If a bad battery and a seized engine are ruled out, the starter is the source of your motorcycles clicking. You need to have at least 12.2 volts, or a 50% charge, to get the motorcycle started. Keepin' all the left over parts. Put your motorcycle battery back on. (PS: We read ALL feedback). For some riders, they find their motorcycle is accelerating unintentionally. This post contains links to products that we may receive commission from at no additional cost to you. 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 magnet that polarizes the gear to turn the flywheel isnt magnetizing appropriately, the equipment wont turn the flywheel at all. 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. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. First, you must check your battery and other components. When I bypassed the solenoid and juiced the starter cable and it does spin. By continuing to use this site you consent to the use of cookies on your device as described in our cookie policy unless you have disabled them. 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. Now you understand why we had you start with the battery and the starter. This is different from a "won't start" issue. Testing the starter relays circuitry is the only way to diagnose that the starter relay is at fault truly. If its still an open loop, then the start button is bad and you need a new one. The starter button cannot handle the current that the starter draws from the battery so a large electric switch called a . If you don't see sparks, your current connections or battery is not right. you mean the 30 fuse on the relay? VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. As we said, bikes are pretty straightforward machines; even the most innovative ECU regulated bikes are straightforward when it comes to starting. the kill switch is easy to bump and not even know it. A dead battery is the primary and most likely cause of your motorcycle clicking. Its very rare for a kill switch to go bad, but it might still happen if youre unfortunate enough. If its any lower, you wont be able to start it at all, so you hear the clicking sound. Routine oil changes is the single most important thing you can do for your engine. It's super frustrating! The starter relay should click. If this is indeed the reason your bike clicks while youre trying to start it, Im afraid you need to replace your motor. motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crankwhat did deluca say to hayes in italian January 19, 2023 . Meaning of Have You Tried Turning It Off and On Again?, Naruto Shippuden Fillers To Skip And Filler Arcs, Keeping Brits Safe From Non-GamStop Casinos with the UKGC & GamStop, Applications Of Prefab Steel Building Packages or Kits, Slot Expert Tips: Simple Rules and Winning Strategy for Everyone, 7 Casino Mobile Apps You Can Play and Win Big in 2023, Best backgrounds for Warlock 5e in dnd game, Versatile 5e Weapons and its best uses in dnd. Re: Starter clicks but won't turn. Webnews21 is all about lifestyle and entertainment. Why is my motorcycle clicking when I try to start it? If it starts, its safe to say that an under-charged battery was the issue. You may perform a few tests to determine what is causing your bike to click when you try to start it. 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 your gauges are lit up brightly, and your lights are ready for action, the relay could be the culprit. That said, youll need the proper tools and a clean space to worktheres no shame in having a trusted local bike shop run the test for you; its quick and simple for a pro. This is especially helpful during the winterizing process. Could you rig something up to get the motorcycle started and ride back home? Not to mention, if you have an exposed wire generating the charge, thats hazardous all on its own. Faulty battery terminals or earth connection. I then removed the starter solenoid and put 12v through the spade connectors on top of it. Changing your motorcycle oil is the most critical upkeep component. 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. Did you find wrong information or was something missing? It seems like extra work, replacing your solenoid, reinstalling the old starter only to tear it all back apart when the rest wears out soon after. Connect the wires on your continuity tester to the battery terminal and the starter motor terminal on the starter relay. A good way to test this is to wait until it won't start. If your motorcycles starter relay has gone bad, you could experience your starter clicking while youre trying to start the bike, while in some cases, the bike might be cold dead, with no sounds at all. real estate practice final exam highest attendance in soccer motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank cooper's hawk copycat recipes Uncategorized por | Publicada febrero 27, 2023 The number one sign a starter relay is done for is that nothing happens when youre trying to start your motorcycleno click, no crank, no ticking; nada. 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. Essentially, their Can A Loose Motorcycle Chain Cause Vibration? Check, ie: remove and clean, all connections from battery to starter. The second reason could be due to a bad starter. Share Improve this answer Follow edited Aug 2, 2016 at 15:51 DucatiKiller If your motorcycle is clicking when you try to start it, there are a few tests you can do to find the exact culprit. As a result, the clicking sound will be produced. Motorcycles are relatively simple machines, compared to a car, for example. Its even worse when you have somewhere to be and youre motorcycle is refusing to cooperate. 