AndrewA
New Member
OK - wondering if the collective and accumulated wisdom here might be able to help. Here's the situation: 2014 ES (bought new in 10/2014), 32k miles, original battery (reads 12.6 - 12.7V), original starter, etc. Went to start it for a ride today, and ...
1. disconnected battery tender lead & backed bike out of garage
2. turned ignition key to 'On'. Lights came on, fuel pump cycled - everything seems normal
3. kill switch was in 'Run' position, so I depressed it to 'Start' to fire the engine .... at that point EVERYTHING died...
Engine didn't even attempt to turn over. Electrical power seemed to instantly disappear - no lights, display, nothing. The ABS light seemed to flicker, and there was a clicking sound from under the cowl, but that's it. Putting the multi-meter on the battery at this point shows it jumping around between 4.3 and 6.5V. After about a minute of this, everything somehow resets - lights and display come back on, fuel pump cycles, and it seems ready to go. Multi-meter shows 12.5 - 12.7V again. Hit the 'Start' button, and the exact same thing happens all over again.
Not sure if it matters, but I rode 250-ish miles on Sunday with no issues or indication of issues - but now that I think of it, i don't think I shut the bike off the entire time on that ride. Filled up at the beginning, and was short on time getting home, so didn't refill before parking it. I am definitely on 'reserve' fuel, but should have at least 1/2 gallon - i can hear it sloshing around in there, so I wouldn't think that would have anything to do with it.
Buddy of mine says he thinks it's mechanical, not electrical - something with the starter perhaps... or maybe the engine is seized (I can't imagine that's likely at all).
Ideas? I'm going to go check and make sure the starter solenoid is firmly attached, because I think I've heard it can get loose and cause problems. Let me know if there's anything else I should check or try. Thanks!!!
Andrew
1. disconnected battery tender lead & backed bike out of garage
2. turned ignition key to 'On'. Lights came on, fuel pump cycled - everything seems normal
3. kill switch was in 'Run' position, so I depressed it to 'Start' to fire the engine .... at that point EVERYTHING died...
Engine didn't even attempt to turn over. Electrical power seemed to instantly disappear - no lights, display, nothing. The ABS light seemed to flicker, and there was a clicking sound from under the cowl, but that's it. Putting the multi-meter on the battery at this point shows it jumping around between 4.3 and 6.5V. After about a minute of this, everything somehow resets - lights and display come back on, fuel pump cycles, and it seems ready to go. Multi-meter shows 12.5 - 12.7V again. Hit the 'Start' button, and the exact same thing happens all over again.
Not sure if it matters, but I rode 250-ish miles on Sunday with no issues or indication of issues - but now that I think of it, i don't think I shut the bike off the entire time on that ride. Filled up at the beginning, and was short on time getting home, so didn't refill before parking it. I am definitely on 'reserve' fuel, but should have at least 1/2 gallon - i can hear it sloshing around in there, so I wouldn't think that would have anything to do with it.
Buddy of mine says he thinks it's mechanical, not electrical - something with the starter perhaps... or maybe the engine is seized (I can't imagine that's likely at all).
Ideas? I'm going to go check and make sure the starter solenoid is firmly attached, because I think I've heard it can get loose and cause problems. Let me know if there's anything else I should check or try. Thanks!!!
Andrew