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Posted by lumper
- May 08, 2011, 14:34:10 PMok, well it wont start with a jump from a car or truck that is not running.
The clicking seems like it is coming from under the tank or between the heads, not the starter.
I am getting kinda discouraged here, I guess thats par for the course though so I am trying to think positive.
Without a manual there isnt a lot can check, I mean I can follow the wiring around and look for breaks, splits, burns, shorts, etc.. but I haven't seen anything like that yet.
I temporarily disconnected the air horn relay switch from the battery and the tender plug so it is just the batter connected to its two main terminals.
What would you recommend I look at or try next?
Lump
Posted by chief
- May 08, 2011, 14:19:39 PMIf it is only the battery, it will start with a jump... remember DO NOT START THE CAR! You may have to let the bike battery charge for a minute or two.
Bad batteries do weird things.
Posted by lumper
- May 08, 2011, 14:16:08 PMThanks for the info, I am going to try and eliminate the battery as the culprit or identify it as the case may be and let you know.
Lump
Posted by lumper
- May 08, 2011, 14:14:16 PMOk, thanks
really I had no idea yet which battery to go with, I just saw the claim that it was 450 cca and thought, wow thats pretty awesome if I am going to add more accessories, but I dont have the money until later this week and I will most likely get something local.
I found a 230 cca at autozone for 99.00 but I am going to look more carefully and learn more about what makes a good battery for my bike before I buy anything.
I am going out now to try and jump it after tapping the starter, wish me luck, I hope it starts but if not I really hope this is only a battery.
Nothing else makes much sense since it was fine when I shut it off and I cant see any signs of melting wires, odd things with the electrical, etc..
I will let you know if this works though.
Lump
Posted by chief
- May 08, 2011, 14:10:06 PMLeft off the battery info...
http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/drifterparts.html
If the engine will not "crank" - crank means engine turns over there are a few things which might be wrong...
1) blown main fuse - but you have power, so that isn't it.
2) Discharged battery -
3) Defective starter, starter relay. You hear a click, so I'd rule out #2 before proceeding.
There are more serious engine problems which might be the cause, but you need to eliminate these first.
Posted by griz01
- May 08, 2011, 13:12:09 PMLumper
Be careful of that battery for 2 reasons, first it is for the BUBF series, that battery is longer and narrower than the Drifter's. secondly it is a GEL Cell type; The Gel Cell excels in slow discharge rates and slightly higher ambient operating temperatures. The big issue with Gel Batteries that must be addressed is the CHARGE PROFILE. The battery charger being used to recharge the battery has to be designed or adjustable for Gel Cell Batteries. If you are using an motorcycle alternator to recharge a true Gel Cell a special regulator must be installed. A slower charge rate is necessary. Gel Cell Batteries must be recharged correctly or the battery will suffer premature failure
Posted by lumper
- May 08, 2011, 10:59:36 AManyway I moved the recently relocated rectifier out of the way to reach teh starter and tried the tapping technique, but even then without a jump or something it wont crank at all, I have to go out for a few mothers day hours, but this afternoon when I get back I will try it again and try jumping it too.
Thanks for the tips and ideas, I am psyched to see if this works, I know in my old 75 lt camaro back in the day I would have to bang on the starter sometimes to get it to turn over, that was the last sign before I had to replace it , lol. ah the good ole days where a hammer started your car.
Lump
Posted by lumper
- May 08, 2011, 10:34:32 AMHey Griz, heading out to the bike with a hammer now, lol that sounds ugly.
Yes I found this batter,
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190280867481&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
claims 450 cca, I didn't read closely or anything I was just bookmarking batteries to get an idea of price.
Anyway that link goes to the one I wsa looking at.
Lump
Posted by griz01
- May 08, 2011, 09:40:05 AMLump,
You found a 450 CCA battery! Which one is it? Best I have found is 310CCA.
Posted by VN1500
- May 08, 2011, 08:22:39 AMLump,
What Troll said +...if connected correctly from an auto battery and it still wont crank?...You need to start tracing wiring to & from the Ignition switch,starter relay, check all grounds [closely],double check, that's double check, all wiring for the safety switches, etc, & so-on.
If your not well experienced?..you might need to get some help from someone more familiar....Good Luck!!
Ron
Posted by Troll
- May 07, 2011, 19:06:34 PMThis is gonna sound strange, but take a hammer, preferably a little one, and tap the starter motor at the commutator end ( end away from the engine) TAP it a couple of times...could have a stuck brush
Posted by lumper
- May 07, 2011, 18:47:53 PMnever cranked, only clicks the starter but no engine crank at all.
Turn he key, the dash lights up and you can hear the system pressurize.
Then all the lights go out except neutral and the oil light.
Then I click the kill switch down and try the starter switch and only get a clicking from the starter and only one click per try, its not like a starter just clicking away.
What else could it be?
The battery shows only 120 cranking amps available through the tester.
I guess the cheesy jumper cables I have here could also be part of the problem but I dont know.
Let me know what else you think it could be.
Thanks
Lump
Posted by chief
- May 07, 2011, 18:37:44 PMWhat VN1500 said... and here's some info regarding the battery... you can look up the specs for the specific battery on the batt. mfg site.
Posted by VN1500
- May 07, 2011, 18:12:54 PMLump,
It wouldn't start? or wouldn't crank when you jumped it?
If you connected corrrectly it certainly should crank when jumping from a car,..good car batteries are 800-1000 cca.
Now if it cranked?, but wouldn't start.....that's a whole different problem.
Ron
Posted by lumper
- May 07, 2011, 17:50:23 PMWell battery is dead.
It only shows 120 cold cranking amps available and thats not going to cut it.
I am looking at batteries for next week when I get paid again, I found a 450 cca battery for the vulcan 1500 that I hope will work, I figure since I added air horns and I plan to add a light bar and a few other things I should just go ahead and get a higher rated battery now since I am replacing this one.
Stinks how sudden this came though without warning and shut me down I was really looking forward to riding this weekend
Lump