Single Click when Trying to Start My 2006

JackTheAlbatross · June 19th, 2021, 09:55 AM

So last Sunday I cranked up my 2006 250r Ninja to warm up. I forgot to set the petcock "ON" instead of fuel. I come back and it's not running anymore of course. I realize I forgot to set it to "ON." No problem.

I try to crank it up, and I get a single click from the right side of the bike. There's no multiple clicks like I'd expect with a dead battery. Just a single click when I press the start button.

The sound, from what I can tell is coming from the starter relay. I've checked the battery and it's at a 12.67v.

*Feel like I should mention this: I've noticed the starter relay is getting pretty hot after a couple of attempts to start the bike...? Not sure if this is normal.

Things I've tried:
1. Charging the battery - the battery stays at 12.7- 12.5v after charge.

2. Complete the circuit from the starter relay with a screw driver - there's absolutely no spark when I touch the two screws

3. replaced the 30 amp fuse on the starter relay - same click when trying to start.

4. Ordered a new starter relay - same single click

5. Tightened the battery connections

6. cleaned the battery connections

The battery is relatively new. I bought it earlier this year. I'm thinking of trying to jump the battery with a jumper pack. But I have no idea what to do now. lol

Please help. :|

Triple Jim · June 19th, 2021, 10:06 AM

Measure the battery voltage while you're actually trying to crank the engine. My bet is that it'll be very low.

JackTheAlbatross · June 19th, 2021, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triple Jim

Measure the battery voltage while you're actually trying to crank the engine. My bet is that it'll be very low.

Hmm.. just checked. It's at ~12.3v while holding down the start button. Too low?

Triple Jim · June 19th, 2021, 10:40 AM

No, not bad actually. I would say you've ruled out a battery failure as the cause.

JackTheAlbatross · June 19th, 2021, 11:34 AM

Hoo boy...

I think I may have found the issue.
Looked at my engine and noticed the left boot was sticking out a bit. Tugged on it and it came right out with no resistance. The boot is split and the spark plug is lodge in the engine with the other half of the boot on it.
Not sure how to get it out of there.

JackTheAlbatross · June 26th, 2021, 08:51 AM

Update!

I changed the sparkplug boot.

Still getting the same *click* sound when pressing the ignition switch.

Is my engine seized?? I'm at a complete loss.

jkv45 · June 26th, 2021, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackTheAlbatross

Update!

I changed the sparkplug boot.

Still getting the same *click* sound when pressing the ignition switch.

Is my engine seized?? I'm at a complete loss.

You should remove the circular cover on the left engine case and use a ratchet/socket to turn the engine over.

That will tell you.

Pulling the plugs will make it easier to spin over, but you should be able to spin it over slowly with them in.

This is the cover - https://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/File:CIMG0030Large.jpg

How you spin it over - https://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/File:CIMG0031Large.jpg

It looks like you want to turn it counterclockwise, but maybe someone can confirm. You want to turn it in the normal direction of rotation.

Triple Jim · June 26th, 2021, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkv45

It looks like you want to turn it counterclockwise, but maybe someone can confirm. You want to turn it in the normal direction of rotation.

Right, the engine rotates in the same direction as the wheels.

JackTheAlbatross · June 26th, 2021, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkv45

You should remove the circular cover on the left engine case and use a ratchet/socket to turn the engine over.

That will tell you.

Pulling the plugs will make it easier to spin over, but you should be able to spin it over slowly with them in.

This is the cover - https://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/File:CIMG0030Large.jpg

How you spin it over - https://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/File:CIMG0031Large.jpg

It looks like you want to turn it counterclockwise, but maybe someone can confirm. You want to turn it in the normal direction of rotation.

So you're saying I should try to start the bike (press the ignition) while turning it counterclockwise?

JackTheAlbatross · June 26th, 2021, 10:35 AM

Craftshaft does move! But very resistant to turns. I tried to turn over the engine after a few turns and I got a bit of a sputter and then nothing.

Triple Jim · June 26th, 2021, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackTheAlbatross

So you're saying I should try to start the bike (press the ignition) while turning it counterclockwise?

No! The idea was to see if the engine is seized. You just try to turn it with a wrench.

JayVapes · July 24th, 2021, 12:40 PM

I wonder what happened... the idea was to hand crank the pistons to see if they’re truly seized

JayVapes · July 24th, 2021, 12:42 PM

Should be a little hard to turn the crank while the spark plugs are still in. It shows there is still compression happening inside the cylinder. Also I’m glad it’s not seized.

JackTheAlbatross · July 24th, 2021, 01:43 PM

wow has it been a month already? :O

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayVapes

Should be a little hard to turn the crank while the spark plugs are still in. It shows there is still compression happening inside the cylinder. Also I’m glad it’s not seized.

