Failure to start when hot!? Battery or Starter?

[slapnpop]

Let me begin by saying that I'm guessing it's the battery, but wanted some other opinions before I dropped the dough...

'03 on original battery, all other components also original (involved anyway...)

When cold, bike starts no problem, every time. When starting after being in a store for 15 minutes, or grabbing a quick bite to eat, it's a little sluggish but will always start.

Stop engine for a <1 minute conversation to ask directions: starter may turn 1/2 a turn, no where near the normal speed. Sometimes the starter will draw enough (or the battery won't have enough), so that the dash, trip odos, and clock are all reset. I have to wait up to 15 minutes for the bike to cool off before I can start again.

The only reason I question the battery is that I've never seen a bad one build charge slowly over a few minutes and get better. I figure the heat has something to do with it, but I'm no expert in the field...

Your thoughts?

 

[snikr]

I've gotta say battery as well.

Tom

 

[Fencer]

My vote would be for the battery.

I have had them do strange things in my trucks that I would not have thought would be bat related

 

[mdisher]

+Gunny

Battery fo sho

 

[Barabus]

Slappy,

Maybe buy one of these WestCo batteries-

LINK

 

[GalaxyBlue]

You still have that battery? :lol:

I remember coming out to WFO and was worried we were going to have to bump start it at some point.

PM sent as well...

 

[slapnpop]

I did... yesterday.

 

[wfooshee]

Mine does it, too, but always starts with a little throttle, quarter to half. Only inside the first half-minute after shutoff. After that, no trouble. Also '03.

An earlier thread said replace battery, clean the terminals, blah blah blah, but volts are never low except for that instant re-crank. Somebody there suggested the throttle during cranking, and it works.

 

[slapnpop]

Mine does it, too, but always starts with a little throttle, quarter to half. Only inside the first half-minute after shutoff. After that, no trouble. Also '03.

That's how mine started months ago, and the time just kept growing and growing.

 

[rogdeb]

Mine does it, too, but always starts with a little throttle, quarter to half. Only inside the first half-minute after shutoff. After that, no trouble. Also '03.
An earlier thread said replace battery, clean the terminals, blah blah blah, but volts are never low except for that instant re-crank. Somebody there suggested the throttle during cranking, and it works.

Mine the same as above.

I have an '03 which had the same symptoms with the original battery. I bought a new WestCo -- exactly the same symptoms.

I always know now that if I stop for gas after a ride (and the bike is hot) and try to re-start within a coupla minutes, I need WFO throttle or she slugs away and the clock screws up. Never when she's cold does this happen.

There WAS a full explanation given a few years back about it being an inherant thing with our type of battery, that made complete sense when I read it. Can't remember who the author was though --------- seems like I remember "Rad" for some reason. I don't worry about it any longer, OR re-set the clock any more.

 

[extrememarine]

I had the same exact symptoms on my '04 last year; new battery = all better, hot / cold all the same.

-wr

 

[SkooterG]

Travis, as a founding member of the cheap-*** club, I am not one to throw money at a problem for no good reason, however, in this case, I would highly recommend that your first course of action is to replace the battery.

Even though I have had a spare brand spanking new WestCo battery in my closet on a tricklecharger for over a year now, I still did not install it in my 120k 04 FJR before the IBR as I had planned. This FJR still has it's original battery, now just over 4 years old. I had every intention of putting the new one in before the IBR regardless, just to be safe, but you know what? My FJR's old battery is performing flawlessly with no issues. I was running out of time for bike prep and so left the old one in. No problems during the IBR, except for one that I induced.

What I am getting at is that mine is working with no indicated issues.

You on the other hand, are now experiencing problems. The first thing you need to do is replace that 5 year old battery. Pronto. It has served you well. I agree with others that problems that seemingly don't intuitively lead to the battery are often the result of a bad battery.

Get a WestCo from BikeEffects and I am optimistic that your problems will vanish.

No excuses now, chop chop!

 

[drew231506]

Mine has done this before as well, after getting gas. Wouldn't turn over...but then would fire up about a min later. Scared the crap outta me. Its happened a couple of times, mines an 05.

 

[Bustanut joker]

Battery

 

[odot]

Great add, bust.....you are as wise as you are funny looking.

 

[Bustanut joker]

Thanks dood. Glad somebody caught that :lol:

:jester:

 

[Geezer]

Let me begin by saying that I'm guessing it's the battery, but wanted some other opinions before I dropped the dough...

Geeze Slappy, I figured all you left coast guys were rolling in dough.... :lol:

 

[ionbeam]

Let me begin by saying that I'm guessing it's the battery, but wanted some other opinions before I dropped the dough...

[SIZE=18pt]Geeze Slappy, I figured all you left coast guys were rolling in dough[/SIZE].... :lol:

Ummm....

Administrator

Group: Admin

Posts: 1,810

Joined: 6-June 05

[SIZE=18pt]From: Johnson City, TN[/SIZE]

Member No.: 2

Bike: 2003 (N. America)

Unless Slappy has gotten a new job out yonder he is still a right coaster.

 

[odot]

Hm.............a redneck running an internet forum.....never saw that coming.