Starter troubles

ZeroG · June 8th, 2013, 12:17 PM

Hey, all. It's me again, and my ZX600R project is almost complete! Everything is put together and looks great except now she won't start...

I got it started this morning on the first try, spent some time getting the chain put on, and then went to start it again without success. The petcock is on, fuel in the lines, and all that good stuff. The starter sounds strong (and I've got the battery hooked up to a charger), but the switch has always been a little faulty. Sometimes you have to hit it a few times before it starts turning over. Now, I noticed that there's an odd clicking sound like an arc happening in the tail section under the seat when you hit the starter button.

My question, then, is twofold. What is the clicking, and why might the bike not be starting?.... *sigh* Today was going to be the day I finally got to ride it.

Motofool · June 8th, 2013, 12:44 PM

I am not sure, but your starting circuit should look something like this:

http://faq.ninja250.org/images/e/e1/Start_corr.jpg

What you hear may be the starter relay being energized by the starter bottom.

ZeroG · June 8th, 2013, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motofool

What you hear may be the starter relay being energized by the starter bottom.

Yeah, that might be. Maybe I just didn't hear it before because the engine was actually turning over.

headshrink · June 8th, 2013, 12:56 PM

Are you POSITIVE you have a strong battery? Unlike on a car, when it's more obvious, I've had weird problems when my battery has gone bad. Your symptoms sound similar, but it's been a really long time, so the memory is fading.

SabreValkyrn · June 8th, 2013, 01:08 PM

The battery is brand new and has been on a trickle charge or fully supported by a charger when we used it.

headshrink · June 8th, 2013, 01:20 PM

The clicking is probably a starter relay, or such. When my battery died I heard it too, but I think it was just easier to hear when the engine wasn't turning over. I'm not sure why it isn't starting, but I think the sound is likely normal.

ZeroG · June 8th, 2013, 01:26 PM

Yeah... I just don't get it. It started easily this morning, and literally nothing has changed. I've been brainstorming possible issues, but I can't think of anything.

Motofool · June 8th, 2013, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeroG

Yeah... I just don't get it. It started easily this morning, and literally nothing has changed. I've been brainstorming possible issues, but I can't think of anything.

It could be the battery that has lost some charge already.

If you by-pass the starting relay, you are basically connecting the starter to the battery.
If the starter feel no electricity that way, something is isolating it from the battery or the battery doesn't have enough power to move the engine.

If you jump cable from a car, turn the engine of the car off during the process.

ZeroG · June 8th, 2013, 01:46 PM

I have the battery hooked up to a charger on "start" mode, so it's got all the charge it needs.

Motofool · June 8th, 2013, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeroG

I have the battery hooked up to a charger on "start" mode, so it's got all the charge it needs.

I am not sure, but you may damage the bike's circuit with that option:

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/How_to_...ike_from_a_car

headshrink · June 8th, 2013, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motofool

If you jump cable from a car, turn the engine of the car off during the process.

Also, just to be on the record for anyone jumping from a car for the first time, you want to turn the car's headlights on.

lgk · June 8th, 2013, 05:01 PM

could it be the kick stand switch?

June 8th, 2013, 12:17 PM	#1
ZeroG ninjette.org member Name: Erik Location: Vancouver, WA Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): '93 Ninja 600 (project) Posts: 53	Starter troubles Hey, all. It's me again, and my ZX600R project is almost complete! Everything is put together and looks great except now she won't start... I got it started this morning on the first try, spent some time getting the chain put on, and then went to start it again without success. The petcock is on, fuel in the lines, and all that good stuff. The starter sounds strong (and I've got the battery hooked up to a charger), but the switch has always been a little faulty. Sometimes you have to hit it a few times before it starts turning over. Now, I noticed that there's an odd clicking sound like an arc happening in the tail section under the seat when you hit the starter button. My question, then, is twofold. What is the clicking, and why might the bike not be starting?.... sigh Today was going to be the day I finally got to ride it. __________________________________________________ As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

June 8th, 2013, 12:44 PM	#2
Motofool Daily Ninjette rider Name: Hernan Location: Florida Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTY - 2016, MOTM - Dec '12, Jan '14, Jan '15, May '16	I am not sure, but your starting circuit should look something like this: http://faq.ninja250.org/images/e/e1/Start_corr.jpg What you hear may be the starter relay being energized by the starter bottom. __________________________________________________ *Motofool* *.................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly* "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí

June 8th, 2013, 12:56 PM	#4
headshrink ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Bob Location: CA Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r, '14 CBR500r Posts: A lot.	Are you POSITIVE you have a strong battery? Unlike on a car, when it's more obvious, I've had weird problems when my battery has gone bad. Your symptoms sound similar, but it's been a really long time, so the memory is fading. __________________________________________________ Honda Interceptor VFR800 DLX (2014, 8th gen) Honda CBR500r (2014) - FOR SALE Kawi Ninja 250r (2008) - Restored and passed-down within family, only to be abandoned

June 8th, 2013, 01:20 PM	#6
headshrink ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Bob Location: CA Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r, '14 CBR500r Posts: A lot.	The clicking is probably a starter relay, or such. When my battery died I heard it too, but I think it was just easier to hear when the engine wasn't turning over. I'm not sure why it isn't starting, but I think the sound is likely normal. __________________________________________________ Honda Interceptor VFR800 DLX (2014, 8th gen) Honda CBR500r (2014) - FOR SALE Kawi Ninja 250r (2008) - Restored and passed-down within family, only to be abandoned

June 8th, 2013, 01:26 PM	#7
ZeroG ninjette.org member Name: Erik Location: Vancouver, WA Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): '93 Ninja 600 (project) Posts: 53	Yeah... I just don't get it. It started easily this morning, and literally nothing has changed. I've been brainstorming possible issues, but I can't think of anything. __________________________________________________ As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

June 8th, 2013, 01:08 PM	#5
SabreValkyrn ninjette.org member Name: Joel Location: Bellingham, wa Join Date: Mar 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2017 Motus MSTR (Kara), 1990 Ninja 600R (ZX600C3) (Scrappy) Posts: 185	The battery is brand new and has been on a trickle charge or fully supported by a charger when we used it.

June 8th, 2013, 01:46 PM	#9
ZeroG ninjette.org member Name: Erik Location: Vancouver, WA Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): '93 Ninja 600 (project) Posts: 53	I have the battery hooked up to a charger on "start" mode, so it's got all the charge it needs. __________________________________________________ As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

June 8th, 2013, 05:01 PM	#12
lgk ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Norfolk, VA Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2012 EX250, 2014 EX300 Posts: A lot.	could it be the kick stand switch? __________________________________________________ Ethioknight Memorial Fund- Sticker sale http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=111700

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