Still not running! Haha

I'm able to turn the crankshaft but it's a bit resistant after a quarter of the turn.

Jim Moore · July 24th, 2021, 03:43 PM

How long did it run? Did it overheat and kill the engine?

That being said, 12.3 is a strange number. I would expect to see 10-11 volts during crankingwith a good battery. With a bad battery, a starter or seized engine I'd expect to see even les as the battery gave its all to try to turn the engine.

SibSerge · July 24th, 2021, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackTheAlbatross

wow has it been a month already? :O

Still not running! Haha

I'm able to turn the crankshaft but it's a bit resistant after a quarter of the turn.

Is the oil level ok? if the hydrolock is already ruled out and you are certain the crank is turning just try to push start the bike in the first gear. If the starter/ rely is an issue and the rest of the bike is ok it would start. But you want to make sure its not locked up before you do that or it will make the matter worse.

JackTheAlbatross · August 24th, 2021, 02:34 PM

**UPDATE**

Hey, yall! Thanks for the help!

I'm not sure what I did right but it worked.

I came to the conclusion that my engine might have been seized.
I poured some Marvel Mystery Oil into both my cylinders and let it sit for about 3 days.

Afterwards, I turned the crankshaft clockwise and noticed a quick hissing noise and stopped. Pressing the start button gave me a VERY quick crank up sound. Looking at the nut in the crankshaft, I could see it trying to spin counter clockwise.

I turned the crankshaft again until I heard a hissing noise and repeated.

Eventually, I held down the start button while turning the crankshaft clockwise and for whatever reason the pressure of me turning it that way resulted in the engine wanting to start up (which requires it to spin clockwise).

It slowly started to spin on its own without me turning the crankshaft and eventually cranked up!! I'm riding again!! I only had to do the whole cranking process once more after I rode it the first time. Today (two days after the big miracle day) I went to crank it up and it's turning over just fine!!

I'm happy it's working but I'm not 100% sure on what caused it or fixed it!

Can anyone explain the mechanics of whatever the hell I did to fix my bike?

jkv45 · August 25th, 2021, 06:11 AM

Was the oil level correct?

I might change the oil and keep an eye on the level.

The battery may not be fully charged. Check the voltage before starting. Should be over 12.7V if it's fully charged. You could have a bad battery.

JackTheAlbatross · August 25th, 2021, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkv45

Was the oil level correct?

I might change the oil and keep an eye on the level.

The battery may not be fully charged. Check the voltage before starting. Should be over 12.7V if it's fully charged. You could have a bad battery.

Oil level is good. I bought a new battery just in case but it didn't work until I manually rotated the engine while holding down the ignition button.

jkv45 · August 26th, 2021, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackTheAlbatross

Oil level is good. I bought a new battery just in case but it didn't work until I manually rotated the engine while holding down the ignition button.

Many new batteries are not fully charged - you need to check and usually charge.

I'd still check it. Should be 12.7V or more before hitting the button. If that's good, check while cranking. It should stay over 10V during cranking.

June 19th, 2021, 09:55 AM	#1
JackTheAlbatross ninjette.org member Name: Jack Location: Texas Join Date: Jan 2019 Motorcycle(s): Ninja Kawasaki 250r 2006 Posts: 22	Single Click when Trying to Start My 2006 So last Sunday I cranked up my 2006 250r Ninja to warm up. I forgot to set the petcock "ON" instead of fuel. I come back and it's not running anymore of course. I realize I forgot to set it to "ON." No problem. I try to crank it up, and I get a single click from the right side of the bike. There's no multiple clicks like I'd expect with a dead battery. Just a single click when I press the start button. The sound, from what I can tell is coming from the starter relay. I've checked the battery and it's at a 12.67v. Feel like I should mention this: I've noticed the starter relay is getting pretty hot after a couple of attempts to start the bike...? Not sure if this is normal. Things I've tried: 1. Charging the battery - the battery stays at 12.7- 12.5v after charge. 2. Complete the circuit from the starter relay with a screw driver - there's absolutely no spark when I touch the two screws 3. replaced the 30 amp fuse on the starter relay - same click when trying to start. 4. Ordered a new starter relay - same single click 5. Tightened the battery connections 6. cleaned the battery connections The battery is relatively new. I bought it earlier this year. I'm thinking of trying to jump the battery with a jumper pack. But I have no idea what to do now. lol Please help. :\| Last futzed with by JackTheAlbatross; June 19th, 2021 at 11:05 AM.*

July 24th, 2021, 12:40 PM	#12
JayVapes ninjette.org member Name: Honorio Location: Rio Grande Valley Join Date: Aug 2020 Motorcycle(s): Ninja EX250 Posts: 118 Blog Entries: 8	I wonder what happened... the idea was to hand crank the pistons to see if they’re truly seized __________________________________________________ RIDE IT UNTIL THE WHEELS FALL OFF, THEN BUY NEW WHEELS

