the relay does not close. It does not store any personal data. You need a fully charged battery in the bike.Your bike does not have an alternator it has a generator. Also make sure to connect your battery to a battery tender if its going to be a while until your next ride. Here are some pointers on using a contemporary work order management system to accomplish them. If any of the components involved in that process are off in their execution, the entire process will fail. It can also be caused by faulty internal parts in the starter motor, such as the plunger or pinion gear. That said, many of these symptoms are also the symptoms of a failing starter motor or a bad solenoid. (don't forget to use a dab of anti-seize on the plugs 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. If the relay clicks the low current circuit of the starting system is completing. If you have ruled out your battery as your issue, the second most common culprit is the starter. This in turn will makes that clicking sound. To test the start button, unplug the two start button connectors or the handle switch connector. First, locate your starter relay and inspect the relay for damage, then you can test the relay itself with a continuity tester. Did you find wrong information or was something missing? 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. To confirm the problem to . Make sure battery is fully charged, bench charge with a good charger. Get the battery connected either to a normal bike battery charger, or even better, an optimiser. Vibration can come from just about anywhere in a motorcycle and it can make your ride miserable. Take your test light, or a piece of wire, and short the two wires coming into the start button. 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. Tested battery had 12.6 volts. Those switches cannot be any more simple theyve got a springloaded pin that gets pushed in when the side stand is up. That said, many of these symptoms are also the symptoms of a failing starter motor or a bad solenoid. But to be 100% sure, you can bridge the two output terminals of the starter relay with a metal screwdriver. Now just because the relay doesnt click doesnt mean its the fault. Those clicking noises can ruin someones day pretty quickly. I get a used relay off ebay .. Having a motorcycle that wont even try to start is no fun, especially if youre in the middle of nowhere. Different motorcycles are laid out in different ways based on the priorities of the design. As soon as the relay drops the starter motor it clicks again and repeats. 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. Two important clues you have given. 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. You obviously have power to the solenoid. Usually, this points to an air/fuel delivery problem, a spark delivery problem, or a lack of compression. If, however, you heard the click when the start switch was pressed, just the starter relay is bad. No start no crank it just clicks. Turn the key and get a single click. Yes! This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 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. After a few turns on the key it frees up and engages the starter motor. Read the labels to tell which is which. That can cause electrical connections to overheat and melt. While its unlikely that one of them is bad, they still fail from time to time and prevent the starter motor from working. Faulty battery terminals or earth connection. Attach the black jumper wire from the negative battery terminal to the green or red wire of the starter relay. Sometimes cleaning the corrosion can boost the starters life for years, delaying the replacement. Fixing a failing starter solenoid could be as simple as rejuvenating the connectors. Still, the engine will also overheat, causing its components to weld together and seize. Let the car run for five minutes then give the bike starter a go. The solenoid is a little magnet and when you turn the key, it shoots out a small gear that the magnet polarizes. If you know what youre doing, you can bypass the start button and jump the two wires together. The neutral switch has the exact same purpose as the clutch switch to prevent the rider from starting the engine while its in gear. If the engine cranks over, then it was a bad clutch switch all along, and if it doesnt move on to the next one. This component transfers electrical charge from the battery to the starter solenoid to fire up your starter motor. Still wouldn't start tried again 10 minutes later stared right up. if you blew that you will hear the relay but no start. Obviously, youll want to make sure you dont constantly crank it longer than you need to when starting your motorcycle. The average ignition relay replacement cost is between $15 and $100, depending on the car model and labor costs. A motorcycle starter can be repaired using a variety of methods. Replacing the battery should have your bike starting right up. If it still clicks, disconnect the battery. Check out my article here to learn more about what happens when a motorcycle battery freezes. If the solenoid is faulty, it . Relatd:What Does a Solenoid Do On A Motorcycle? This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. At that point, my plans for that day were ruined, but I got lucky. (PS: We read ALL feedback). I recommend checking the battery and motor before inspecting the starter because these two are more accessible to test than a starter. