Non starter

[Beagood]

OK, so I accidentally flattened the battery by leaving on the parking lights at the weekend. Had to remove the battery to charge it (bike chained up in the street). Gave the battery a full charge - it's a healthy two-year-old Odyssey and put it back in the bike this morning, buttoned everything up and switched the ignition, RID lights up all seems fine. Thumb the starter and the starter spins but won't turn the engine over. Tried rocking it to and fro in gear but I don't think that helped (probably as I am a lightweight Tosser...)

Any ideas?

 

[Black Rooster]

check the voltage across the terminals of the battery when in bike and report back

is the fuel pump priming ?


i take it you dont have an alarm / immobiliser fitted ?

 

[Beagood]

Thanks for the quick response, fuel pump is priming and no alarm/immobiliser. I'm pretty sure the voltage is fine but will check anyway; if it was low wouldn't it just 'clack' or just turn over slowly? Feels like the starter is spinning hard but not engaging - could it be the sprag clutch?

 

[deaninkl]

If the starter motor is spinning but the engine not turning over the starter motor drive is not engaging, odd that that could happen after the battery drains. Butter check that the starter motor is real turning.

 

[Steptoe]

Give the starter motor a thump with something substantial.

 

[alistairl]

Give the starter motor a thump with something substantial.

+1
Spinny bit working, need the wee slidey bit with the teeth to move and engage with the big turney bit with the teeth.

 

[Beagood]

Give the starter motor a thump with something substantial.

Roger that. I'll try the family bible, it worked on my ganglion.

 

[Beagood]

+1
Spinny bit working, need the wee slidey bit with the teeth to move and engage with the big turney bit with the teeth.

Thanks Alistairl - someone who speaks my language...

 

[Beagood]

Turns out it was the battery... thought it was a good excuse to buy that ammeter before I took to it with a lump hammer Neil... After an overnight charge the battery was only holding 10V and didn't have the grunt to deploy the wee slidey bit

Thanks for your input all