July 24th, 2021, 12:42 PM	#13
JayVapes ninjette.org member Name: Honorio Location: Rio Grande Valley Join Date: Aug 2020 Motorcycle(s): Ninja EX250 Posts: 118 Blog Entries: 8	Should be a little hard to turn the crank while the spark plugs are still in. It shows there is still compression happening inside the cylinder. Also I’m glad it’s not seized. __________________________________________________ RIDE IT UNTIL THE WHEELS FALL OFF, THEN BUY NEW WHEELS

July 24th, 2021, 03:43 PM	#15
Jim Moore ninjette.org member Name: Jim Location: Jax, FL Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2000 Ninjette, 98 CBR600, 98 VFR800, 2000 BMW R1100RS, Kymco Movie 150 Posts: 146	How long did it run? Did it overheat and kill the engine? That being said, 12.3 is a strange number. I would expect to see 10-11 volts during crankingwith a good battery. With a bad battery, a starter or seized engine I'd expect to see even les as the battery gave its all to try to turn the engine. __________________________________________________ Jim Moore Jax, FL

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Intermittent idle woes, single click sound RPM drop	mistified	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	37	January 22nd, 2019 01:41 PM
Trouble Shooting - Bike Click Wont start	RisingRay	1986 - 2007 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	11	May 31st, 2018 06:53 AM
No start, click from fuse box, batt is good	WAGESLAVEesc	1986 - 2007 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	17	June 7th, 2014 04:09 PM
[motorcyclistonline] - Adjusting Motorcycle Suspension \| Click, Click \| Street Savvy	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	July 10th, 2012 10:20 PM
one click, no start	coondog	1986 - 2007 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	12	September 12th, 2011 04:43 PM

June 19th, 2021, 10:06 AM	#2
Triple Jim Guy Who Enjoys Riding Name: Jim Location: North Carolina Join Date: Jul 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTM - Oct '18, Aug '17, Aug '16	Measure the battery voltage while you're actually trying to crank the engine. My bet is that it'll be very low.

June 19th, 2021, 10:40 AM	#4
Triple Jim Guy Who Enjoys Riding Name: Jim Location: North Carolina Join Date: Jul 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTM - Oct '18, Aug '17, Aug '16	No, not bad actually. I would say you've ruled out a battery failure as the cause.

June 26th, 2021, 08:51 AM	#6
JackTheAlbatross ninjette.org member Name: Jack Location: Texas Join Date: Jan 2019 Motorcycle(s): Ninja Kawasaki 250r 2006 Posts: 22	Update! I changed the sparkplug boot. Still getting the same click sound when pressing the ignition switch. Is my engine seized?? I'm at a complete loss.

June 26th, 2021, 10:35 AM	#10
JackTheAlbatross ninjette.org member Name: Jack Location: Texas Join Date: Jan 2019 Motorcycle(s): Ninja Kawasaki 250r 2006 Posts: 22	Craftshaft does move! But very resistant to turns. I tried to turn over the engine after a few turns and I got a bit of a sputter and then nothing.

August 24th, 2021, 02:34 PM	#17
JackTheAlbatross ninjette.org member Name: Jack Location: Texas Join Date: Jan 2019 Motorcycle(s): Ninja Kawasaki 250r 2006 Posts: 22	UPDATE Hey, yall! Thanks for the help! I'm not sure what I did right but it worked. I came to the conclusion that my engine might have been seized. I poured some Marvel Mystery Oil into both my cylinders and let it sit for about 3 days. Afterwards, I turned the crankshaft clockwise and noticed a quick hissing noise and stopped. Pressing the start button gave me a VERY quick crank up sound. Looking at the nut in the crankshaft, I could see it trying to spin counter clockwise. I turned the crankshaft again until I heard a hissing noise and repeated. Eventually, I held down the start button while turning the crankshaft clockwise and for whatever reason the pressure of me turning it that way resulted in the engine wanting to start up (which requires it to spin clockwise). It slowly started to spin on its own without me turning the crankshaft and eventually cranked up!! I'm riding again!! I only had to do the whole cranking process once more after I rode it the first time. Today (two days after the big miracle day) I went to crank it up and it's turning over just fine!! I'm happy it's working but I'm not 100% sure on what caused it or fixed it! Can anyone explain the mechanics of whatever the hell I did to fix my bike?

August 25th, 2021, 06:11 AM	#18
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	Was the oil level correct? I might change the oil and keep an eye on the level. The battery may not be fully charged. Check the voltage before starting. Should be over 12.7V if it's fully charged. You could have a bad battery.