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HELP!!! Why won't it start?!

Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2006 5:50 pm
by Bx RedBull
Ok so here's the situation:

Just put a new stock 90% charged battery in my '02 CBR F4i. Purchased the bike two weeks ago and had to charge original battery twice so I just decided to go with a brand new one and start fresh.

Popped in new battery today and have been off riding in half hour intervals about 3 times today. No problems.

Took it out tonight for a spin, then let the girlfriend practice turning in an empty parking lot and she dropped it while trying to manuever it into position :stupid:

On first glance, no major cosmetic damage and upon starting it up again, I got a sound unheard before...sorta like the bike was trying harder to start up. I then took it for a few circles around the neighborhood with no problems once moving.

However, upon shutting it down, and trying to restart her, I got nothing...and continued to get nothing upon several more attempts. I ended up having to coast it home in neutral.

I tried charging this NEW battery to no avail and when trying to start the bike I get absolutely nothing. It doesn't even attempt to turn over. Just the normal dimming of the headlight when starting. No clicking, no noise. The horn and lights all still light up.

Since I've been having somewhat of a battery issue I'm wondering could it be that or is something killing the battery life. Or, could something have caused this as a result of the bike being dropped. Perhaps something is loose somewhere. I'm due for my initial inspection within the next 3 days so hopefully they can tell me more but if I can't event start the bike I'll never make it to the shop in the first place.

PLEASE HELP! :confused:

Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2006 8:03 pm
by BuzZz
Check all your connections and fuses very carefully. Look for any wires running along the side that hit ground and may have been pinched between the ground and some part of the bike. If it's injected, there is probably a tip-over switch that cuts off the fuel pump when the bikes horizontal that may be messing with you, but I'd guess that just affects the pump, not the starter.

How long was it on it's side? Did all the acid drain out of the battery?

Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2006 8:25 pm
by Bx RedBull
BuzZz wrote: How long was it on it's side? Did all the acid drain out of the battery?
On its side for less than 15 seconds. I think I moved 0-60 in under 3 seconds once I saw it go down. So the bike wasn't down long at all. From what I noticed, there was no leakage or drainage from anywhere on the bike.

Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2006 8:46 pm
by BuzZz
Then your battery should be OK. check the battery cables, both ends and both polarities. And every other connections, wires, fuses and ALL grounds.

Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 8:41 am
by Tyrone ORourke
The best idea is to work rationally through all the possibilities.

Is the battery really the problem? Are all the other electrics working fine?

The fact that you get the dimming headlight means that some current is being drawn to the starter.
Maybe therefore the starter motor itself is having problems. I would suggest checking the starter solenoid.

An easy check if you have the possibility is to attach the battery(once you know the battery is good) straight to the starter motor terminals. It should spin, if it doesn't then you have a problem with the starter.

If you need to get to the inspection, can you not try to bump start her? Always works in times of emergency

Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 8:13 pm
by nike_soccer
starting relay or fuses id say.

Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 11:48 pm
by MotoF150
Ohhhhhhhh Hummmmmmm !!! I can't believe none of you guys figured that out!! I will save the day! Mr BxRedbull,, Your bike has an ecm thats programed to sence if the bike has dropped or tipped over, and I suggest that you find a good Honda Mechanic that won't BS you and he will know what to do. Thank You,

Posted: Fri May 26, 2006 12:20 pm
by CORSCO
MotoF150 wrote:Ohhhhhhhh Hummmmmmm !!! I can't believe none of you guys figured that out!! I will save the day! Mr BxRedbull,, Your bike has an ecm thats programed to sence if the bike has dropped or tipped over, and I suggest that you find a good Honda Mechanic that won't BS you and he will know what to do. Thank You,
The ECM does not "sense" that the bike was dropped, it is called a Bank Angle Sensor. I believe it is a mercury switch that kills the fuel pump once the bike gets past a certain angle. There is no "resetting" of this sensor. Just pick the bike back up.

I am seriously considering that Poll out on you.

Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 9:21 am
by BuzZz
MotoF150 wrote:Ohhhhhhhh Hummmmmmm !!! I can't believe none of you guys figured that out!! I will save the day! Mr BxRedbull,, Your bike has an ecm thats programed to sence if the bike has dropped or tipped over, and I suggest that you find a good Honda Mechanic that won't BS you and he will know what to do. Thank You,
To quote The Frantics...

Boot to The Head!!!

Your welcome.

Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 5:00 pm
by firepisser8104
BuzZz wrote: there is probably a tip-over switch that cuts off the fuel pump when the bikes horizontal that may be messing with you,
motof150 if you had read this was already brought up mr know it all!

I would start from the battery and work your way through all your wires. definitaly check the starter or the solonoid. I have had this problem weird as it sounds with a light bulb put in wrong or the wrong size headlight bulb too. Check everything.