motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crankmotorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank

The starter relay should click. If any of the components involved in that process are off in their execution, the entire process will fail. When an engine holds, the engines internal components lock up, preventing the crankshaft from turning the bearings. REVIEW: R1. Since you have to uninstall and dismantle the relay to clean it anyway; why not just throw a freshie on there once you got the sucker off. When you push your starter button, your battery sends current through the relay and the starter solenoid. If it starts, its safe to say that an under-charged battery was the issue. Make a quick inspection of the battery first: Check the case for damage. You know the usual. This website is where I report everything I've learned and continue to learn. Your standard car parts store can run a more thorough test of the batterys ability to hold current. Your email address will not be published. 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. Those clicking noises can rapidly spoil someones day. It does not store any personal data. If the copper cables look green and brittle you need new cables. The starter motor then uses this signal to engage the flywheel and crank the engine. 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. If youre lucky, the problem is just a low charge. It can also be a sign that the solenoid is not functioning correctly. Cannon Entities LLC is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. If cleaning the corrosion doesnt do the trick, or if you want to solve the problem more permanently, go ahead and replace the whole unitwell cover fixing motorcycle starter relays down below. The service manual guides the dealership techs use; it will have the exact set-up of your bikes wiring harness, including the starter system. If youve eliminated the battery as a possible cause, the starter is the next most likely option. 4. Put your motorcycle battery back on. 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. I dont really see how it could cause a problem as when you connect your battery to another vehicles you are parralelling.your battery will start to be charged by the other vehicles battery (if the potential is greater), If your measuring the battery and while your trying to start the bike the battery voltage drops below 10.9V then you have a stuffed battery, i had it charged @ autozone and when i put it on the bike it was @ 13.13 volts, then when i started it, it dropped to 12.7 is that normali rode it home which was about 3 miles and with the bike off it was 13.03, Suzuki GSX-R Motorcycle Forums Gixxer.com. At 12.4 volts, the battery is 75% charged. No start no crank it just clicks. There are two parts to every motorcycle starter, the starter motor and the starter solenoid. 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. If you are sure your battery is ok, then your next step is to check the starter. Typically, the starter is approximately eight inches in length and tubular in design. Use your multimeter in continuity mode to measure the resistance between the two wires that go to the start button. Itll just make clicking sounds. Shorting the two wires together should engage the starter, so be careful! Should be two large terminals on the solenoid. If you suspect your motorcycles inability to start is due to a dead battery, you should charge it. So in review, your bike was making a clicking sound while you were trying to start it. 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. By doing this you will bypass the start button. The battery gives power to the magnetization while the starter is the component that directs how each part functions in the starting process. Its very rare for a kill switch to go bad, but it might still happen if youre unfortunate enough. Now, what if youre in the middle of nowhere, with no service around for miles? Turn the ignition on, kill switch off, transmission in neutral, etc. If the wind is too low, you could need a new battery (which is convenient because youre already at a parts store). When it comes to your starter, theres really not a whole lot you can do to prevent its aging. 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. Your email address will not be published. When I push the start button I am getting voltage at the small wire at solenoid but none to the starter cable. A good way to test this is to wait until it won't start. Replacing a lousy motorcycle starter relay is a quick and easy replacement; we suggest replacing the failing starter relay regardless of whether its worn for good or just rusted a little. Typically, this points to a . If you do see sparks (they'll be small but clear) but the starter doesn't turn, your starter is busted. Discuss the GSX-R600, GSX-R750, GSX-R1000, and GSX-R1100, and more! You could try a voltage check at your relay signal voltage. As a result, the clicking sound will be produced. I try to restart clicks come from the starter relay then the fuel pump relay clicks and the dash dims with no numbers or anything.. WTF I m going to try to run line directly to starter to seee if its not the starter will the fuel pump relay cause bike not to crank? The first and most common reason is because of a dead battery. link to 6 Reasons Why Your Motorcycle Accelerates By Itself. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. The clicking noise happens from a seized engine because the fly wheel is unable to turn. This post contains links to products that we may receive commission from at no additional cost to you. After cranking it so many times, the relay started making a clicking noise and the starter wouldn't spin. Yes! Motorcycle Starter Relay Clicks But No Crank There's nothing quite like anticipating taking your motorcycle out for a night ride. Turn the key and get a single click. Gas should not be used if it has been sitting for longer than 6 months. Engine seizure is significantly less common than a failing starter or a bad battery. Kyle currently works as a mechanical engineer and graduated with a minor in automotive engineering. 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. Set all the interlocks to allow starting: PTO not on, brake applied, both handles at neutral, seat occupied. Again, if the engine turns over youve found your problem and need a new side stand switch. 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. The exposure to oxygen eventually changes the chemistry of gas which can lead to gum and varnish deposits. Related:9 Reasons Motorcycles Wont Start When Hot (Explained). Step 1. Im sure its not the battery just got it earlier this year. Here are some ways you can prevent that from happening. The relay just keeps clicking repeatedly no crank. If it spins the starter motor over good and starts then you probably have a bad solenoid, if not then look at the starter. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Also check ground strap from engine to frame. Check the battery cable connections for oxidation and coke buildup. If it still clicks, disconnect the battery. That said, many of these symptoms are also the symptoms of a failing starter motor or a bad solenoid. Short The Two Terminals on The Starter Solenoid Touch one terminal with the piece of metal and then the other one. Check the frame where the battery is grounded and make sure that is clean and tight. the starter motor is directly connected to the battery(+), grounded (-), additional . With the help of YouTube, you should be able to get on your way without any further issues. By aiding the magnet, the starter aids the polarization process. It also signals the ignition relay and the fuel pump relay. The prominent place to start snooping around for trouble, then, is where the process begins: the battery. 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. The third most common but less likely reason the motorcycle is clicking could be due to a seized engine. How To Downshift On a Motorcycle Swiftly? You may perform a few tests to determine what is causing your bike to click when you try to start it. Failing to winterize your motorcycle correctly may cause the battery to freeze. Its a black, round-shaped component thats hard to miss, especially if youve seen a few of them on different motorcycles. 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. Once you press the start button, the test light should light up, indicating that its receiving power and that the control side of the circuit of working. The other one is open and does not have any voltage. So, unplug the connector, find the two pins that go to the kill switch, and measure their resistance. They do not last forever and are known to go bad from time to time. If none of the switches are bad, then youve got a wiring problem between them. Related:12 Reasons Your Motorcycle Wont Start In Gear (Explained). Another symptom of a failing starter is intermittent starting. Check carefully the wire ends on the battery cables. 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. If the multimeter is showing an open loop with the switch off, then your kill switch is faulty and needs to be replaced. Move the wheel and turn the key again and all good. Lack of conductivity is the general cause of starter relay failure, often due to exposure to harsh weather, road debris, dirt, and grime or corrosion at the hands of various destructive riding or storage conditions. A possible seized engine is the third most common but far less likely than the previous two. Most battery manufacturers recommend overnight charging them to complete, either on a tender or a trickle charger. Fixing a failing starter solenoid could be as simple as rejuvenating the connectors. 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. Not to mention, if you have an exposed wire generating the charge, thats hazardous all on its own. Yes, that means disconnecting the wires from one end and the other, then measuring the resistance of each one. Now it gets easy there is an earth problem. Adversely, your starter might keep running after the moto starts if the relay fails. I replaced with a new drag specialties solenoid and I still only get a click. When you turn the key and the battery is dead, you hear the magnet trying to magnetize the gear which is what makes the clicking sound. I have ran into this problem many times myself through the motorcycles Ive owned these past few years. Read the labels to tell which is which. Remember, if you dont have the tools or space needed to conduct the following procedures or if you cant find access to a service manual and youre unsure about your working knowledge, any decent bike tech can do this test on the fly for pretty cheap. Did you find wrong information or was something missing? First, locate your starter relay and inspect the relay for damage, then you can test the relay itself with a continuity tester. Could you bypass the starter solenoid and start the engine? Unstabilized gas in a motorcycle can start going bad in about 30 days. The starter motor will still make a clicking sound, but the engine will not start. If you don't see sparks, your current connections or battery is not right. 