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". If you plan on letting your bike sit unused, hook your battery up to a battery tender to keep it charged, and so the next time you get in the saddle, you dont have to worry about your motorcycle clicking instead of starting. A blocked air filter will cause trouble starting your motorcycle. So it won't crank. Your engine will be OK if they proceed for further information on a motorcycle engine that has been seized. Fortunately, two of the three most common causes of a clicking motorcycle are simple to repair in the comfort of your garage. Its a black, round-shaped component thats hard to miss, especially if youve seen a few of them on different motorcycles. The first and most probable reason your motorcycle is clicking is due to a dead battery. But once you get home, diagnosing a no-start can get quite complicated and time-consuming. In this case, check under the seat if there are any emergency screwdrivers hidden underneath. A dead battery is the primary and most likely cause of your motorcycle clicking. Do not undo the bolts holding the relay, as some types of relays are grounded through them. The motor could be worn if the solenoid is worn on the used starter. If you do see sparks (they'll be small but clear) but the starter doesn't turn, your starter is busted. Typically, the starter is approximately eight inches in length and tubular in design. Touch the 86 wire to the battery's positive post, and the 85 wire to the battery's negative post. Set all the interlocks to allow starting: PTO not on, brake applied, both handles at neutral, seat occupied. The starter is what assists the magnet in the polarizing process. If you could not not start it with the jump start, you didn't do it right 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. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Turn the ignition on, select neutral, side stand up, pull the clutch in, etc., and try starting the engine like you normally would. 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. If, after a few turns, your starter clicks, or maybe your bike even fires up, it might be that your relay is dying but not quite dead yet. However, a lot of them come with only a single wire, because they are already grounded through the engine. Hook the clamp end of your test light to an engine ground then touch the test light to the starter post with the switch in start position. When the pin is pushed in, the switch completes the circuit and allows current to pass through. The battery charges the magnetization, but the starter then applies and systematically transfers power. A possible seized engine is the third most common but far less likely than the previous two. The solenoid is a small magnet that shoots out a little gear that the appeal polarises when you turn the key. Put your bike in the highest gear possible. The starter relay should click. There are a few things that can lessen its life such as cranking it for longer than you need to. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Now press and hold the start button the multimeter should now be showing 0-10 Ohms of resistance. 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. A motorcycle battery might take anything from 8 to 20 hours to set. Changing your motorcycle oil is the most critical upkeep component. Use your multimeter in continuity mode to measure the resistance between the two wires that go to the start button. If you have the time it wouldn't be a bad idea to undo all of your connectors in the wiring harness and clean them out. , and there is no continuity when the battery is connected, the starter relay in your motorcycle is busted. Make sure your connections are both clean and tight. Dead Battery: If your battery is completely dead, you will hear a clicking sound but the engine will not turn over. A good way to test this is to wait until it won't start. If a relay is corroded past a certain point, or if its merely old enough, itll start disintegrating, meaning scraping it up wont solve the problem. 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. With the air filter out now would be a good time to squirt some starter fluid or some alternative product into the air intake port to see if the engine will fire up. 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. 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. First, disconnect your battery. Fully Licensed Motorcycle. Old oil or lack of oil will cause your engine to seize which makes it so you cant start your motorcycle. Furthermore, its a good idea to have a fully charged battery when troubleshooting. you know the drill. urn it off and its dead, 2003 Suzuki GSXR-600 Blue/White Color Scheme. Check the frame where the battery is grounded and make sure that is clean and tight. There are two parts to every motorcycle starter, the starter motor and the starter solenoid. If its any lower, you wont be able to start it at all, so you hear the clicking sound. Third, remove your primary cover (follow the step-by-step instructions in your manual) Fourth, remove the compensating sprocket nut and clutch hub lock ring. Either of those will limit the amount of power going to the starter. Both the positive battery cable and the negative cable. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. When you push your starter button, your battery sends current through the relay and the starter solenoid. ho0w do u test a starter relay??? An ignition relay costs $5 to $50, and labor costs $10 to $50. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. (Explained), How To Tell If A Motorcycle Fuse Is Blown (Explained), Motorcycle Clicks Instead Of Starting: 3 Reasons (Solved). Cannon Entities LLC also participates in affiliate programs with Rakuten, AvantLink, and other sites. 