Modify message

Welcome to Vulcan Drifter Riders. Please log in or sign up.

Main Menu

Vulcan Drifter Riders
► DISCUSSIONS
► Drifter 1500 only
► Modify message ( Re: Looking for collective wisdom... )

Modify message

The message has the following error or errors that must be corrected before continuing:: Warning: this topic has not been posted in for at least 180 days.
Unless you're sure you want to reply, please consider starting a new topic.

Subject
Message icon
Reason for editing

[quote author=FloridaDrifter link=topic=36475.msg79828#msg79828 date=1424739856]
Installed a new fully charged battery (old one was from 2010), changed plugs.  Engine cranks very slowly and then clicks.  I'm at a loss.
[/quote]

Either 1) your new fully charged battery is not really fully charged 2) your starter is bad or 3) you have a bad connection either at the battery or at the starter.  Sounds more likely line 1) or 3)  due to the fact you said it cranks slow, then clicks.

1) test the battery.  Needs to have at lest 12 volts (should be 12.3-12.5) at rest.  During, and immediately after trying to crank the engine, it should still hold around at least 10 volts (really should be a little higher)- exact number depends on the temperature (this is a load test)

2) check connections at the starter and the battery - both the B+ and the ground.  clean any corrosion.   "wiggle" the connection as you are tightening it to make sure of good contact.

3) You can try to boost the battery with jumper cables, or a booster box, if you have doubts about the battery.

4) you can isolate the starter if you need to, by using jumper cables from another known good battery or a booster box, to test the starter itself.  This would be trickier, but can be done.

Attachments: (Clear attachments)

Restrictions: 6 per post (6 remaining), maximum total size 64.00 MB, maximum individual size 29.30 MB

Uncheck the attachments you no longer want attached

Click or drag files here to attach them.

Insert width (px):

Insert height (px):

(Clear attachments)

Other options

Lock this topic
Return to this topic
Don't use smileys
Move this topic

Shortcuts: ALT+S post or ALT+P preview

Topic summary

Posted by FloridaDrifter

- February 23, 2015, 19:04:16 PM

Installed a new fully charged battery (old one was from 2010), changed plugs. Engine cranks very slowly and then clicks. I'm at a loss.

Posted by John Hopkins

- February 14, 2015, 11:33:12 AM

Quote from: FloridaDrifter on February 13, 2015, 17:19:32 PM
Oil level was checked and a-ok. I'm going to trickle charge the batt tonight.

Trickle charging the battery is not the same as checking it.. You can trickle charge a faulty battery until hell freezes over and it won't fix it.

Test the voltage after it has been standing for at least an hour, expect 12.6v dc. then try starting it and switch it off and measure it again, expect 12.6v dc..

John.

Posted by FloridaDrifter

- February 13, 2015, 20:08:34 PM

Was running fine before the oil change, but I think you're right, the battery is failing. I probably haven't noticed because its happened over time. I'll start with a battery charge and see if that cures it.

Posted by JagLite

- February 13, 2015, 17:39:47 PM

Was it running fine before the oil change?
Had you run it to warm up the oil?
Has it been starting fine before?

Posted by greenbarn

- February 13, 2015, 17:37:53 PM

Quote from: FloridaDrifter on February 13, 2015, 16:27:46 PM
Changed the oil & filter.

Now bike will crank but won't turn over and oil light comes on. Here's my plan of attack.

1) Plugs (going to change this weekend, they're due)
2) Fuel injection clogged? (is there a "low-oil" sensor that may have gotten clogged?)

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Can you be more specific?? Turning over is the same as cranking. Perhaps, does it crank, but won't crank fast enough to run?? The fuel injection needs GOOD voltage to make it work. If the motor is cranking slowly (doesn't even SEEM that slow) then it will not get fuel and will not run. On the oil light - you would expect the oil light to be on unless it is running. The engine has to build oil pressure (has to be running) to turn the light off.

My suspicion is the battery is failing. Need to have around 12.6 volts, and it should never drop below 10 or 11 volts when cranking.

Posted by FloridaDrifter

- February 13, 2015, 17:19:32 PM

Quote from: John Hopkins on February 13, 2015, 17:09:54 PM
This will sound silly but..

Check the oil level.

check the battery voltage.

John.

Oil level was checked and a-ok.

I'm going to trickle charge the batt tonight.

Posted by John Hopkins

- February 13, 2015, 17:09:54 PM

This will sound silly but..

Check the oil level.

check the battery voltage.

John.

Posted by FloridaDrifter

- February 13, 2015, 16:27:46 PM

Changed the oil & filter.

Now bike will crank but won't turn over and oil light comes on. Here's my plan of attack.

1) Plugs (going to change this weekend, they're due)
2) Fuel injection clogged? (is there a "low-oil" sensor that may have gotten clogged?)

Any ideas would be appreciated.

SMF spam blocked by CleanTalk