Help - the bugger won't start

[JonF]

Can't get my GS850 to start. Battery is strong, kill switch to on, bike in neutral with side stand up. Won't turn over, just a clicking, sounds like a relay fluttering. I've checked the started relay, that's OK. Checked the sidestand switch, also OK. Seems to be losing current from somewhere. Some of the symptoms are distinctly odd. The fuel pump whirrs away, but not as strongly as normal. Warning lights are very dim, unless I flick the kill switch to off or put the stand down. Then they brighten up, but of course the bike won't start like that. The RID is resetting the clock to 00:00, and the rev counter needle has flicked round a few times. Any thoughts, anyone?

Cheers

Jon

 

[Septic]

The battery power is low mate thats what the clicking is
its the starter motor trying to ingage but not having the power to
spin the fly wheel.

 

[Womble]

Check the connections to the battery, the connections to earth and to the starter solenoid.

You say the battery is good - what tests have you done? Dodgy charger connections or battery could result in bad charging as well as poor starting.

 

[JonF]

Thanks chaps. I checked the battery with a meter, but that was open circuit voltage. It's on charge now - I'll see if it makes any difference. Funny thing is, though, it died after my journey home last night, which should have fully charged it. Will check the earth and starter solonoid.

 

[Womble]

How old is the battery? It sounds like a dead/dying battery and it may be dropping a cell.

Winter is a hard time for batteries in commuter bikes - using the lights and heated grips (if you have them), coupled with low speeds when in traffic, can mean that the battery isn't as well charged as you think.

 

[JonF]

Well, you guys were right. Battery knackered. Just goes to show how you can't rely on open circuit voltage to tell whether the battery is stuffed.

Cheers

Jon