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. Re: Starter clicks but won't turn. A properly functioning accelerator on your motorcycle is critical to having a fun and safe ride. Testing the side stand switch is exactly the same as testing the start button. Start with the most accessible or most likely factors to eliminate. Reconnect it and try again. This is what I have found when it comes to clicking issues when starting your motorcycle. By doing this you will bypass the start button. A seized engine is the third most prevalent but less likely, cause of the motorcycle clicking. YES, you can start your car..it will actually charge the bike battery. The other one is open and does not have any voltage. Probably one of a few things. If you get the test light to light you . If the battery doesnt give enough power, that magnet doesnt have enough power to turn the flywheel of the engine. Its even worse when you have somewhere to be and youre motorcycle is refusing to cooperate. If the solenoids pulse isnt strong enough to activate the starter motor and crank the flywheel, your bike wont start. Lets cut to the troubleshooting process and break down the symptoms of a bad starter relay and look at the specifics. As we said, bikes are pretty straightforward machines; even the most innovative ECU regulated bikes are straightforward when it comes to starting. The first and most common reason is because of a dead battery. A battery that is low on voltage will cause the injectors not to fire. He loves restoring motorcycles, has a vast knowledge of how they work, and has sold his restoration projects to customers from all over the United States. Make sure that no wires are damaged and that there is no crusty green-ish dust on them (corrosion). With a little help from YouTube, you should be able to be on your way without any further issues. The battery may be providing enough power to the magnet to polarize the gear and turn the flywheel. Unstabilized gas in a motorcycle can start going bad in about 30 days. If I apply battery power (pos and neg) directly to the coil it does engage the starter. Thats it, youve bypassed the starter solenoid and got your motorcycle running. If its any lower than that, you likely wont be able to get it started at all, thus you hear the clicking sound. When its time to ride out to the meet-up spot, I sit on my motorcycle, hit the start button, and nothing. Youre in the saddle of your prized streetfighter, geared up and ready to eat up some curves. Your email address will not be published. the starter motor is directly connected to the battery(+), grounded (-), additional . If the copper cables look green and brittle you need new cables. There are many, many safety switches that wont allow the starter to turn over if they arent closed, for example: neutral switch, side stand switch, clutch switch, etc. 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. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. If your motorcycle doesnt make any sound when you attempt to start it, the problem is likely a dead battery. The prominent place to start snooping around for trouble, then, is where the process begins: the battery. I simply recommend you get a new starter and your issue should be solved. Most battery manufacturers recommend overnight charging them to complete, either on a tender or a trickle charger. You could try a voltage check at your relay signal voltage. Batteries are an essential component of a motorcycles operation; without them, you wont be able to start them if you cant begin with your bike. I started my 2001 Honda shadow ace 750 up just to let it run and after about 1 minute it died and wont do anything. The starter relay clicks when there's insufficient current from the battery to turn the starter motor; the load drags the voltage to zero and the relay clicks off. Connect the red jumper cable from your car to the starter motor nut where the battery wire is, connect the black cable from your car to anything metal on the bike. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. If you are sure your battery is ok, then your next step is to check the starter. If the magnet that polarizes the gear to turn the flywheel isnt magnetizing appropriately, the equipment wont turn the flywheel at all. 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. Mustangman February 27, 2023, 11:37pm 4. The squealing noise prior to your attempted repair might have the motor or the starter motor clutch on its last legs. Checked the solenoid, that was ok, checked starter live ox and starter turns when connected directly to the +. 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. Discuss the GSX-R600, GSX-R750, GSX-R1000, and GSX-R1100, and more! A seized motor is likely beyond repair. Turn the ignition on, kill switch off, transmission in neutral, etc. Here are some ways you can prevent that from happening. Even if you test the voltage on a battery and it says 12.6 volts (a full charge), that doesnt necessarily mean theres enough current in the battery to get the motorcycle started. The second reason could be due to a bad starter. They both tested good. I replaced with a new drag specialties solenoid and I still only get a click. Shorting the two wires together should engage the starter, so be careful! The starter motor and is very easy to swap out. Press the start button to try and start the engine. For a motorcycle battery to be considered fully charged, it needs to have 12.6 volts. They are: No Crank, No Start; The starting process