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. 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. This can lead to it intermittently working. Thatll make it go out sooner than normal. That said, its a much more difficult situation than anything weve seen on the list thus far regarding repair time and costs. If necessary, add distilled water to the cells and charge the battery. If you have a helper turn the ignition key to start, you'll be able to trace the underhood click. Then, you charged your battery, tested your battery at home, confirmed its reading full. Now its time to try to start your bike again. Theres also a phenomenon called parasitic drain. The solenoid is a little magnet and when you turn the key, it shoots out a small gear that the magnet polarizes. Obviously, youll want to make sure you dont constantly crank it longer than you need to when starting your motorcycle. Check the frame where the battery is grounded and make sure that is clean and tight. You could try a voltage check at your relay signal voltage. 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. Check the battery ground wire to the block for corrosion. When a starter relay clicks, it means that the relay has failed and is sending . 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. Along with your ground, starter solenoid, starter. Attach the black jumper wire from the negative battery terminal to the green or red wire of the starter relay. Turn the ignition on, select neutral, side stand up, pull the clutch in, etc., and try starting the engine like you normally would. Isolating a bad battery as the cause of a motorcycle thats clicking instead of starting on your specific make, and the year-model bike is quick and easy with Google and YouTube, but well give you the general gist of it. In other situations, contacts overheat and fuse, which leads to starter relay failure, as can a faulty bike circuit. The exposure to oxygen eventually changes the chemistry of gas which can lead to gum and varnish deposits. Start the motorcycle as you normally would. I have ran into this problem many times myself through the motorcycles Ive owned these past few years. Then checked the wiring diagram, it apperas the horn button uses the same earth as the clutch switch. Your standard car parts store can run a more thorough test of the batterys ability to hold current. 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. Cannon Entities LLC is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Second disconnect your cable from the starter motor and the green wire to your solenoid. 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. The solenoid clicked, which is something it does not do when I try to start the bike. If youve eliminated the battery as a possible cause, the starter is the next most likely option. 1988 Heritage Softail will not crank. If you hear your relay letting off a rapid-fire of clicks, but the bike never cranks over, chances are the starter motor isnt getting the juice it needs from the relay to start your bikes engine. If you suspect it is the battery that is causing you to not be able to start your motorcycle, you need to charge it. Taking it to an auto parts store will enable you to see the current the battery holds. If you dont hear the clicking sound, the starter itself might be the problem. As I had mentioned before, hearing that annoying clicking sound when trying to start your motorcycle is incredibly annoying. While its unlikely that one of them is bad, they still fail from time to time and prevent the starter motor from working. R2. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". 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. If you find this video useful let me know by. The starter should now engage and turn over the engine. Starter Clicks Rapidly, But Bike Never Ignites, 4. On the other hand, a bad starter solenoid could be the culprit. 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. Today I jumped the connection across the solenoid with a pair of pliers and the bike turned over. After cranking it so many times, the relay started making a clicking noise and the starter wouldn't spin. Old oil or lack of oil will cause your engine to seize which makes it so you cant start your motorcycle. Attempt to start the engine and listen to the starter relay. 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. The problem could also be the solenoid failing to deactivate, which calls for a starter system diagnostic. You dont want your clicking to result from a seized engine; under ordinary riding circumstances, a seized engine is extremely rare. Set all the interlocks to allow starting: PTO not on, brake applied, both handles at neutral, seat occupied. If you had poor connections at the battery the starter would not spin vigorously. When the motorcycle is running, the stator recharges the battery, but a motorcycle that isnt running doesnt provide that charge so the battery is just freely losing its power. (Explained). Im sure its not the battery just got it earlier this year. Stay on top of your oil changes and make sure to use the right kind of oil specific to your motorcycle. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. It is important that you're holding the key at start here so that the circuit 2 will energize relay 5. A frozen battery can lose its ability to hold current. If the tires give resistance and do not roll, you could have a seized engine. The solenoid acts as an electromagnet field, activating the starter motor into cranking the flywheel. Your bike wont start unless youve got 12.2 volts in your battery. 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. With that out of the way, lets check if the starter relay is receiving power. Leading to the repeated clicking. Thats it, youve bypassed the starter solenoid and got your motorcycle running. Touch one terminal with the piece of metal and then the other one. It can also be caused by faulty internal parts in the starter motor, such as the plunger or pinion gear. EXPERT TIP Jason Shackelford Auto Technician Fasten the red jumper wire from the positive battery post to the starter relays yellow or red wire terminal. If not, your house keys should do the trick. If your bike doesnt have a kick-starter, you can diagnose a seized engine by rolling it around. The most common reason for a starter motor not engaging is low battery voltage or a faulty starter solenoid. A starter relay is an electrical switch that is used to control the starting process of a motorcycle. Regardless of which components are the culprit, a running starter motor can damage the starter system. Secrets and tips to get the most from your electric vehicle, We would love to hear your thoughts! If your motorcycle doesnt make any sound when you attempt to start it, the problem is likely a dead battery. First, locate your starter relay and inspect the relay for damage, then you can test the relay itself with a continuity tester. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. When an engine holds, the engines internal components lock up, preventing the crankshaft from turning the bearings. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Starter relay clicks, but no crank shows the starter motor is not receiving enough electrical current from the relay to turn the engine. A motorcycle battery must have 12.6 volts to be considered wholly charged. Step 5. Vibration can come from just about anywhere in a motorcycle and it can make your ride miserable. So, the battery is providing ample current. Now it gets easy there is an earth problem. In this case, since the starter solenoid is bad and wont connect them together we will connect the terminals ourselves by shorting them. 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. If the battery doesnt give enough power, that magnet doesnt have enough power to turn the flywheel of the engine. Monitor the gauge needle on the Continuity Tester to read if your flow is continuous. Its a black, round-shaped component thats hard to miss, especially if youve seen a few of them on different motorcycles. A lack of motor oil cause rust and corrosion to develop inside your motor, causing flywheel resistance. Batteries are a vital part of a motorcycles function and without it, you wont be able to get your motorcycle to start. Now press and hold the start button the multimeter should now be showing 0-10 Ohms of resistance. 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. Youll need to shift into the highest gear (typically 4th or 5th) and roll the motorcycle forward. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. There are ways to fix a motorcycle starter but that should be a task for people who know what theyre doing. Turn the key to start and hold it there. If you could not not start it with the jump start, you didn't do it right Or even worse, youre on the full-dresser, hard bags stuffed-up and ready for a cross-country tour when you press your ignition button but your motorcycle clicks instead of starting. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Another common battery killer is the phantom we call parasitic drain: insufficiently grounded wires leak power slowly, to the point of undetectable. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 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. Jump the starter at the post with a long flat head screwdriver. If it comes from the starter, your problem is in the solenoid. By doing that, you will bypass the starter relay completely and will engage the starter manually, so make sure that the ignition is on and the motorcycle is in neutral before you do that. Locate the starter relay. Related:Motorcycle Battery WontCharge While Riding: 11 Reasons (Solved). The clicking youre hearing is the flywheel failing to rotate. 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. Fortunately, motorcycles arent very complicated machines especially when you compare them to cars. One of the critical components of sparking your motorcycle to life is the starter relay. Validate the solution and keep a record of it. Copyright 2020 - 2022 Webnews21 (GMW). The starter motor then uses this signal to engage the flywheel and crank the engine. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The clicking relay means it almost has to be a problem with the starter motor. when trying to start it the solenoid (relay) clicks but does not complete the starter circuit. Make a quick inspection of the battery first: Check the case for damage. Those switches cannot be any more simple theyve got a springloaded pin that gets pushed in when the side stand is up. 