| Author | Message | ||
     Jfoster |
I bought this XB9 a few months ago with 600 miles on it. I have about 1300 on it now. I have changed the oil at 1k but still needs trans fluid change. Recently it has struggled to start. Sometimes it would click loud whenever I hit the start button, then click and start up the next push. Other times it would just pause a second or two between hitting the button and turning over and firing up. But today was the first time it wouldn't start. Just loud clicks I guess from the starter. I had figured it was the battery, and I would have to replace it once it quit staring for me. But I pulled it today and took it to be tested and it showed good, with 70% charge. Why does it only have 70% of a charge and should that be enough to start my bike? Should I now be looking at the charging system? Or the starter? Thanks | ||
| Thespive |
It is not your starter, It is either your battery or charging system. My bet would be to get a new battery and enjoy the ride. This is VERY common symptom when a battery needs to be replaced. IYou should probably have your charging system tested (just in case), and it is not the percent of charge that is important, but rather the output of the battery. A strong battery should be 12.6 volts. Your battery probably only has a 70% charge because it is old and won't hold a full charge anymore, even if you have a good charging system. If you ride regularily and it is a new battery (a year or newer), then your charging system isn't doing its job or you have a draw somewhere. --Sean (Message edited by thespive on September 18, 2007) | ||
| Jfoster |
If I remember correctly they told me it showed 12volts and 116CCA . I'd really like for it to just be a battery and go, but at the same time I can't afford to put $60 into a battery and still have the issue. I think I am going to buy a Volt/Ohm meter (I need one anyway) and see what the output is. Thanks | ||
| Squishy |
My first thought is starter contacts. Those go out on my truck every 60,000 miles or so, so I don't know why it would be doing it at 1300 miles... | ||
| Bad_karma |
James Make a good check of you cables and grounds in the starting circuit first. 12 volts sound a little low to me. Was that under load? Joe | ||
| Buell_bert |
Clean contacts at Batt. and Starter. Also the ground terminals. Measure voltage at terminals on the starter not the Batt. terminals this will tell you if the connections are good. It should be 12+ and 13.7 to 14.2 when running (give or take a few tenths) | ||
| Buell_bert |
When you get a V/ohm meter and test it. Give me a message if it's ok or not. I don't know mine now but will test mine and see. And relay the results. Mine is working fine for now. I have to agree, the Batt. might be going south. But the connections could be the culprit. Good Luck. | ||
| Buelltroll |
You don't want to know what it COULD be. See my profile under specific problems at around 10k+ . | ||
| Bombardier |
Sounds like a bad earth to me. | ||
| Swordsman |
Don't forget the problem with the battery terminal bolts being too long for the battery... that's led to bad grounds on several bikes. The stock bolts are a tad too long and bottom out before fully clamping down and making a good connection. Had that happen to my bike. My bike had the same symptoms. A couple of spacers fixed it. ~SM | ||
| Jfoster |
Well Wal-mart, Orielly's, and the HD dealer were wrong. It was the battery. I tested it with a volt/ohm meter side by side with a buddys firebolt and they were pretty close to the same when off or running but when I would hit the start button mine would drop much lower than his ... Picked up a new battery at walmart ... so far so good. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Careful with the wal mart battery. I just got one for my KLR-250, and while it was labelled "absorbed glass mat" it wasn't the same kind of absorbed glass matt that my Harley battery was... and the case was not nearly as beefy. I'd hate to have a battery body crack and leak acid all over my bike. Glad you are getting the problem chased down though! | ||
| Blake |
That's good news James. Thanks for the update. |
