Good Battery, Still Won't Crank

SticknRudderPilot · 03-21-2012, 12:30 PM

Thanks to the board I've got my new battery in, replaced the main fuse blown from hooking the leads up opposite, and all is well when I turn the key on. Hit the starter, however, and I get nothing.

Funny thing is, that's why I replaced the battery to begin with; the guy at AutoZone said it failed the load test. So I take both batteries back and they both test good now...fantastic. What I was experiencing before was an intermittent starting issue -- I'd kick the starter a few times and get nothing, but would fire on the fourth or fifth go. I'm assuming it's a loose connection now...anybody have any educated guesses on where to start looking before I go to town on this thing?

Also, are there any other fuses I should check? The little fuse box behind and to the right of the battery all checks good...looking for the starter solenoid which I've been told has a 30A fuse. Assuming the little box with a clear cover behind the battery but on the left is it, though it has two 15A fuses. Service departments have been no help here. Any ideas? Thanks!

Super Googan · 03-21-2012, 01:16 PM

Sounds like your on the right track looking at fuses and loose connections.
Take a look at the switches too, side stand, clutch/neutral and the start and kill switches at the bars.
Take a look at the main ground on the block too.

SticknRudderPilot · 03-21-2012, 09:31 PM

Faaaantastic...what really makes me scratch my head, however, is that the intermittent starting issue seems so related to having the bike sit for some time. After I had gotten it started with the old battery after the fourth or fifth attempt, I wouldn't have any issues firing her back up for that day while I was riding...It was the same the last half a dozen rides or so I had taken. Strange...I'll give it another shot tomorrow. Maybe more of the same?

loosenut · 03-21-2012, 09:57 PM

Sounds like a bad starter switch, or run/stop switch.

TJ 351 · 03-21-2012, 11:49 PM

Check those connections and switches, like the guys have suggested.

But were you serious about actually kicking the starter - and then after a few more attempts it would work??
If so, along with your other description of once it started, it would then restart - makes it seem like it could be a bad starter. I don't know it it has brushes but something similar to worn brushes could be going on with it. Once it is started, sounds like the heat expands some material just enough to make a good electrical contact. --- It cools down and the contact material contracts to the point of no more electrical contact - then your boot jostles it a little... back into action.

If this is it - it likely won't continue to work like this - it will finally fail completely - when the material is worn away - or completely misplaced - or --whatever ...

Some head scratching for you...

SticknRudderPilot · 03-26-2012, 05:29 PM

Head-scratching for sure...I'll be talking to the dealer tomorrow I hope. In the meantime, still have plenty to keep me busy; tackling a new clutch in my car which may run me only into Wednesday if all goes well. Doesn't need it really, but with 260K on the original it's time to start thinking about it, and I'll never have the right combination of time/access to a lift like I do this week ha. Machines. ::shakes head::

SticknRudderPilot · 04-01-2012, 11:41 AM

It's a connection issue for sure! And I'm assuming it's at the starter, as it starts right up if I wiggle the bike just right while kicking the starter button. I'll save that project for next weekend. Was just glad to ride today!

eflyguy · 04-01-2012, 02:09 PM

Why are you kicking the button? It's mounted on the bars so you can use your thumb to operate it.
..a

SticknRudderPilot · 04-01-2012, 07:43 PM

Still getting a hang of this whole opposable thumb thing.

SticknRudderPilot · 04-04-2012, 08:41 PM

Well, took the tank/lines and airbox off today. Took one look at the intake system and decided I didn't feel like messing with it any deeper while it's under warranty. I did, however, poke around the wires/connections/starter a bit...Put it all back together and she fires right up, every time. Nothing was loose but I'm not going to worry about it. Just ride more.

Thanks!

TJ 351 · 04-05-2012, 01:04 PM

If you are able to "wiggle" wires and then the starter works - that suggests loose connection somewhere. Somewhere - where you "wiggled". You could go back to those wires and check - then tighten connections.

stretch160 · 04-05-2012, 01:13 PM

If it is not cranking at all check all of your fuses. I blew a small fuse to my blinkers earlier this year and the bike wouldn't start until I replaced it.

03-21-2012, 12:30 PM	#1
SticknRudderPilot Current '08 FZ6 and '81 CB750K Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kingsville, TX Posts: 116	Good Battery, Still Won't Crank Thanks to the board I've got my new battery in, replaced the main fuse blown from hooking the leads up opposite, and all is well when I turn the key on. Hit the starter, however, and I get nothing. Funny thing is, that's why I replaced the battery to begin with; the guy at AutoZone said it failed the load test. So I take both batteries back and they both test good now...fantastic. What I was experiencing before was an intermittent starting issue -- I'd kick the starter a few times and get nothing, but would fire on the fourth or fifth go. I'm assuming it's a loose connection now...anybody have any educated guesses on where to start looking before I go to town on this thing? Also, are there any other fuses I should check? The little fuse box behind and to the right of the battery all checks good...looking for the starter solenoid which I've been told has a 30A fuse. Assuming the little box with a clear cover behind the battery but on the left is it, though it has two 15A fuses. Service departments have been no help here. Any ideas? Thanks!