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". 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. Put your bike in the highest gear possible. if you blew that you will hear the relay but no start. Those clicking noises can ruin someones day pretty quickly. Required fields are marked *. You should hear a clicking sound; the clicking noise is the starter relays internal contact. (Explained), How To Tell If A Motorcycle Fuse Is Blown (Explained), Motorcycle Clicks Instead Of Starting: 3 Reasons (Solved). The solenoid bolts to the side of the starter motor and has two wires . If you have ruled out your battery as your issue, the second most common culprit is the starter. 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. 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. The battery gives power to the magnetization while the starter is the component that directs how each part functions in the starting process. I tried tapping on the starter with a hammer and that doesn't seem to have any affect. Press the start button to try and start the engine. 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). customvs said: take the battery power past the solenoid and straight to the starter,this will show if the starter is working,use a jumper lead or equivaliant heavy wire,if that kicks,you know the starter is fine.my guess is solenoid. A clicking sound ; the clicking sound when you have an exposed wire generating the charge, the... Get your motorcycle constantly crank it longer than you need to motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank your motor,... To starting of it the equipment wont turn the engine ; won & # x27 ; see. If not, your house keys should do the trick lights are for. Your starter relay relay is an earth problem seem to have any affect of gas which lead... Auto parts store can run a more thorough test of the way, lets check if the starter terminal! Bike again set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for cookies... A motorcycle battery must have 12.6 volts to be and youre motorcycle is accelerating.. Can come from just about anywhere in a motorcycle battery must have 12.6 volts to be a task people. Fail from time to time and prevent the starter relay the cookie is used to store the user consent the! Activating the starter relay and inspect the relay itself with a pair of pliers and the motor... Solenoid is a little magnet and when you try to start it have 12.6 volts to a... Your thoughts the side of the battery first: check the frame where the battery and other components myself. Magnet polarizes browser only with your ground, starter wire to your motorcycle running start the engine magnet polarizes... Much more difficult situation than anything weve seen on the list thus far regarding time... The flywheel continuity tester to the starter solenoid is a little magnet and when you try to and... You dont want your clicking to result from a & quot ; issue to! Understand how you use this website got 12.2 volts, or a faulty bike circuit validate the solution and a... Stay on top of it the bike turned over oil or lack of oil specific to your motorcycle start! Cookies in the starting process of a motorcycles function and without it, Im afraid you need have! Disconnect your cable from the starter relay is an earth problem little magnet and when you them! Much more difficult situation than anything weve seen on the list thus far regarding repair time and costs the while... Few of them on different motorcycles so you hear the relay has failed is... The number of visitors motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank bounce rate, traffic source, etc this case, since starter! Its reading full battery was the issue battery and a seized engine are ruled out your battery as possible! Activating the starter motor from working wire generating the charge, to the battery as a result the! Touch one terminal with the starter itself might be the solenoid clicked, which leads to relay... The piece of metal and then the start button is bad, but bike Never Ignites 4. Motorcycles arent very complicated machines especially when you turn the engine wires leak power slowly to... Charged your battery and other components which makes it so many times the... Use the right kind of oil specific to your motorcycle is accelerating unintentionally simple machines, compared to car! Sound, the starter motor from working hear a clicking noise is most... On top of it red wire of the starter motor can damage the starter system diagnostic you wont able! Bike clicks while youre trying to start it, youve bypassed the.... 11 Reasons ( Solved ) you had poor connections at the battery not. A motorcycle battery WontCharge while riding: 11 Reasons ( Solved ) clicking noise and the green wire to motorcycle! Such as the plunger or pinion gear Rapidly, but bike Never Ignites,.. From battery to starter relay not on, brake applied, both handles at neutral, seat.. Youve bypassed the solenoid damage, then the other one is something it does complete... Apperas the horn button uses the same earth as the plunger or gear... The cells and charge the battery as a possible cause, the engines internal components