Intermittent starting problem

[Louis101993]

Hey guys, got abit of a problem and hoping one of you people could help me out!

I have a intermittent starting problem, everyone now and again (2-4 weeks) I go too start my bike and it's a real slow start crank for a few seconds untill it just dies to a buzz.

It will start from a bump fine, runs fine, but if i cut it out and try start it, same old buzzing.

It generally seems to happen when my last ride out was in rain, and the latest time was very heavy rain.

If I recharge the battery it'll start fine for a varied period of time again.

Testing the alternator with a multimeters bring out a good strong voltage reading.

I'm not sure where to start, bad earth somewhere that discharged the battery when wet? Thats the only thing that I could think of.

Any help is much apperitiated, thanks in advance!

[darrsi]

Duff battery, simple as.......

[Dead Eye]

I agree with darrsi, sounds like the battery is the culprit here

[davedee69]

Yep, defo a battery issue, maybe a duff cell, check your voltage with multimeter when not running and running, would expect to see 12.6V when charged, each cell should hold 2.1V any less and probably a duff cell. Worth a check.

[red98]

yes as above.......also worth checking and cleaning all electrical connections and earths just to make sure  ....let us know how you get on 

[Louis101993]

I've only had the battery maybe 4-5 months, which is why I dont think it would be the battery already.

As mentioned above the alternator seems to work fine, battery is giving out a good strong 12.7-8v's.

Edit: Currently witnessing thunder storms, not quite the weather to go work on my bike.  :'(

[Louis101993]

Charged the battery for a good while yesterday and today I've done some electrical probing and I've come up with the following results:

No load - 12.8

Tickover no lights - 14.31

Tickover side lights - 14.27

Tickover dip bean - 14.1

Tickover main beam - 12.9

5k RPM no lights - 14.28

So it seems the charging system is fully functioning.

[CRH]

sounds to me like you got a faulty starter solinoid .....plenty on ebay for around a £10......

[red98]

sounds to me like you got a faulty starter solinoid .....plenty on ebay for around a £10......

me too..............

[Louis101993]

How would that explain it being only every so often? Now the battery's been charged it starts fine, but I'm going to have my fingers crossed next time there's a down pour and hope it holds up.

If not then I'll being looking further into this.

[CRH]

even though you have a fully charged battery!!...the solinoid can still be faulty??  so dont rule it out yet??

[Lawrence]

If it's the solenoid why does charging the battery temporarily fix it?  Wait til it does it again and then measure the battery voltage

[Louis101993]

If it's the solenoid why does charging the battery temporarily fix it?  Wait til it does it again and then measure the battery voltage

This is what I meant, although it could be water getting to the solinoid when it's wet.

I'll remember to check battery voltage next time it refuses to start.

Thanks for all the help I'm getting