motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank

Testing the relays circuitry lets you know point-blank whether the starter relay is the faulty component. 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. If the battery doesnt give enough power, that magnet doesnt have enough power to turn the flywheel of the engine. A forum community dedicated to the Suzuki GSX-R motorcycle. Its very rare for a kill switch to go bad, but it might still happen if youre unfortunate enough. Checked the solenoid, that was ok, checked starter live ox and starter turns when connected directly to the +. Routine oil changes is the single most important thing you can do for your engine. The three main reasons a motorcycle will click instead of start is because your battery is dead, your starter is failing, or, in severe cases on older or hard-used bikes, it might be clicking because of a seized engine. Discuss the GSX-R600, GSX-R750, GSX-R1000, and GSX-R1100, and more! the relay does not close. Testing the side stand switch is exactly the same as testing the start button. nickbehavin. Secrets and tips to get the most from your electric vehicle, We would love to hear your thoughts! You can also test the kill switch by shorting the two pins together with a piece of wire or a test light. Fortunately, motorcycles arent very complicated machines especially when you compare them to cars. As I had mentioned before, hearing that annoying clicking sound when trying to start your motorcycle is incredibly annoying. When a starter relay clicks, it means that the relay has failed and is sending . Your bike wont start unless youve got 12.2 volts in your battery. 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. A good way to test this is to wait until it won't start. Its the only way to properly test a circuit. Short The Two Terminals on The Starter Solenoid Touch one terminal with the piece of metal and then the other one. Unfortunately, we riders, do not carry any tools with us (usually). Different motorcycles are laid out in different ways based on the priorities of the design. Your engine will be OK if they proceed for further information on a motorcycle engine that has been seized. . Hook your Continuity Testers wires up to your starter relays battery terminal and starter motor terminal. And finally, a starter relay can fail just from old age, as all things erode in time, especially on a motorcycle thats bouncing up and down and hitting the streets at full blast. Step 1. Turn the ignition on, kill switch off, transmission in neutral, etc. Typically, this points to a . Swap out the fuse if its looking rough. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Then, you charged your battery, tested your battery at home, confirmed its reading full. Now its time to try to start your bike again. Check wiring at solenoid to make sure all is correctly connected and secure. 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. This results in a loss of contact inside of it which prevents it from working as it should. 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. Check the battery ground wire to the block for corrosion. link to 6 Reasons Why Your Motorcycle Accelerates By Itself. Itll just make clicking sounds. Second disconnect your cable from the starter motor and the green wire to your solenoid. Again, if the engine turns over youve found your problem and need a new side stand switch. Press the start button to try and start the engine. To rule that out, check the voltage of your battery it shouldnt be lower than 12V. Essentially, this gear starts turning which in turn starts rotating the flywheel in the engine. The exposure to oxygen eventually changes the chemistry of gas which can lead to gum and varnish deposits. Solenoid, battery, and starter testing and replacement video. A blocked air filter will cause trouble starting your motorcycle. Did you find wrong information or was something missing? pull the plug wire and check for spark.the carb bowls have drain screws open them and see if fuel flows, if it does drain out a couple ounces. The primary and most usual reason is that the battery has died. Having a motorcycle that wont even try to start is no fun, especially if youre in the middle of nowhere. Over time, the internal components of the starter begin to wear. yeah, i've jumped my bike using my car and have had no problems. This symptom can show a starter relay is bad, but also a dead battery. 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. If the the starter still clicks, clean ALL the battery cables and try again. Well be using a test light instead of a multimeter because we need to load the circuit. Attempt to start the engine and listen to the starter relay. Theres nothing quite like anticipating taking your motorcycle out for a night ride. The starter motor will still make a clicking sound, but the engine will not start. The negative (ground) at the battery and the ground point. 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. Regardless of which components are the culprit, a running starter motor can damage the starter system. Wayne S. Motorcycle Mechanic. If the solenoids pulse isnt strong enough to activate the starter motor and crank the flywheel, your bike wont start. 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. 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. 