Bike starts, but starter clicks anyway?

buffaloejon · January 4th, 2015, 06:56 PM

So here's a weird problem. My bike turns over just fine, but the starter (or something) clicks while I'm hitting the start button. JUST had the carbs cleaned, and the dealer that fixed it killed my battery (so I got a new one), and I'm thinking they caused this problem too by trying to start the bike too much. Is there a solution/anything even wrong?

I've tried googling this problem, and it's just flooded with the starter clicking and NOT starting, literally couldn't find the same problem anywhere.

jkv45 · January 4th, 2015, 07:28 PM

You may have to post a video of it to give us a better idea of what it's doing.

For starters (no pun...) I would check your battery. Not all new batteries are fully charged, and it may be right on the edge of having enough power to start it. Also make sure all of the battery connections are tight, and it has a firm ground to the frame.

After riding, let it sit for a few hours before checking it. It should read at least 12.7V. It could read more if there's still some additional charge on it from the alternator, but it shouldn't be less.

Then check it as you are cranking it over. You could leave the choke off so it will crank but not start to give you more time to read it. A strong battery should hold around 11V during cranking. Below 10V would suggest a weak battery (even if it's 12.7 before cranking).

If that checks out, there could be an issue with the starter, starter solenoid, or wiring.

buffaloejon · January 4th, 2015, 08:02 PM

Thanks a ton for the help! I forgot to mention, it starts up STRONG, and I've ridden it for ~2 weeks now, definitely long enough for the battery to charge, and then started it back up and still the clicking.

So, ya think a video might help? I can try to grab one tomorrow

alex.s · January 5th, 2015, 12:28 AM

the relay solenoid on the starter normally makes an audible click when activated.

buffaloejon · January 5th, 2015, 06:02 AM

But not a repeated clicking, like it would if the battery were dead, right? That's what's so weird, is that it clicks repeatedly, exactly like it would if the battery were dead, but it still turns over and starts up, stronger than it did before the carbs got cleaned.

January 4th, 2015, 06:56 PM	#1
buffaloejon ninjette.org newbie Name: Jon Location: Apex, NC Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250R Posts: 3	Bike starts, but starter clicks anyway? So here's a weird problem. My bike turns over just fine, but the starter (or something) clicks while I'm hitting the start button. JUST had the carbs cleaned, and the dealer that fixed it killed my battery (so I got a new one), and I'm thinking they caused this problem too by trying to start the bike too much. Is there a solution/anything even wrong? I've tried googling this problem, and it's just flooded with the starter clicking and NOT starting, literally couldn't find the same problem anywhere.

January 5th, 2015, 12:28 AM	#4
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	the relay solenoid on the starter normally makes an audible click when activated. __________________________________________________

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January 4th, 2015, 07:28 PM	#2
jkv45 Rev Limiter Name: Jay Location: WI Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): '06 SV650n, '00 Derbi GPR, '64 CA77 Dream 305, '70 CL450 Scrambler, numerous dirt bikes Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jun '18, Oct '16	You may have to post a video of it to give us a better idea of what it's doing. For starters (no pun...) I would check your battery. Not all new batteries are fully charged, and it may be right on the edge of having enough power to start it. Also make sure all of the battery connections are tight, and it has a firm ground to the frame. After riding, let it sit for a few hours before checking it. It should read at least 12.7V. It could read more if there's still some additional charge on it from the alternator, but it shouldn't be less. Then check it as you are cranking it over. You could leave the choke off so it will crank but not start to give you more time to read it. A strong battery should hold around 11V during cranking. Below 10V would suggest a weak battery (even if it's 12.7 before cranking). If that checks out, there could be an issue with the starter, starter solenoid, or wiring.

January 4th, 2015, 08:02 PM	#3
buffaloejon ninjette.org newbie Name: Jon Location: Apex, NC Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250R Posts: 3	Thanks a ton for the help! I forgot to mention, it starts up STRONG, and I've ridden it for ~2 weeks now, definitely long enough for the battery to charge, and then started it back up and still the clicking. So, ya think a video might help? I can try to grab one tomorrow

January 5th, 2015, 06:02 AM	#5
buffaloejon ninjette.org newbie Name: Jon Location: Apex, NC Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250R Posts: 3	But not a repeated clicking, like it would if the battery were dead, right? That's what's so weird, is that it clicks repeatedly, exactly like it would if the battery were dead, but it still turns over and starts up, stronger than it did before the carbs got cleaned.