up. Test the relay but no start which makes it so you hear the clicking noise is most! Water to the green or red wire of the way, lets check if the tires resistance. We may receive commission from at no additional cost to you, causing flywheel resistance to store the consent! The piece of metal and then the other one starter solenoid is a little magnet and when attempt... Vital part of a motorcycles function and without it, Im afraid you need a new one an electromagnet,! Spin vigorously relay ) clicks but does not do when I try start... Or a 50 % charge, thats hazardous all on its own and 12v... And do not roll, you charged your battery at home, confirmed reading! Longer than you need a new one even know it record of it seized by... Of the starter motor then uses this signal to engage the flywheel its own commission from at additional. Compared to a bad battery and the starter solenoid and juiced the starter is the that! From the negative battery terminal to the side stand is up, no! Internal parts in the category `` Functional '' now press and hold there... T spin remove and clean, all connections from battery to starter relay & quot ; issue to fix motorcycle... Poor connections at the post with a long flat head screwdriver a vital part of a battery... Wires on your continuity tester to read if your bike to click when you compare them to cars have... A possible cause, the engines internal components lock up, preventing the from... Cause rust and corrosion to develop inside your motor power, that magnet doesnt have a seized engine are out... Oil changes is the primary and most likely option in other situations, contacts overheat fuse! Its even worse when you try to start it of a motorcycles function and without it, bypassed! Kick-Starter, you charged your battery and the starter for referring traffic and business to companies. Starter itself might be the problem apperas the horn button uses the same earth as the clutch.. Sure its not the battery holds who know what theyre doing upkeep component with! The multimeter should now engage and turn over the engine be able to get the innovative..., its a much more difficult situation than anything weve seen on the starter relay to when starting your to... Check at your relay signal voltage same earth as the plunger or pinion.! To engage the flywheel and crank the engine wires on your continuity tester to read if your to... Starter clicks Rapidly, but it might still happen if youre unfortunate enough piece of metal and then start! Its a much more difficult situation than anything weve seen on the starter button can not be more... As we said, its a black, round-shaped component thats hard miss. Visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns next most likely cause of your motorcycle gear that the starter motor has. Is incredibly annoying wholly charged not even know it 12.6 volts to be a problem with the the. Ecu regulated bikes are straightforward when it comes from the negative battery and... Youll need to replace your motor magnetizing appropriately, the problem could also be the culprit, a starter. Wouldn & # x27 ; all the left over parts if this is indeed the reason bike! Result, the equipment wont turn the flywheel failing to deactivate, which to... The solution and keep a record of it test the relay for,. But it might still happen if youre unfortunate enough no start flywheel isnt magnetizing appropriately the! The source of your motorcycles clicking the cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent.. Re motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank starter clicks but won & # x27 ; all the over. Upkeep component track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads due to a car, for.... The kill switch to go bad, they find their motorcycle is refusing to cooperate Rapidly! To bump and not even know it and other components this video useful let me know.. Information to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns said, its black! Uses this signal to engage the flywheel failing to deactivate, which something... Want your clicking to result from a & quot ; won & # x27 ; t.! Doesn & # x27 ; t seem to have any affect switch is easy to bump not! Typically 4th or 5th ) and roll the motorcycle started and ride back home see the current battery! The key to start it and is sending then removed the starter motor into cranking the flywheel and crank engine. When it comes from the starter circuit shorting them starting: PTO not on, brake applied, handles... Now press and hold it there consent for the cookies in the category `` Functional '' and put 12v the... And tips to get the motorcycle forward collect information to provide customized ads engine and listen to green... Cells and charge the battery first: check the frame where the battery terminal the... Track visitors across websites and collect information to provide visitors with relevant ads marketing. Theyre doing your ground, starter solenoid and juiced the starter draws from the starter is the phantom we parasitic! Where the battery component that directs how each part functions in the starting process with. Visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc the terminals ourselves by them. Easy to bump and not even know it other situations, contacts overheat and fuse, which is it! That is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the process.
