Bike won't start

[Dragon on Wheels]

My bike was working fine last Thursday when I took it for a ride and filled up the gas tank. However, when I tried to start it yesterday, it would not start; pushing the ignition causes just one *click* sound and then nothing.

The battery is reading 12.65V or so, so that seems fine.

I did some research and I think it's either along the lines of the spark plug(or ignition area) or maybe water in the float bowls from fueling up(?).

I tried it again today and this time there was no *click* sound. I also noticed that the -neutral- and -check engine oil- lights which normally light up quickly at start up take a few seconds before lighting up. Now I think it's more in the electrical section, but not exactly sure which area.

I'm going to take a look at the spark plug and maybe try to drain any water out, but was wondering if anyone had any other ideas?

Thanks!

[jonnythan]

When you press start, the churning sound you (typically) hear is from the starter motor forcibly turning the crankshaft. While the starter is physically turning the engine, the engine is also injecting the fuel/air mixture into the cylinders and firing the spark plugs. If the plugs successfully ignite the incoming fuel/air mixture, the engine will begin turning itself over.

If you press the button and nothing happens, or you just hear a click, the starter motor is not cranking the engine.

The "click" you heard was probably the starter solenoid attempting to engage the starter to the flywheel of the crankshaft.

The problem is probably the starter. It may be a bad battery. Reading the open voltage with no load on the battery tells you nothing. Put the voltmeter across the battery terminals and read the voltage while holding the Start button.

[Dragon on Wheels]

I think it is as you said: something with the starter. Is that easy to fix? or is it something I should go to the dealer for?

It shouldn't be anything with the gas or carbs, right? because if it were, it should still crank (make the *click, click, click* noise several times)?

[jonnythan]

I think it is as you said: something with the starter. Is that easy to fix? or is it something I should go to the dealer for?

It shouldn't be anything with the gas or carbs, right? because if it were, it should still crank (make the *click, click, click* noise several times)?

Your starter is not turning. This is problem #1 and has nothing to do with fuel, carbs, air delivery, anything else.

This could be because of (in order of likelihood)

1) Bad/dead battery. Most likely IMO, especially because it stopped clicking.
2) Bad starter.
3) Some other electrical problem.


The obvious next step is to test the battery in some way. Either read the voltage across the battery while holding the start button, jump start from a car battery, or get the battery tested.

[flynrider]

Jonnythan is on the mark. There's no way this could be an ignition or fuel problem, since you have to actually get the engine turning over before they come into play.

You appear to be suffering a lack of electrical power. The fact that your neutral and oil lights are slow to come up, backs up that theory. Even though your battery reads 12.65 V static, that doesn't guarantee it's got juice. I'd second the recommendation to jump it from a known good battery. Also, check the battery connections, both at the battery and at the other end of the battery cables (should be a ground and a solenoid). If you have corrosion on the battery connections, then even a good battery will not be able to transfer enough juice to the starter.

[Dragon on Wheels]

Ok. I think I might have more problems than just the battery.

I took out the battery and connected the bike to a good one. Now, it cranks (makes a 'tat tat tat' noise), but it still doesn't start (no 'vroom').

It's strange to me since the bike was running fine 4 or 5 days before I tried it again earlier this week. It's quite frustrating; even though my bike is one of the cheaper ones, it's still a chunk of dough and for it to have so many issues

Is it common to have so many problems with a new motorcycle? I've only had this for one year and I've already had the battery changed once (the dealer finally changed it under the warranty). Which is why I didn't think it was the battery because they had said they put in a new, good one. But now it seems like this one isn't that good either. Unless there's something else in the motorcycle that is making my batteries go bad (?)

[Wrider]

Does the tat tat tat noise sound sharp? If it's a sharp noise it means the starter still isn't getting enough juice to turn the engine over. If it does make a kind of churning, grinding noise then make sure (and I've seen it done with riders with years of experience) make sure the petcock is on. If that's not the problem I'd pull the spark plugs to check for fouling and spark (let them rest against the engine block while trying to get the bike to turn over).

In answer to your other question, no it's not normal... If nothing else talk to the dealer in person, reasonably, telling them about all you've done and that you're not sure. If they're worth a lick they'll try to help you out.
Wrider

[honda750]

CHECK FUSES
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[BuzZz]

While your checking the fuses, check all the wiring connections from the battery to the starter and further down the system to the ignition , etc. A loose or corroded connection can restrict the power enough to cause the symptoms you have.

If that all checks out, you may need to have the starter and selenoid tested at a shop with the proper equipment. I agree with everyone else that it is not fuel or water on the ignition. It sure sounds like a electrical problem.

[Wrider]

Forgot to put this in earlier, but when you check the battery with a voltmeter, check it while you're trying to crank it too... If you're trying to crank it and it drops more than a volt it's time for a new battery, this one is dead...
Wrider