Help! Engine won't start..

[dwu819]

Here's the story.. I rode my 03 999s out yesterday. When I was about to ride home, it just wouldn't start. I thought maybe it's the battery issue cause when I turn the key to "on" the voltage was 11.7 or 11.8. I took the battery out and charge it overnight. I went back to the bike this morning and put the fully charged battery back in but it just wouldn't start. I heard many clicking but it just wouldn't start. I tried so many times until flame came out from my exhaust and I heard an explosion. I let it sit for a few hours and went back to try again I got no clicking but a explosion sound coming from my exhaust. The seller said if I use too much choke to start the bike I might burned the spark plugs? Would that be the issue I'm having the problem?


p.s according to the seller this is a new battery and I tested it with voltmeter it showed 13.2 after charging.

[dwu819]

Forgot to mention. The bike has almost 7k and last service was 4500 miles.

p.s If there a mechanic in NYC area? 

[64duc]

 Voltage is not an indicator of battery condition or it's ability to start your engine. You need to take it to a shop and have it load tested.  11.8 volts after a ride, and before you try to restart, is not good either. I would expect 13.2 to 13.6 for the first couple of hours, and 12.1 to 12.5 the next day. If your battery tests good, or you put a new one in, disassemble and clean (wire brush) the other ends of your battery cables and their mounting points. After you get the bike running test voltage at the battery. Should be in the 15 volt range.

Too much choke will not "burn" your plugs, it will foul them. They will be wet and maybe black and wet.

[He Man]

A good way to load test it is to put the voltmeter on the battery and press the starter. if the during the starting stage the voltage drops to about 10 or below, the battery is no good.

[dwu819]

Thx guys, I'll try again later today. What about the explosion?? It scared me a little..I'm afraid to try to start it today and get the same explosion again..

[Slide Panda]

The explosion was from your efforts. It was vaporized gasoline that had collected in the exhaust and ignited.

BTW, you have no choke. Chokes are only on carbs. the 999 will have a fast idle.

You heard clicking - but did the engine ever turn over when you hit the starter at all?

Though it's not super common for a battery to suddenly die it does happen. Usually it'll get weak and you'll notice the bike is reluctant to start - but my last battery kicked the bucket rather suddenly one day so it can happen.

And when bikes suddenly won't start and there's been no damage, much of the time it is the battery.

[dwu819]

Alright guys. I'm gonna buy a new battery and see if it fix the problem. Is there any specific brand or model I should get to fit with my bike?

[TAftonomos]

Is it even turning over, but not "catching"?  Or is it just making a CLICK noise when you hit the start button?

[Langanobob]

Alright guys. I'm gonna buy a new battery and see if it fix the problem. Is there any specific brand or model I should get to fit with my bike?

Like Sad Panda said it probably is your battery - but...I wish I had my money back for every time I've bought a new battery or some other part that I thought was the problem, only to find out it was something else.

Maybe bring your battery to a shop and get it load tested to make sure it needs replacing?

Bob

[Howie]

Alright guys. I'm gonna buy a new battery and see if it fix the problem. Is there any specific brand or model I should get to fit with my bike?

Charge the battery and have it load tested before purchasing a new battery.  Just replacing it is an expensive and inaccurate diagnostic technique.  Then check the charging system.