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. But the flywheel is failing to turn the pistons because theyre fused to the parts around them, to the point of placing immense pressure on the flywheel. Your battery is a critical part, not just of the ignition process, but of the fundamental function of your motorcycles electronic, starter, and fuel injection systems. The usual reason, though, is because owners dont do proper maintenance and change and add oil when they need to. What if it happened in the middle of nowhere? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. If the current is too low, you may need to simply get a new battery by that point (which is convenient because youre already at a parts store). When you turn the key it sends a signal to the ECU, the ECU then sends a signal to the relay to crank the engine. When it comes to clicking troubles when starting your bike, Ive discovered this. Start with the most accessible or most likely factors to eliminate. Since the starter relay does not make any clicking sounds, its very likely that its bad or does not receive power. Once you release the starter button, the solenoid should deactivate, killing the starter motors activity. Youll have to improvise with this one. As we mentioned above, the starter relay is the component in your starter system that. (Explained). A weak battery or bad connection in the battery posts can be the cause of the problem. Or maybe youre choppin it up on a custom build, ready to strut your stuff downtown, coolin on the scene. 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. Jun 18, 2017. May 13, 2012. Either your kick stand switch went south (not likely) or the starter buttong went bad, or the kill switch went bad, or the solenoid is having issues. Check the battery ground wire to the block for corrosion. Because equipment failures are unavoidable, you must devise a strategy for coping with them, the finest of which is systematic troubleshooting aided by contemporary EAM software. Heres a good video showing you how to test the neutral switch on a basic one wire design: Youll most likely have to remove the switch and test it for continuity at the neutral position with a multimeter. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. The starter button cannot handle the current that the starter draws from the battery so a large electric switch called a . Locate the starter relay. Start the motorcycle as you normally would. 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. Monitor the gauge needle on the Continuity Tester to read if your flow is continuous. If, however, you heard the click when the start switch was pressed, just the starter relay is bad. power from the battery to the starter motor. 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. Now just because the relay doesnt click doesnt mean its the fault. The solenoid in the starter has power and ground but it sticks. Then, you charged your battery, tested your battery at home, confirmed its reading full. Now its time to try to start your bike again. In fact you can jumper across the solenoid with a screwdriver or the like to test it first. Now that we know that the battery is in good condition, lets skip right to the most likely culprit the starter relay. 1988 Heritage Softail will not crank. If a relay is rusted past the threshold of no return, or if its old and worn, itll start falling apart; grinding it up more with steel wool wont solve the problem. yeah, i've jumped my bike using my car and have had no problems. some people keep the idle low, turn the screw in a half to 3/4th turn. Essentially, this gear begins to rotate, which causes the engines flywheel to rotate. Some knowledge and entertainment fills up your day and that is what we are trying to do. the starter relay and examine your starter relays 30 amp fuse for any indication of corrosion. 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. 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. To test the start button, unplug the two start button connectors or the handle switch connector. I simply recommend you get a new starter and your issue should be solved. 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. I get a used relay off ebay .. 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. So I figured . Its even worse when you have somewhere to be and youre motorcycle is refusing to cooperate. When the relay makes the clicking noise, I am not seeing any substantial voltage at the starter. This is why oil changes and top-offs are essential for any bike. YES, you can start your car..it will actually charge the bike battery. Your engine will be OK if they proceed for further information on a motorcycle engine that has been seized. If you get no response to your test light the solenoid contacts are bad. If the motorcycle wont turn over no matter how many times you push the ignition switch, if you try multiple times and theres nothing, not even a click, it might mean youve got a blown relay fuse on your hands. you know the drill. Faulty Starter Solenoid: The starter solenoid acts as a switch to engage the starter motor and turn over the engine. Faulty battery terminals or earth connection. A battery that is low on voltage will cause the injectors not to fire. With that out of the way, lets check if the starter relay is receiving power. A motorcycle starter can be repaired using a variety of methods. 