'00 900 died on start - thougts?

[Slide Panda]

Back story - I have done little exploration on this as it just happened. Due to a full tank I haven't gone under it yet

After being stuck in some stop and go traffic I had to pull off to help a buddy. Once his problem was solved got back on the 900, all lights came on with the key. But when I hit the starter it engaged for a fraction of a second and everything died. No dash lights, no fuel pump zippo

Some cursory prodding caused the main (5 prong) relay under the seat to buzz a bit. We were right by a moto shop an snagged a replacement, swapped it in - but no change. 

Some prodding of the battery cable did get variations in the buzzing, but nothing that got the bike going. 

Obviously I need to start looking under the tank. Battery connections and 40 amp main fuse are first. Any other thoughts on high priority items to check?

If it was that main fuse, any thoughts on what might blow it? Logic says the starter... But any other thoughts?

[Ddan]

The only thing I've had blow that fuse is a pinched wire from the fuel pump.  Don't forget to check the grounds

[Slide Panda]

As I haven't had the tank up in a while probably not a short/pinched wire going to the pump.

Any one ground more likely to work loose than another?

Any notion why that relay was buzzing?

[citizin]

I've gotten that buzzing and clicking before when the battery connections were crappy

[ducpainter]

I've gotten that buzzing and clicking before when the battery connections were crappy

That would be my first look.

...as well as the ground under the battery tray.

If your bike has the old style ignition boxes the frame to engine ground is crucial.

[Howie]

Since messing with the battery cable alters the buzz you probably have a loose/dirty connection at the battery.
Remove, tighten, clean.  Since the bad connection could prevent proper charging you may need to recharge the battery.  A load test would be a good idea to make sure the battery is good.

[Slide Panda]

If your bike has the old style ignition boxes the frame to engine ground is crucial.

Know when they swapped? It's a 2000 900.. so it's a bit of an odd ball, being the first of the injected Monsters.

[Slide Panda]

Ok battery is fine. Main ground is clean and secure and all fuses are good but the bike is still dead. 

I'm assuming yes, but a dead voltage regulator would kill any life in the bike right?

Any way to test one? Or do I just have to buy a new one and hope?

[Ddan]

No, unless the battery was flat dead as well

[Slide Panda]

Then color me stumped. Anyone got further suggestions?

[DucHead]

check the ground wire for the ECU.  I left mine loose once after moving/re-routing some things, and the bike died whilst running.

Luckily, I know where to look when my bike dies after I've worked on it.  

[ducpainter]

Know when they swapped? It's a 2000 900.. so it's a bit of an odd ball, being the first of the injected Monsters.

If you have the first year of the injected Monster  then yes, they were kind of a mongrel.

They used FI with the old style Kokusan ignition boxes. The ecu is a one year only deal too IIRC.

Have you broken out the voltmeter yet?

[Slide Panda]

Ok, now that I'm on a real keyboard...

After poking and prodding, still no real change. That 5 prong relay, listed as the 'main relay' in the haynes manual is still buzzing. I've put a volt meter on it. There's a larger diameter red+orange wire that's delivering 12.2 volts to it, via the 30 amp fuse in the fuse box. 12.2v is the same as the battery.

That relay is still buzzing - I have not checked if anything is going back out of it when it's plugged in as I ran out of time tonight.

About my only new observation is that the frequency of the buzzing increases over time. No sure what that's about... but perhaps someone with more knowledge might.

I've checked the main ground and the ECU ground, both were in place and solid even before I redid them. Though having the ECU connected or disconnected doesn't seem to change anything at this time.

Checked, cleaned and reconnected a bunch of other connection points just in case... but it's still dead.

[ducpainter]

Are there 2 similar relays under the seat?

There should be I think. Try swapping them and see if the buzzing stops and everything powers up.

If it stops buzzing it probably won't start because the other relay is for the injection.

howie knows how to jump that...it's posted on the forum somewhere.

[Slide Panda]

There are two. The problem child is the 5 prong 'main' the other is 3 prongs for the turn signals.