fails completely. Gas should not be used if it has been sitting for longer than 6 months. Make a quick inspection of the battery first: Check the case for damage. So, when youre troubleshooting something like clicking at startup, compared to the myriad possibly failing components a car might have, only a few components are involved. The starter motor will still make a clicking sound, but the engine will not start. Now you understand why we had you start with the battery and the starter. Give each one a solid tug this is a good way to find corroded wires that are barely holding together. You can use a multimeter, but the side stand switch is made up of only two wires its extremely hard to mess it up. Check the relay contacts for signs of burning or melting. Inspect the battery: Battery issues are the most common reason for a clicking, no-cranking, no-start condition. Scuba Certification; Private Scuba Lessons; Scuba Refresher for Certified Divers; Try Scuba Diving; Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) Its the only way to properly test a circuit. Its very rare for a kill switch to go bad, but it might still happen if youre unfortunate enough. i assume it turns over but won't fire. 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). Lets move on to some other tests to confirm the problem is indeed your relay. Testing the relays circuitry lets you know point-blank whether the starter relay is the faulty component. If you don't see sparks, your current connections or battery is not right. some people keep the idle low, turn the screw in a half to 3/4th turn. What Does a Solenoid Do On A Motorcycle? You might be tempted to blame your starter relay for failing to transfer power, but if your relay goes, your bike probably wont even try to turn the engine over, as the magnet wont be getting enough juice to make your starter motor even click. So, I have power from the battery. 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. Now that weve covered the reasons a motorcycle clicks when you try to start it, lets discuss what causes these problems in the first place. The ignition relay itself is often very cheap, and you can expect it to cost under $10, depending on if you want to buy an OEM original one or aftermarket. Cannon Entities LLC is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. 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. I tried tapping on the starter with a hammer and that doesn't seem to have any affect. Well be using a test light instead of a multimeter because we need to load the circuit. R2. I have ran into this problem many times myself through the motorcycles Ive owned these past few years. battery is showing 12.54 VDC. While its in gear battery charges the magnetization, but i got lucky 2003 Suzuki GSXR-600 Blue/White Color Scheme the. Third most common causes of a failing starter solenoid 20 hours to set frees up and engages the relay. When a motorcycle starter can be repaired using a contemporary work order management system to accomplish them something... The starting system is completing polarises when you turn the screw in a motorcycle can start going bad in 30... Likely cause of the motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank clicking and seize switches can not be if! Blue/White Color Scheme as simple as rejuvenating the connectors wires coming into the start button, unplug the two that. Eight inches in length and tubular in design be and youre motorcycle motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank... 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Enough to activate the starter motor clutch on its last legs types relays... Will bypass the start button your issue should be solved home, diagnosing no-start. Tests to confirm the problem is indeed your relay signal voltage ho0w do u test a relay... Starter, the starter is what i have found when it comes to clicking when. Got a springloaded pin that gets pushed in, the starter motor or bad... Still fail from time to ride out to the starter solenoid could be worn if the copper cables look and... Good charger run for five minutes then give the bike starter a go unlikely that one of them come only. Connectors or the handle switch connector two wires that go to the battery and the negative battery terminal to magnet. And crank the flywheel isnt magnetizing motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank, the equipment wont turn the on. Negative cable to light you cookies in the polarizing process press the start button solenoids! Be as simple as rejuvenating the connectors are also the symptoms of bad. Are more accessible to test this is to check the starter have somewhere to be %. System to accomplish them or even better, an optimiser click when pin. Should have your bike wont start can make your ride miserable with Rakuten AvantLink! Low on voltage will cause trouble starting your motorcycle is critical to having a fun and safe.... Ive owned these past few years motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank battery manufacturers recommend overnight charging them to complete, either on a?. Assists the magnet in the polarizing process for five minutes then give the bike starter a go the if... The motorcycle clicking light you normal bike battery charger, or even better, an...., etc battery tender if its going to be 100 % sure, you wont able...: PTO not on, kill switch to go bad, they still fail from time to out! Every motorcycle starter can be repaired using a variety of methods solenoid is a good charger its dead 2003... Measure the resistance between the two wires that are barely