Trouble Starting

dlebe250 · January 9th, 2011, 04:05 PM

Hey guys,

Today I took my bike out around town to do some errands, and the last time I started the bike it would not start. The lights were on but when I hit the start button it would give that, "eh eh eh" sound and then nothing. I have enough fuel so it's not that. So I waited 5-10min and then hit the start button while using a little throttle and it finally worked (used throttle during previous tries as well). I'm not sure what this could mean but if anyone has an idea please let me know. Possibly needs a new battery? (any way to tell?). I'll be calling my mechanic tomorrow to inquire too.

bob706 · January 9th, 2011, 04:35 PM

Could be the battery but if it happens again open the gas cap. You may have some vapor lock going on.

kkim · January 9th, 2011, 07:16 PM

how old is the battery?

dlebe250 · January 9th, 2011, 08:27 PM

It's a 94' and I bought it used a few months ago and the previous owner didn't have any maintenance records. So it could be 17years old? Does the battery have a date on it?

kkim · January 9th, 2011, 09:06 PM

I highly doubt it's the original battery. If you can't see any type of date on the battery case, assume the worst that it's due for replacement.

You can try and recharge it and see if it holds a charge, but personally, when a battery starts giving me problems, I change it out knowing that it will work until you are farthest from your house then die.

Also, AFAIK, the lights are not supposed to come on until the engine has been started, though this may only apply to the new gen bikes.

mrlmd · January 10th, 2011, 08:33 AM

Charge up your battery then get it load tested. That's the only way to see if it is any good other than guessing and just buying a new one.
If the engine was turning over (starter was running) it may have nothing to do with your battery and may be related to fuel or carb problems. Put some Berryman's B12 or Seafoam in the gas 1oz/gal to clean out and keep the carbs clean, especially if you know nothing of the previous owner's maintenance.
Don't panic and start replacing parts - charge the battery, use the carb cleaner and see how it runs.

dlebe250 · January 12th, 2011, 01:10 AM

Hey guys,

So I took the battery to my mechanic and he charged it over night and then load tested it. Told me its pretty good still and that it should turn over the bike. He said one reason this might have happened was me turning the key to the lock position but the one with the parking tail light still on. My "P" was worn away so I had no idea that this was an option. I have no idea why anyone would want to do that, since it just drains the battery. Anyway, I installed the newly charged battery and she starts right up. My mechanic is real nice and didn't charge me and told me to swing by and he'll check the voltage out while running the engine. Thanks for all the help!

Dan

mrlmd · January 12th, 2011, 07:47 AM

That key position is a safety feature if you're parked on the side of the road so someone can see you there. Many riders, esp. if you don't read the owners manual, don't even know it's there. Just check each time you walk away from the bike you don't accidentally leave it in that position with the tail light on all night. It shouldn't happen again now that you are aware of it.

January 9th, 2011, 04:05 PM	#1
dlebe250 ninjette.org member Name: Dan Location: Davis Join Date: Dec 2010 Motorcycle(s): 1994 250 Posts: 26	Trouble Starting Hey guys, Today I took my bike out around town to do some errands, and the last time I started the bike it would not start. The lights were on but when I hit the start button it would give that, "eh eh eh" sound and then nothing. I have enough fuel so it's not that. So I waited 5-10min and then hit the start button while using a little throttle and it finally worked (used throttle during previous tries as well). I'm not sure what this could mean but if anyone has an idea please let me know. Possibly needs a new battery? (any way to tell?). I'll be calling my mechanic tomorrow to inquire too.

January 12th, 2011, 01:10 AM	#7
dlebe250 ninjette.org member Name: Dan Location: Davis Join Date: Dec 2010 Motorcycle(s): 1994 250 Posts: 26	Solution Hey guys, So I took the battery to my mechanic and he charged it over night and then load tested it. Told me its pretty good still and that it should turn over the bike. He said one reason this might have happened was me turning the key to the lock position but the one with the parking tail light still on. My "P" was worn away so I had no idea that this was an option. I have no idea why anyone would want to do that, since it just drains the battery. Anyway, I installed the newly charged battery and she starts right up. My mechanic is real nice and didn't charge me and told me to swing by and he'll check the voltage out while running the engine. Thanks for all the help! Dan

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January 9th, 2011, 04:35 PM	#2
bob706 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Sean Location: Mary Esther, FL Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 1998 HD Road King Posts: A lot.	Could be the battery but if it happens again open the gas cap. You may have some vapor lock going on.

January 9th, 2011, 07:16 PM	#3
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	how old is the battery?

January 9th, 2011, 08:27 PM	#4
dlebe250 ninjette.org member Name: Dan Location: Davis Join Date: Dec 2010 Motorcycle(s): 1994 250 Posts: 26	It's a 94' and I bought it used a few months ago and the previous owner didn't have any maintenance records. So it could be 17years old? Does the battery have a date on it?

January 9th, 2011, 09:06 PM	#5
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	I highly doubt it's the original battery. If you can't see any type of date on the battery case, assume the worst that it's due for replacement. You can try and recharge it and see if it holds a charge, but personally, when a battery starts giving me problems, I change it out knowing that it will work until you are farthest from your house then die. Also, AFAIK, the lights are not supposed to come on until the engine has been started, though this may only apply to the new gen bikes.

January 10th, 2011, 08:33 AM	#6
mrlmd ninjette.org sage Name: Marc Location: Crawfordville, Florida Join Date: Jan 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Suzuki S50, 2006 Kawasaki Ninja EX250F, 1990 Honda PC800, 2000 Yamaha TW200 Posts: 848	Charge up your battery then get it load tested. That's the only way to see if it is any good other than guessing and just buying a new one. If the engine was turning over (starter was running) it may have nothing to do with your battery and may be related to fuel or carb problems. Put some Berryman's B12 or Seafoam in the gas 1oz/gal to clean out and keep the carbs clean, especially if you know nothing of the previous owner's maintenance. Don't panic and start replacing parts - charge the battery, use the carb cleaner and see how it runs.

January 12th, 2011, 07:47 AM	#8
mrlmd ninjette.org sage Name: Marc Location: Crawfordville, Florida Join Date: Jan 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Suzuki S50, 2006 Kawasaki Ninja EX250F, 1990 Honda PC800, 2000 Yamaha TW200 Posts: 848	That key position is a safety feature if you're parked on the side of the road so someone can see you there. Many riders, esp. if you don't read the owners manual, don't even know it's there. Just check each time you walk away from the bike you don't accidentally leave it in that position with the tail light on all night. It shouldn't happen again now that you are aware of it.