Battery or starter problem?

Started by Frosty_spl, October 19, 2009, 03:04:50 PM

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Frosty_spl

My 02 monster 750 had problems starting a few weeks back. It would click, then nothing would happen when I pressed the button. I let it sit for a while. Then it fired up easily.

I rode to work Friday. It cranked in the morning but wouldn't crank in the afternoon. I assumed it was the battery. So icalled the dealer and had them charge one for me. I picked it up the next day and the bike cranked up like normal again. I rode the bike about 100 miles over the weekend.

Today it cranked up and I rode to work. It wouldn't crank again this afternoon. The starter would click but it wouldn't fire.

Is my new battery bad? Is it the starter? If so how much do they cost and are they easy to install?


herm

I had a similar problem about a year ago. check the regulator/rectifier, specifically the wiring connections.
hopefully Howie will chime in with the steps for testing again.
If you drive the nicest car in the neighborhood, work in a cash business, and don't pay taxes, you're either a preacher or a drug dealer...

Frosty_spl

#2
I smelled battery when I stopped at a light tonight. It rode fine otherwise. Kinda made me nervous.

And the gas light came on early for a second too. Im at 83 miles, it usually comes on around 95ish+. Maybe that has something to do with it.

Howie

If you smelled sulfur from your battery stop using your bike,  you will need to run it for diagnostic purposes though.  The smell often indicates overcharging, which will ruin your battery and can harm other electrical items on your bike.  If you have a volt meter, put it across the battery terminals.  If you don't, buy one of find a friend that has one.  Over 14.5 volts at 3000 RPM is overcharging.  More than 15 volts is serious.  If you are overcharging replace the regulator.  Also, have the battery load tested since overcharging may have damaged it.

If you need a regulator, you can get a good aftermarket one here:
http://www.ca-cycleworks.com
ElectroSport Regulator ESR530     1998 up w/3-phase     2112-0062     $109.00
Dis be it.

Electrosport also has an excellent troubleshooting guide on their site
http://www.electrosport.com/technical-resources/library/diagnosis/fault-finding-guide.php

Herb has enlightened you about a common cause of charging system failure on a Duc, where the stator wires connect to the regulator.  The connection often builds high resistance over time and causes all kinds of problems.  Inspect it, particularly looking for heat damage at the connectors and/or stator wires.

Also make sure your battery connections and engine ground are clean and tight.  If all this checks out, then we will teach you how to check the solenoid and starter.

Frosty_spl

Cool thanks! I will check it out this week.

Frosty_spl

#5
So the battery is at 14v at 3k rpm. And my battery connections look perfect. According to the fault finding diagram, my electrical system is ok.

Is it a super pain to take off the side cover to check the connections??


Frosty_spl

So i checked the plug going into the regulator, it looks fine. I checked the sensor coming out of the front left side of the case, looks like it goes from the stator to the regulator, it looked fine too.

How much do independent shops charge per hour for diagnosis? haha

Howie

Since your problem seems to be intermittent, I'm thinking high resistance or the starter.  The best way to find high resistance is by doing what is called voltage drop, the voltage consumed across each connection, wire or component.  This link should help you:
http://www.aa1car.com/library/voltage_drop_testing.htm
Include the solenoid in this test sequence.  You are looking for the drop from the battery cable connection to the connection to the starter.  If you take apart the connection at the starter motor to clean it, be careful, you can break the lug at the internal connection quite easily.  The starter can be checked either by checking out how many amps the starter draws after you do the other checks or by hooking the battery to the starter directly.  Make sure the bike is in neutral, as you will be bypassing all safeties.  

A good independent shop is sometimes a good way to go.  If you want to go that route, post on your local board for a recommendation.


DarkStaR

Check the engine ground near the oil breather.  I had the same symptoms, and that solved it.  YMMV.

Frosty_spl


Frosty_spl

My ground looked ok, had a tiny bit of oxidation, so I cleaned it. Still doesn't fire up. Just clicks.