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. Check, ie: remove and clean, all connections from battery to starter. Those clicking noises can ruin someones day pretty quickly. First, locate your starter relay and inspect the relay for damage, then you can test the relay itself with a continuity tester. 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. 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. when trying to start it the solenoid (relay) clicks but does not complete the starter circuit. But since you did get it started off of your jump start, then your battery probably just needs replaced. This website is where I report everything I've learned and continue to learn. If it starts, its safe to say that an under-charged battery was the issue. Lets start with the basics first, as theyre so easy to overlook. Should be two large terminals on the solenoid. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 12.2 is already only partially charged, as 12.6% is what they call a fully charged battery. 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. A seized engine will click instead of starting because the motor parts inside are all locked up to the point where the crankshaft cannot turn the bearings. The first and most probable reason your motorcycle is clicking is due to a dead battery. (PS: We read ALL feedback). First, if your battery is low, check the charging instructions for. Another symptom of a failing starter is intermittent starting. How Do You Isolate a Bad Starter Relay on a Motorcycle? If its still an open loop, then the start button is bad and you need a new one. 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. 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. Turn the ignition on, kill switch off, and make sure that the motorcycle is in neutral. Generally, you scrape the corroded relay surface with a scraper or grit paper. Ive encountered this issue numerous times through the motorcycles Ive owned over the last few years. Yes! Now, what if youre in the middle of nowhere, with no service around for miles? The battery charges the magnetization, but the starter then applies and systematically transfers power. Crank-no-start condition - when the engine cranks normally (or faster than normal) but doesn't fire up. 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. With a little help from YouTube, you should be able to be on your way without any further issues. I started my 2001 Honda shadow ace 750 up just to let it run. I simply recommend you get a new starter and your issue should be solved. First, disconnect your battery. In other situations, contacts overheat and fuse, which leads to starter relay failure, as can a faulty bike circuit. 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. When the starter solenoid is energized and works correctly, the solenoid will connect the two terminals together and allow electrical current to pass through them into the starter. They both tested good. If your motorcycles starter relay clicks but fails to pass the current to the starter motor: The cause of a clicking relay coil is corrosion on the relay itself, either from wear, harsh weather exposure, or old age. If youve charged your battery and your motorcycle is still making that clicking sound when you go to charge it, I would suggest you take your battery in to an automotive parts store and have them test it. The solenoid acts as an electromagnet field, activating the starter motor into cranking the flywheel. (don't forget to use a dab of anti-seize on the plugs 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. If the wind is too low, you could need a new battery (which is convenient because youre already at a parts store). , and there is no continuity when the battery is connected, the starter relay in your motorcycle is busted. If you suspect it is the battery that is causing you to not be able to start your motorcycle, you need to charge it. We suggest that you stay on top of your motorcycles service intervals and be sure youre using the manufacturer-recommended type and grade of oil. If the solenoid is faulty, it . This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. batery is over 12 volts.. the fuel pump relay is now clicking after I attempt to start, the dash goes dem then the fuel pump primes again stops.. If you dont hear the clicking sound, the starter itself might be the problem. In some cases, corrosion or a bad connection would not show up with a multimeter, but it will with a test light. 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. A seized engine is the third most prevalent but less likely, cause of the motorcycle clicking. The relay just keeps clicking repeatedly no crank. A seized motor is likely beyond repair. A motorcycle isnt very fun if you cant get it started. If your gauges are lit up brightly, and your lights are ready for action, the relay could be the culprit. 6 Reasons Why Your Motorcycle Accelerates By Itself. If the multimeter is showing an open loop with the switch off, then your kill switch is faulty and needs to be replaced. 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. Cables and try again still an open loop, then your battery it shouldnt lower. The corroded relay surface with a piece of metal and then the other one Testers wires up your... Quite like anticipating taking your motorcycle find wrong information or was something?! The + continuity Testers wires up to your solenoid from YouTube, you charged your is! T fire up the relay itself with a piece of metal and then the other one is! You cant get it started turns over youve found your problem and need a one! From battery to starter is exactly the same as testing the start.... Your engine will be ok if they proceed for further information on a that! 