06' Won't Start

[leclairk]

I have spent the day wiring in some heated grips, over a couple hour period I had the ignition on and off but never started the bike. Went out to the bike this evening and the bike started after a very sluggish start. I only ran the bike for a very short time and then turned it off. About 10 minutes later tried to start the bike and the starter made about half a turn and then a loud buzzing sound started coming from the battery area. Turned off the ignition, turn the key back on, fuel pump starts, the lights come on, push the starter, loud buzzing sound. It seems to be coming from one of the fuse holders in front of the battery. I put my hand on it and can feel the buzzing. Push the starter, loud buzzing, let go of the starter, buzzing stops and gauges do their normal startup thing. I put a multimeter on the battery and its at 12V. What the hell is that loud buzzing??? Did I mess something up while trying to install the heated grips? I also put in a power commander last weekend, could that be the cause? I don't have any idea how old the battery is since I bought the bike in Sept. Bike has 5K miles. I know, only 5K, had 4300 when I bought it.

 

[ANZAC]

Greetings from the Couve

Sounds like your battery is shot as it could be the original. It may read 12v but under a load it's not supplying enough current to the relays and starter. Perhaps the heated grips got left on too long during installation and pulled down the battery. Short term fix is hook it up to a charger and try again tomorrow. I just replaced my Street Triple battery with a Deka AGM battery from Cascade Moto that works great here in the cold wet PNW. My Streety wound up having a defective stator which was killing the battery.

While you are at it - install a voltmeter to keep a keen eye on your electrical system. You should have at least 14v measured across the battery while engine is running. Good luck and see you on 26 maybe one day. I am picking up a 2003 soon.

 

[FJRay]

I would get a good charge in the batt. If it is showing 12 volts it's way down on jiuce. Should be 12.6 or better. Might not hurt to get it load tested if the age is unknown. The noise is probably the relay complaining about low voltage.

 

[C&C]

Concur with the above posts; a good bet she'll start in the morning (after recharge).

 

[SkooterG]

Battery is too low. You need to fully charge it. Preferably with a low amperage trickle charger.

 

[NMRoadRunner]

The buuzzing or chattering you hear is the starter relay trying to pull in, as they have already said, charge the battery on a charger. It'll take a while, they have a big belly.

 

[leclairk]

Thanks for the tips guys, I love these forums. Believe it or not, I don't have a trickle charge but I guess it's time. I've only been riding about 5 years and I ride year round so i've never needed to charge a battery. I have notice ever since i've had the bike that sometimes the starter struggles to turn over like it's not getting enough juice. I will get a charger but I will get the battery tested as well. Thanks again.

Kevin

 

[jmgrif]

I had to have my 08 battery "Deep cycle charged"? at the dealer last year. They had it for the day and returned it with no payment required! It has held the charge since then with no problems. I do keep it on a trickle charger year round except when on trips with mostly long riding days anyway! I don't know for sure but if the battery is below a certain level a trickle charger won't bring it back to life? At the same time I'm not sure what "Deep cycle charge" means either?

 

[leclairk]

As usual you guys were right. Bought a tender, charged it overnight, fired right up. Started better than it has ever started. 12.3V before the charge, 13.4V after. Plus, the new heated grips work!!

Next step is to get the battery tested. I see Amazon has an OEM for about $90, but word is Bike Effects sells a Westco with a 10% discount for forum members. I like to support forum guys (since you guys help me diagnose my bike problems) so I think I will go with the Westco if I need a battery. Thanks again.

 

[ANZAC]

Gad to here you got her going and get a new battery today so you can ride this weekend. The SUN is out today in Portland which I have not seen since September