Battery? Nope! Part 1

[Mad Dog]

Okay, went shopping and loaded the panniers up, filled my back pack and tank bag. On the way to load up on gas and buy a case of beer I stalled the engine. Into neutral, waited for the system to cycle and hit the starter. No joy, just a weak kick and then nothing. Pushed off the road and into a parking lot, tried again and it seemed the battery was weak as no starter movement. Lights and stuff were fine though. Tried to push start as the engine was a bit warmed up, but no luck, even after removing everything. Loaded everything back on, pushed over to a parking structure and tried to push the beast up a ramp.....hahahahaha, that was surely a productive moment!. Unloaded everything next to the entrance to the ramp, pushed again and probably got about 15 to 20 yards before gravity really began to work. reversed to get some momentum in pushing the bike back up the ramp, hit the key, coasted down a bit, and successfully bump started it!!! Let it run at about 3500 until I could load everything back on, went to get gas and beer, checked to see if it would start before loading the beer on....ok....loaded the beer and no joy again. However, a couple of more pushes on the button got it running again. Got home safely, put the thing on a trickle charger and tried it again in a couple of days. No joy! let me go to part 2 on this.....

[Mad Dog]

Pt 2. So, I am thinkin bad battery. Look through the forum to find good tips on pulling the battery with the least amount of hassle. And yes, i have very few problems with just removing the bottom fairing and loosening up the big fastener above it and a bit on the fasteners near the handlebars. Got the battery out, checked the voltage and it seemed good, took it to a major parts dealer after calling to see if they had a replacement, gave them the old one to test and despite being able to take my 23,000 yen on the spot (about $290 now), they came back with the battery and said it was fine....healthy is what he said. So, take it back, through everything back together within 30 minutes (I won't count the well nut that took me another 20 minutes of fuddling and fiddling until I just switched it from the upper front to the one that faces up at the back of the fairing, giving me a straight shot), and fired it up first time. Okay, so lets give this a try later on. I wait a few more days without the trickle charger, and try again. First push gets the starter moving a bit and then stops. Next push is just dead. Interesting thing is, there is no drain on the system as the lights don't dim.
Question. Does this sound like the started switch to anyone. I sprayed some silicon in their to help with the connection when I tried earlier, but nothing worked this time. I have had this happen before during a ride, where the engine stalls (just out of LO on the temp gauge) and the started button doesn't get me anything. A few pushes later, things fire back up strongly. Plan to take the switch assembly apart on the weekend unless someone has a better suggestion.

[rhubarbray]

Sorry, but my first thought was $290 to test the battery?!!? Holy ...........!!

Ray

[Gearbox]

Try bypassing the starter switch mechanism direct from battery to starter motor.
I think you mean they 'could' have taken your money but were honest enough to tell you your battery was good to go ?

[Johnny]

Could be 10's of things,

I would check the;

Starter switch
Cut out switch
Any sidestand bypass switch fitted
Starter solenoid
All battery and earth connections
Main connector on LH side

[Mad Dog]

I inferred that they could have said the battery was a goner and that I should buy a new one. Will probably test in an order similar to what Johnny posted, but really curious if anyone has had a similar problem seemingly centered on the switch.

[tonered]

I had a problem with my starter switch, but it just didn't work. It definitely wasn't intermittent.

I took it apart and sprayed some contact cleaner (brake cleaner) on it while working it in and out. It has been good for some time now.

I don't think silicon spray and electrical bits work well together.

Jumpering across the selenoid is a good idea to try. Also, check that the switch connector on the back of the selenoid is firmly attached. I, and many others, have routed a ziptie through this connector as insurance.

Have a good one.

[ChrisM]

I agree with Tonered. I think the plug that goes into the starter soliniod is loose. Happened to me at the track and was cured with a zip tie.

[Mad Dog]

Thanks Chris and Tonered. that was what I was looking for. May be the problem. How do you get to the solenoid. Right left fairing? Bottom only?

[wwahl]

The battery is on the right. The solenoid is the round thing to the lower right of the battery. The offending connection is in the back of the solenoid. Put a little dielectric grease of the connection and zip-tie it so it won't back out.