starter or battery?

[darrenptalbot]

My bike is stranded in London, and won't start.

Is there an easy way to tell if it is battery or starter?

I had a small 'deep water' incident on Monday, which involved plugs out etc etc Since then, the starter has sounded 'crunchy', and even starting with optimate plugged in, resets the clock. It will also only start once or twice before needing re-charging.

Ive got a new battery to pick up this evening, to get me back home to Somerset, but would be very grateful of any advice about how to check if it is the battery, rather than the starter.

I've only got access to the tools in the 1100 toolkit!

 

[cookie]

sounds like you tried to start the engine when it was full of water?

if so, the starter (and more) may well be broken

 

[Welshman]

And before the incident? Sounds like starter magnets to me

 

[darrenptalbot]

Before, all was fine.

Bike runs ok, has done 120 miles this morning, just won't restart due to battery or starter issue, hence the question ....

Is there an easy way to check what one it is?

 

[Timolgra]

Before, all was fine.

Bike runs ok, has done 120 miles this morning, just won't restart due to battery or starter issue, hence the question ....

Is there an easy way to check what one it is?

Will it jump start?

 

[darrenptalbot]

Yep

 

[Roadcaptain]

could be starter shorting out causing the dash blank

if you have no tools at home I am happy for you to come and use mine

 

[Timolgra]

Yep

good chance it's your battery then

 

[AberdeenAngus]

wot he said

 

[darrenptalbot]

Hope so, going picking one up after this meeting .....

Looking forward to fitting it on the roadside in my suit ....

Thanks guys

 

[darrenptalbot]

could be starter shorting out causing the dash blank

if you have no tools at home I am happy for you to come and use mine

Thanks, but reason I only have bike tools is 'cause I'm in London, tools in Somerset

 

[metropolis2k]

Where are you in London?

 

[darrenptalbot]

Bollocks. It's not the battery, but at least I got it back to Somerset.

Time to order a new starter

 

[ghiribizzo]

Tim asked if it would jump start. You confirmed it did. Therefore battery.
Ever wondered why those big cables with croc clips are called Jump Leads?
I presume you mean running with bike and jumping on got it started? That's a bump start...
So if it doesn't start with jump leads but push starts, yes - check starter+relay. But those guys gave you good advice based on your statements.

 

[darrenptalbot]

It does jump start. New battery on, same problem, therefore not battery.

It might be a shock, but people other than you know what a bump start is, and it wasn't bump started, but did jump start.

Not entirely sure why you've got out of bed the wrong side, and are being such a sarky git, as I wasn't blaming anyone, just not particularly chuffed at having to buy a starter, when I also thought it was the battery.

 

[Grizzly]

Alternator Charging?

Ok, you say it start ok with jump leads & it starts ok with the battery charged up - old & new. So what about the alternator? - is it charging the battery?No point buying a new starter when the one you have works fine as long as the battery's charged.
What voltage are you getting across the battery terminals with the engine running at say 3000rpm?

Cheers.......Grizzly.

 

[columbus]

Strip & clean the starter and connections before buying another. It could be all it needs and it won't cost anything

 

[darrenptalbot]

I'll check the voltage tomorrow.

Even with new fully charged battery, will only just turn engine, and the starter is cruching & grinding.

My guess is that I shagged the original battery, and the starter is goosed too

 

[darrenptalbot]

Strip & clean the starter and connections before buying another. It could be all it needs and it won't cost anything

Ok, will try that first!

 

[darrenptalbot]

sounds like you tried to start the engine when it was full of water?

if so, the starter (and more) may well be broken

And the prize for first correct guess goes to Cookie!

New one due tomorrow, life should return to normal after that ....