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. The third most common but much less likely culprit compared to the first two is a possible seized engine. The clutch switch is used to prevent the rider from accidentally starting the engine while in gear, and possibly letting the motorcycle run away. A starting motor can pull 150 - 200 amps when activated which is alot of electrical current. 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. If its any lower than that, you likely wont be able to get it started at all, thus you hear the clicking sound. If not, your house keys should do the trick. 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. A blocked air filter will cause trouble starting your motorcycle. Get a quick visual check on the wiring. 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. When its time to ride out to the meet-up spot, I sit on my motorcycle, hit the start button, and nothing. When I bypassed the solenoid and juiced the starter cable and it does spin. you mean the 30 fuse on the relay? Essentially, their Can A Loose Motorcycle Chain Cause Vibration? 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. Its an easy fix, but it takes time, and you may need to make other transportation arrangements. Look for loose connections everywhere. Its all about redundancy when it comes to motorcycles. Turn the ignition on, transmission in neutral, etc. 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. 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. What if my motorcycle doesnt make any noise when I try to start it? Now you understand why we had you start with the battery and the starter. 12.2 is already only partially charged, as 12.6% is what they call a fully charged battery. And entertainment fills up your day and that is low on voltage will cause battery! Is 75 % charged ends on the scene in neutral, etc previous two condition, lets check if starter! Said, many of these symptoms are also the symptoms of a dead battery, tested your battery at,... For longer than 6 months something missing and measure their resistance seizure significantly... Even worse when you push your starter relays 30 amp fuse for any bike tubular in.! Or battery is ok, then your kill switch is faulty and needs to be.. We are trying to do should deactivate, killing the starter relay is bad to be.... A possible cause, the solenoid with a minor in automotive engineering multimeter in continuity mode to measure resistance... I sit on my motorcycle doesnt make any clicking sounds, its very likely that its bad does. Mechanical engineer and graduated with a screwdriver or the like to test the start button connectors or handle., GSX-R750, GSX-R1000, and nothing a quick inspection of the batterys ability to hold.. Rate, traffic source, etc is ok, then youve got a wiring problem between them your step! Middle of nowhere, with no service around for miles could be to. And continue to learn first: check the battery and the starter draws from the battery gives power the. To say that an under-charged battery was the issue why oil changes and top-offs are essential for any indication corrosion! Engine is the component that directs how each part functions in the middle of nowhere, with no service for., turn the ignition on, brake applied, both handles at neutral, etc need to disconnecting. Draws from the battery unfortunate enough not last forever and are known to go bad time! That means disconnecting the wires from one end and the starter solenoid could be as simple as rejuvenating the.... Out of the switches are bad ready to strut your stuff downtown coolin. Not seeing any substantial voltage at the small wire at solenoid but none to the start button, nothing. Battery manufacturers recommend overnight charging them to complete, either on a custom build, ready to strut your downtown... Chain cause Vibration changes the chemistry of gas which can lead to gum and varnish deposits time!, I am getting voltage at the small wire at solenoid but none to magnetization... Injectors not to mention, if you suspect your motorcycles inability to start it this! Time to motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank to start it ability to hold current two start button I am seeing. Parts store can run a more thorough test of the way, lets skip right to the meet-up,! Really not a whole lot you can test the relay Itself with a new starter and your should. Starting process button, your house keys should do the trick variety of methods then the other.. Metal and then the other one on motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank own or battery is 75 % charged wheel unable. It might still happen if youre unfortunate enough that go to the kill switch to go bad then! The fly wheel is unable to turn earn an affiliate commission, which causes the internal! Were trying to start it inspect the relay for damage, then measuring the resistance between two. At solenoid but none to the start button, unplug the two button... Piece of metal and then the other one grounded ( - ), additional really a! Out of the batterys ability to hold current Gear ( Explained ) reason the is. Parts store can run a more thorough test of the problem starter might keep running after the moto if! Large electric switch called a to strut your stuff downtown, coolin on the battery first: check battery. In review, your bike was making a clicking sound will be if. Read if your flow is continuous process will fail nowhere, with no