03-21-2012, 09:57 PM	#4
loosenut Now where did that come from? Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Milpitas, CA Posts: 2,545	Sounds like a bad starter switch, or run/stop switch. __________________ Loosenut A.K.A. Mike YouTube channel - Mike Loosenut 2007 Yamaha FZ1 - Raven. Modded out 2005 GasGas EC300 (with plate), 2004 GasGas Pampera 280 (hers) And the 1975 CB500T Cafe project bike

04-01-2012, 02:09 PM	#8
eflyguy FZ1² Join Date: May 2010 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 14,482	Why are you kicking the button? It's mounted on the bars so you can use your thumb to operate it. ..a __________________ '01 FZ1 set up for distance '07 FZ1 set up for fun (both in the faster blue) Which would you prefer?

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03-21-2012, 01:16 PM	#2
Super Googan Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 390	Sounds like your on the right track looking at fuses and loose connections. Take a look at the switches too, side stand, clutch/neutral and the start and kill switches at the bars. Take a look at the main ground on the block too.

03-21-2012, 09:31 PM	#3
SticknRudderPilot Current '08 FZ6 and '81 CB750K Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kingsville, TX Posts: 116	Faaaantastic...what really makes me scratch my head, however, is that the intermittent starting issue seems so related to having the bike sit for some time. After I had gotten it started with the old battery after the fourth or fifth attempt, I wouldn't have any issues firing her back up for that day while I was riding...It was the same the last half a dozen rides or so I had taken. Strange...I'll give it another shot tomorrow. Maybe more of the same?

03-21-2012, 11:49 PM	#5
TJ 351 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Ohio - outside the big cities - for which I am grateful Posts: 1,916	Check those connections and switches, like the guys have suggested. But were you serious about actually kicking the starter - and then after a few more attempts it would work?? If so, along with your other description of once it started, it would then restart - makes it seem like it could be a bad starter. I don't know it it has brushes but something similar to worn brushes could be going on with it. Once it is started, sounds like the heat expands some material just enough to make a good electrical contact. --- It cools down and the contact material contracts to the point of no more electrical contact - then your boot jostles it a little... back into action. If this is it - it likely won't continue to work like this - it will finally fail completely - when the material is worn away - or completely misplaced - or --whatever ... Some head scratching for you...

03-26-2012, 05:29 PM	#6
SticknRudderPilot Current '08 FZ6 and '81 CB750K Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kingsville, TX Posts: 116	Head-scratching for sure...I'll be talking to the dealer tomorrow I hope. In the meantime, still have plenty to keep me busy; tackling a new clutch in my car which may run me only into Wednesday if all goes well. Doesn't need it really, but with 260K on the original it's time to start thinking about it, and I'll never have the right combination of time/access to a lift like I do this week ha. Machines. ::shakes head::

04-01-2012, 11:41 AM	#7
SticknRudderPilot Current '08 FZ6 and '81 CB750K Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kingsville, TX Posts: 116	It's a connection issue for sure! And I'm assuming it's at the starter, as it starts right up if I wiggle the bike just right while kicking the starter button. I'll save that project for next weekend. Was just glad to ride today!

04-01-2012, 07:43 PM	#9
SticknRudderPilot Current '08 FZ6 and '81 CB750K Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kingsville, TX Posts: 116	Still getting a hang of this whole opposable thumb thing.

04-04-2012, 08:41 PM	#10
SticknRudderPilot Current '08 FZ6 and '81 CB750K Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kingsville, TX Posts: 116	Well, took the tank/lines and airbox off today. Took one look at the intake system and decided I didn't feel like messing with it any deeper while it's under warranty. I did, however, poke around the wires/connections/starter a bit...Put it all back together and she fires right up, every time. Nothing was loose but I'm not going to worry about it. Just ride more. Thanks!

04-05-2012, 01:04 PM	#11
TJ 351 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Ohio - outside the big cities - for which I am grateful Posts: 1,916	If you are able to "wiggle" wires and then the starter works - that suggests loose connection somewhere. Somewhere - where you "wiggled". You could go back to those wires and check - then tighten connections.

04-05-2012, 01:13 PM	#12
stretch160 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: lyman SC Posts: 669	If it is not cranking at all check all of your fuses. I blew a small fuse to my blinkers earlier this year and the bike wouldn't start until I replaced it.