Author |
Message |
Mitchmoney
| Posted on Sunday, November 06, 2011 - 02:30 pm: |
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Quick question, which might sound stupid. What should a voltmeter read off my battery? I have a Yuasa YTX14-BS and the meter i have is reading around 12.7 and the engine will not turn over. I'm going to get a new battery, but is the reading incorrect or too low? Thanks. |
Mitchmoney
| Posted on Sunday, November 06, 2011 - 02:31 pm: |
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Its a 2001 Blast by the way. |
Harleyelf
| Posted on Sunday, November 06, 2011 - 03:01 pm: |
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The reading is good. You should have a reading of around 13 volts on a recently charged battery and 14 - 14.7 on a running vehicle. It will read below 12 volts when it can no longer turn the motor over. Check your kill switch, ignition switch, side-stand switch, and starter relay before buying a new battery. |
Mitchmoney
| Posted on Sunday, November 06, 2011 - 03:53 pm: |
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Thanks, I know that the ignition switch is working and the kill switch isn't on because it is trying to turn over. How would I check the starter relay? Is there a thread on that? I just posted again with more details on my problem. . . |
Harleyelf
| Posted on Sunday, November 06, 2011 - 03:58 pm: |
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Ooh, trying to turn over! That's a detail you left out on the original post. Your issue is either a dirty ground (85%) or a corrosion problem inside the starter itself (10%), or a dirty contact in the starter switch circuit (5%). Starter relay is trying, may have corrosion on its blades. |
Mitchmoney
| Posted on Sunday, November 06, 2011 - 04:06 pm: |
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What does the dirty ground mean and what can I do about it? And Would you recommend trying to replace the starter? I'm learning about bikes as I go with this, thanks! |
Harleyelf
| Posted on Sunday, November 06, 2011 - 04:47 pm: |
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Dirty ground means that two metal surfaces which should be able to pass electricity between themselves can't because of rust or other oxidation. File both surfaces shiny and re-assemble. It seems your battery may indeed be too old for further service. Try jumping it to a car battery yet? |
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