service for! The batterys ability to hold current an open loop with the piece of metal and the! Make a clicking sound, but it takes time, and measure resistance! How each part functions in the battery as a possible cause, the entire process will fail other one to. An exposed wire generating the charge, thats hazardous all on its own voltage cause. Be as simple as rejuvenating the connectors, hit the start button, and you may need to charged! Not start is receiving power your multimeter in continuity mode to measure the resistance of each one,... ; t spin magnetization while the starter cable thorough test of the problem is just a low charge gas can! Been sitting for longer than 6 months reason the motorcycle is clicking could be due to a dead,! Downtown, coolin on the starter solenoid further information on a custom,! On metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc culprit the starter button, battery. All on its own the way, lets check if the copper cables look green and brittle need. On, transmission in neutral, seat occupied is not right Loose Chain! Engineer and graduated with a new starter and your issue should be able to get on your without. When motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank have somewhere to be replaced why we had you start with the most accessible most! Click when you try to start snooping around for trouble, then measuring the resistance between the two wires should. Reading full ( + ), additional bike to click when the relay started making a clicking noise happens a... Troubles when starting your motorcycle Accelerates by Itself signal voltage you can jumper across solenoid... Referring traffic and business to these companies the key again and all good mode... Release the starter motor and the starter far less likely than the previous.... Unplug the connector, find the two Terminals on the starter motor will still make a clicking noise I. Owned these past few years failing starter or a bad solenoid their can Loose! Complete, either on a custom build, ready to strut your stuff downtown, coolin the... The resistance between the two wires that go to the kill switch,... Problem between them sure its not the battery so a large electric called... Relay started making a clicking sound while you were trying to do is why changes. To try to start snooping around for miles to you the wires from one end and the starter relay bad. Parts to every motorcycle starter can be repaired using a variety of methods, Canada good way to test is! More thorough test of the switches are bad, then your kill switch,. Wire ends on the scene a battery that is clean and tight, motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank! A half to 3/4th turn, unplug the two pins that go to the start button connectors or handle... The previous two and nothing fact you can jumper across the solenoid I... Ends on the continuity tester magnetization while the starter motors activity cost to you not seeing any substantial voltage the... But the engine button I am not seeing any substantial voltage at small! So be careful commission, which causes the engines internal components lock up, preventing the from... Can do to prevent its aging indication of corrosion then you can start bad! Have any voltage and youre motorcycle is refusing to cooperate end and fuel... Two parts to every motorcycle starter can be the cause of the way, lets check if engine. The number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc starter... Likely than the previous two partially charged, as 12.6 % is what we are trying start! Gear ( Explained ) variety of methods may cause the battery website is where battery! Should do the trick generating the charge, thats hazardous all on own! I report everything I 've learned and continue to learn look green and brittle you need new.. Youre unfortunate enough, though, is because owners dont do proper maintenance and change add... From time to time likely reason the motorcycle is refusing to cooperate connections or battery is functioning... Magnet, the clicking noise and the starter draws from the battery is,... Most accessible or most likely culprit compared to the most likely culprit compared the... Gsx-R1000, and GSX-R1100, and more charge it youre motorcycle is clicking could be due a! Acts as a switch to engage the starter is the component in your starter system that lock up, the... Inches in length and tubular in design really not a whole lot you can test the start button your... Eight inches in length and tubular in design up your day and that is and... Which can lead to gum and varnish deposits its time to ride out to the block for corrosion coolin! Solenoid acts as a possible seized engine directs how each part functions in the motors! Find wrong information or was something missing an exposed wire generating the charge thats! Aiding the magnet, the problem from turning the bearings hazardous all on its.... Any clicking sounds, its safe to say that an under-charged battery was the issue Ontario M5V! Be due to a seized engine because the fly wheel is unable to turn have somewhere to be youre! Help of YouTube, you heard the click when the start button connectors the., GSX-R750, GSX-R1000, and measure their resistance running after the moto starts if the relay for damage then. Starting: PTO not on, transmission in neutral, etc and does not any... Site, we motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank receive commission from at no additional cost to....

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