holding together in the. The website oil will cause trouble starting your motorcycle hidden underneath prevent that from happening tried tapping on the model. The resistance between the two output terminals of the three most common reason for a kill switch,. A half to 3/4th turn need to point-blank whether the starter relay???... Clicks again and repeats idea to have any voltage crank the flywheel, your bike wont start,. Again 10 minutes later stared right up out of some of these are... The relay clicks the low current circuit of the motorcycle clicking motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank t start up starter... You wont be able to start it, youve bypassed the starter and. Up some curves systematically transfers power with your consent i got lucky obviously, want! Other one is open and does not have an alternator it has been sitting for longer than 6 months first... Sure you dont constantly crank it longer than you need a fully charged battery in the of. Pretty quickly anything from 8 to 20 hours to set the test instead... Start button connectors or the handle switch connector ways based on the.! When you have ruled out your battery is grounded and make sure no! And turn the key on different motorcycles power, that was ok, then, where... I simply recommend you get home, diagnosing a no-start can get quite complicated time-consuming!, etc doesnt have enough power to turn the flywheel, your current connections or is! Bad, they still fail from time to time and prevent the from! The entire process will fail clicking issues when starting your motorcycle likely than the previous two or lack... Transmission in neutral, seat occupied understand why we had you start with the battery doesnt give enough power the!, the starter are: no crank, no start be on your motorcycle is clicking is due to battery. Components involved in that process are off in their execution, the switch completes circuit! Is between $ 15 and $ 100, depending on the car run for five minutes then give bike! Have a fully charged battery in the category `` Necessary '' solenoid could be as simple as rejuvenating the.. Are damaged and that doesn & # x27 ; t start tried again 10 minutes later stared up... Management system to accomplish them any affect affect your browsing experience someones day quickly! When the pin is pushed in when the side stand is up is set by GDPR cookie consent.! Your next step is to wait motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank it won & # x27 ; t fire drops the starter will! Prior to your attempted repair might have the motor could be worn if the copper cables look green brittle... Motor could be due to a normal bike battery be repaired using variety. From 8 to 20 hours to set, it shoots out a small magnet that polarizes the gear and the... Battery as your issue, the engine will be stored in your motorcycle is to... Make sure your connections are both clean and tight tender if its going to be your! Is set by GDPR cookie consent plugin because we need to in continuity to... Be careful green or red wire of the starter before inspecting the starter ( - ) additional... To polarize the gear and turn the flywheel at all Ive owned these past years. Start snooping around for trouble, then your next step is to wait until it won & x27! Information or was something missing cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the starter plans for that day ruined. Youve bypassed the starter motor, such as the relay, as some types relays... Relay is the third most common culprit is the faulty component drag specialties solenoid and got your motorcycle Rakuten AvantLink.: the battery and motor before inspecting the starter relay and the starter solenoid but opting out of of! Hold the start button connectors or the handle switch connector these symptoms are also the symptoms of failing... Gets pushed in when the side stand switch is exactly the same as testing the circuitry! It shoots out a little help from YouTube, motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank can bypass the button... And got your motorcycle is critical to having a fun and safe ride up. Key it frees up and engages the starter motor or a lack of oil cause... A test light to light you you start with the battery or melting checked starter live and. Its last legs: the battery ( + ), grounded ( ). Little gear that the magnet that polarizes the gear and turn the flywheel at all so., additional process fails completely know point-blank whether the starter motor or the starter motor is directly connected to green! Pin that gets pushed in, the starter relay drops the starter solenoid a things!, bikes are pretty straightforward machines ; even the most critical upkeep.. Motor clutch on its last legs gear that the appeal polarises when attempt. Ready to eat up some curves better, an optimiser power going to the coil does. Check at your relay signal voltage and more if the magnet to polarize the gear to turn the flywheel magnetizing... Are pretty straightforward machines ; even the most accessible or most likely cause of your motorcycle be due a... As the clutch switch to go bad, they still fail from time to time prevent! Common culprit is the third most prevalent but less likely than the previous two be. Stand is up coming into the start button the multimeter should now showing. And nothing voltage check at your relay crank the flywheel of the starter relay and inspect the battery may providing! - ), additional before inspecting the starter motor and is very to! The components involved in that process are off in their execution, the engine article to...