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Electrical problem?Starter?Solenoid?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Chris P
  • Start date Start date
C

Chris P

Guest
After having starting issues with the bike for some time I finally rebuilt the carbs, swapped out the battery for a new one, and changed the spark plugs. When I went to start it up, she rumbled a bit with the starter button pushed in but just wouldnt turn over on her own. After a few failed attempts she stopped rumbling and all I could get was a clicking noise from the starter solenoid. I am new to working on the electrical system of my bike and im looking for a step by step on electrical troubleshooting or suggestions as to the problem. (82 GS650E)
 
Sounds simply like your battery is discharged
When you say 'new battery' was it properly commissioned prior to installing?
 
as far as commissioned goes, I poured in the proper amount of acid according to directions,charged it over night (over 12 hours), checked voltage, registered around 12.6. and then installed the battery. Like I said, the bike started to turn over, just wouldnt go all the way, and then, click, nothing. Ive since checked the voltage on the battery and it is around 12.5. Im assuming the battery is in good shape, doing some research, has lead me to believe I could have a bad ground connection somewhere. I will start with that. Im just looking for some basic wiring information. Is there another way for me to check the battery? Should I just put it back on the charger and see if I can get more voltage out of it?
 
A quick check would be to look at the battery voltage while pushing the starter button.

If it goes below 10 volts, your battery is no good.

.
 
Try using a NON running car to boost your battery (i.e. jump it)- if starter cranks nicely then, your new battery is likely NG. Coming off 12 hour charge, most batteries would show 12.8 to 13 volts briefly- make sure your charger puts out at least 13.5 volts towards battery (this is needed to overcome internal battery resistance)
 
Thanks for the vote of confidence in the battery, and also for the Quick Test link, those stator pages are a little confusing to a new guy. I will be going over the basic connections, battery to starter solenoid to starter motor, and checking my grounds. Thanks again guys
 
D'Ecosse said:
:confused: I would say 11.6 with just one headlight is pretty poor. I have over 12V with twice the current.
Click to expand...

I must be 1/2 asleep( I'm on the side of the road in AZ taking a break) Yes the lower limit I have in the QT is 12.2v so it is low and probsbly just somewhat discharged.
 
Really?! I guess ill check my tender and charge the battery a bit more. Everything is worth trying twice.
 
Chris P said:
Really?! I guess ill check my tender and charge the battery a bit more. Everything is worth trying twice.
Click to expand...

Don't know for sure, but I thought a tender was just for maintaining a charge. Don't you need an actual charger to set-up a new battery?
 
Just read up on my battery tender, through some technical jargon i basically got that the new battery should be on the tender/charger for about 48hrs. Good looking out jsandidge
 
jsandidge said:
Don't know for sure, but I thought a tender was just for maintaining a charge. Don't you need an actual charger to set-up a new battery?
Click to expand...
No, virtually all of the "tenders" available today are just sophisticated chargers.

They will charge the battery at anything from 0.7 to 1.5 amps (depending on the model), then, as the battery approaches full charge, will hold a set voltage and taper off the amps. When the battery has reached full charge, it will shut off, but keep monitoring battery voltage. If the battery loses enough voltage, it will turn back on to top off the battery.

Even the best of "automatic" chargers will only taper off the charge, but not stop it completely, so they can boil a battery dry by over-charging it.

With a manual charger, over-charging is pretty much guaranteed, if you leave it on there long enough.

.
 
My 2 cents

My 2 cents

If the battery is good and solenoid clicks seem like just poor or dirty connection some where.
 
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