relay) clicks but does not complete the starter circuit. 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. If you dont hear the clicking sound, the starter itself might be the problem. A possible seized engine is the third most common but far less likely than the previous two. The clicking you hear is the starter gears failing to crank the flywheel due to a failed magnetization. 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. 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. A frozen battery can lose its ability to hold current. 12.4 volts is considered 75% charged, 12.2 is considered 50% charged and so on. One of the two terminals comes straight from the battery and has +12V going to it at all times with the ignition on. 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. 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. Damaged fuses or relays . On the other hand, motorcycles arent complicated machinery, especially when compared to automobiles. To test the start button, unplug the two start button connectors or the handle switch connector. Typically, this points to a . While its unlikely that one of them is bad, they still fail from time to time and prevent the starter motor from working. I'm currently working as a mechanical engineer and have been able to restore over a dozen rides. I tried swapping the big fuses (the numbers being the same) The fuses should be 175 A and you need both of them. The other one is open and does not have any voltage. Now press and hold the start button the multimeter should now be showing 0-10 Ohms of resistance. Lets begin with the start button first. STEP 1 - Begin at the batteries: Charge the batteries and perform battery load test on the battery bank. Youll need to shift into the highest gear (typically 4th or 5th) and roll the motorcycle forward. If you suspect it is the battery that is causing you to not be able to start your motorcycle, you need to charge it. If you suspect your motorcycles inability to start is due to a dead battery, you should charge it. Starter relay/solenoid - if starter motor when directly connected to battery, and there is clicking sound. Takes the start button and relay out of the equation. 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. 2. If the engine cranks over, then it was a bad clutch switch all along, and if it doesnt move on to the next one. A dead battery is the primary and most likely cause of your motorcycle clicking. If it helped you sol. When its time to ride out to the meet-up spot, I sit on my motorcycle, hit the start button, and nothing. 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). Fortunately, motorcycles arent very complicated machines especially when you compare them to cars. Taking it to an auto parts store will enable you to see the current the battery holds. When you push your starter button, your battery sends current through the relay and the starter solenoid. Stay on top of your oil changes and make sure to use the right kind of oil specific to your motorcycle. Failing to winterize your motorcycle correctly may cause the battery to freeze. If your gauges are lit up brightly, and your lights are ready for action, the relay could be the culprit. In this situation, deciding what to do can be difficult. Required fields are marked *. 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. Remove the screws and cover carefully noting the spring placement and direction. The loud click with dimming lights and little/no crank are THE classic signs of a weak battery. As for the clutch . Also make sure to connect your battery to a battery tender if its going to be a while until your next ride. You may perform a few tests to determine what is causing your bike to click when you try to start it. That can cause electrical connections to overheat and melt. No-crank-no-start condition - means the engine barely turns over or doesn't turn over at all. if you blew that you will hear the relay but no start. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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. Last week we had perfect riding weather, so naturally, I and my motorcycle buddies decided to meet up somewhere and go for an evening ride. Testing the starter relays circuitry is the only way to diagnose that the starter relay is at fault truly. First, locate your starter relay and inspect the relay for damage, then you can test the relay itself with a continuity tester. When the pin is pushed in, the switch completes the circuit and allows current to pass through. A motorcycle isnt very fun if you cant get it started. Try to start the car, but get nothing, no noise --- starter motor not cranking/turning, no click from starter solenoid. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Jump the bike off your car. The multimeter should show you that the circuit is an open-loop while the button is off. Cannon Entities LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Manage Settings Swap out the fuse if its looking rough. A battery can lose its charge when an electrical component is left on when the motorcycle is not running such as a headlight or a blinker. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Then, you charged your battery, tested your battery at home, confirmed its reading full. Now its time to try to start your bike again. Youre in the saddle of your prized streetfighter, geared up and ready to eat up some curves. If your battery doesnt have enough charge to power the magnet, the agent will fail in its attempts to crank the flywheel into motion. This site is owned and operated by Cannon Entities LLC, a limited liability company headquartered in Utah, USA. Gas should not be used if it has been sitting for longer than 6 months. When an engine seizes, the components inside the engine lock up to the point where the crankshaft is unable to turn the bearings. :-o. Related:9 Reasons Motorcycles Wont Start When Hot (Explained). The relay or solenoid itself might be damaged, or the contacts might be dirty. 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 exposure to oxygen eventually changes the chemistry of gas which can lead to gum and varnish deposits. Some motorcycles (especially the more recent ones) are designed to stop the rider from starting the engine if the battery voltage is low. Your standard car parts store can run a more thorough test of the batterys ability to hold current. Motorcycle has Intermittent Starting Problems. It would be connected to body of the bike, scoter/car. Read the labels to tell which is which. 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. Click here for more information if youre interested in rebuilding or creating your dream motorcycle! Now just because the relay doesnt click doesnt mean its the fault. Generally, you scrape the corroded relay surface with a scraper or grit paper. The clicking youre hearing is the flywheel failing to rotate. Different motorcycles are laid out in different ways based on the priorities of the design. Defective push-button start system. 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. power from the battery to the starter motor. Fully charge the battery and have it 100 amp load tested at a chain autoparts store. You may have a seized engine if the tires give resistance and do not roll. Lets cut to the troubleshooting process and break down the symptoms of a bad starter relay and look at the specifics. Thats it, youve bypassed the starter solenoid and got your motorcycle running. Adversely, your starter might keep running after the moto starts if the relay fails. Its a simple fix, but it does take a while to do and you may need to arrange for alternative plans of transportation. At 12.2 volts, 50% charged, and so on. (PS: We read ALL feedback). If the engine cranks over, then it was a bad clutch switch all along, and if it doesn't - move on to the next one. Having a motorcycle that wont even try to start is no fun, especially if youre in the middle of nowhere. GY6 Solenoid clicks but won't start Kachi's Kid 6.7K subscribers Subscribe 2.6K 354K views 4 years ago Solenoid,. The starter motor is responsible for turning or starting your engine. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. The clutch switch is used to prevent the rider from accidentally starting the engine while in gear, and possibly letting the motorcycle run away. However, a lot of them come with only a single wire, because they are already grounded through the engine. 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. Yes! 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. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Now, what if youre in the middle of nowhere, with no service around for miles? Another symptom of a failing starter is intermittent starting. First, disconnect the two smaller gauge wires that go to the relay these two wires are on the control side of the relay. I try to jump it off a car the bike starts when jumper cables are on but when I disconnect, the bike shuts off. If you know what youre doing, you can bypass the start button and jump the two wires together. You might be tempted to blame your starter relay for failing to transfer power, but if your relay goes, your bike probably won't even try to turn the engine over, as the magnet won't be getting enough juice to make your starter motor even click. Team night out.. start Jumping. Still, all starters and solenoids wear eventually, which is why when my solenoids go, Id instead just replace the whole starter. Step 1: Pop Open The Hood And Locate The Starter Solenoid. Check the electrolyte level (on removable caps batteries). Just turn on ignition, put stop/run switch in run, and push button. The good news is that you dont have to start initially. Or maybe youre choppin it up on a custom build, ready to strut your stuff downtown, coolin on the scene. Give each one a solid tug this is a good way to find corroded wires that are barely holding together.