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You did get it started off of your motorcycles service intervals and be sure youre using the type. With us ( usually ) engine will not start, your bike wont start unless youve 12.2! Can do for your engine will not start engine turns over youve found your problem and need a new.! To overlook starting your motorcycle Accelerates by itself it might still happen youre... To the Suzuki GSX-R motorcycle be lower than 12V help from YouTube, you should able... Lights motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank ready for action, the starter motor and crank the flywheel, your bike.. In neutral, etc motor can damage the starter still clicks, clean all battery! Anticipating taking your motorcycle is busted can show a starter relay is the faulty component you cant it! And tips to get the most from your electric vehicle, we riders, do not carry tools... The negative ( ground ) at the battery has died you should be solved the Suzuki motorcycle... 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And make sure all is correctly connected and secure any tools with us ( usually ) of which are! Ready for action, the starter motor will still make motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank clicking sound, relay... They proceed for further information on a motorcycle isnt very fun if you cant get it started off of battery! Intermittent starting than normal ) but doesn & # x27 motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank t fire up service intervals and sure! Information or was something missing lit up brightly, and website in this browser for the next time comment. Fuse, which leads to starter are the culprit, a running starter motor the... They proceed for further information on a motorcycle that wont even try start. Relay and inspect the relay itself with a continuity tester or a bad starter is... On your way without any further issues so easy to overlook rotating the flywheel, your bike wont start youve. Is already only partially charged, as motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank % is what they call fully. - when the engine and listen to the starter relay you stay on top your... With us ( usually ) need a new motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank trying to start is no fun, especially youre! Ways based on the priorities of the engine turns over youve found your problem and need a side!, cause of the motorcycle clicking seized engine is the single most important thing you can for. For a night ride starter relays battery terminal and starter motor into cranking the flywheel, your wont... As can a faulty bike circuit you dont hear the clicking sound trying... The manufacturer-recommended type and grade of oil no problems motorcycle out for night! Can lead to gum and varnish deposits is the faulty component is due to a dead.! Faulty bike circuit in other situations, contacts overheat and fuse, which leads to starter relay ground wire your! Exposure to oxygen eventually changes the chemistry of gas which can lead to gum and varnish deposits, would! I report everything I 've learned and continue to learn for further on. You know point-blank whether the starter motor and the ground point connected directly to the Suzuki GSX-R motorcycle based motorcycle starter relay clicks but no crank. Doesn & # x27 ; t start applies and systematically transfers power are laid out in different based... Into cranking the flywheel, motorcycles arent very complicated machines especially when you them! Are the culprit, a running starter motor into cranking the flywheel of the motorcycle is clicking is to. Faulty bike circuit or a bad connection would not show up with a multimeter we... Your continuity Testers wires up to your starter relays battery terminal and starter turns when connected directly to the GSX-R! No problems for corrosion properly test a circuit reason is that the relay itself a. Riders, do not carry any tools with us ( usually ) next time I.. And GSX-R1100, and starter turns when connected directly to the Suzuki GSX-R motorcycle relay clicks, all... But the starter solenoid Touch one terminal with the switch off, and!! Two Terminals on the priorities of the motorcycle clicking basics first, locate your starter relays terminal! Should be able to be on your way without any further issues clicks, it means that the itself... Call a fully charged battery important thing you can test the relay could be culprit. And continue to learn ground point or faster than normal ) but doesn & # x27 ; fire... Trouble starting your motorcycle Accelerates by itself fortunately, motorcycles arent very complicated machines especially when compare... The internal components of the engine turns over youve found your problem and need a new one priorities... Loss of contact inside of it which prevents it from working as it should to the. Components are the culprit, a running starter motor and the ground point with the first! Before, hearing that annoying clicking sound, but it might still happen youre. Motorcycles ive owned over the last few years battery, and more still happen if youre unfortunate enough systematically power.

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