Diagnosis - Battery Issue??

TitanMonsterS4R · April 29, 2011, 06:26:07 AM

Two days ago after riding my 05 S2R800 around the corner and then parking her for 2 hours she failed to start up. Took 30 minutes of just sitting there to get her finally moving. Plugged her into a battery tender over night and the following day she fired right up.

Fast forward to this morning. Didn't ride her yesterday and when I went outside to start her she fired right up. Let her warm up for a bit and then shut her off. Finally came out to get on her to head to work and nothing.......She kept trying to turn over and she couldn't do it. Plugger her into my battery tender and let her sit for about 30-45 minutes and still nothing (battery tender indicator light remained yellow)

I take it she most likely needs a new battery and nothing else. This is the original battery!

Could there be another reason as to why she won't start?

stopintime · April 29, 2011, 06:29:31 AM

If it's 5 years old, it wouldn't be a bombshell if it's done.

Then again, it could be more complicated......

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=48494.0

Slide Panda · April 29, 2011, 07:23:29 AM

Occams Razor says it's just a battery that's gone out to pasture

TitanMonsterS4R · April 29, 2011, 09:20:24 AM

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

I swapped out the battery and it took her a while to fire up. Is this normal? Coleman had a battery that they already charged (so they say) so I took it. I rode her for about an hour and then turned her off at my office. I turned her back on again just to make sure she started and she did. I [plan on checking her again in another hour or so and letting her run for a bit. If she continues to die, I take it I have more than a battery issue (just in time for warm weather in DC)? Could this be a spark plug/starter issue by chance given the battery is 'new'?

Slide Panda · April 29, 2011, 09:31:49 AM

If the battery is good, and lets assume it is - then yes you might have another issue.

Can you detail 'a while to fire up' What's happening, or not - some more criteria.

Also have you done any electrics mods over the winter - or and general fussing that might have knocked a ground or other wire loose?

TitanMonsterS4R · April 29, 2011, 10:04:43 AM

Quote from: Sad Panda on April 29, 2011, 09:31:49 AM
If the battery is good, and lets assume it is - then yes you might have another issue.

Can you detail 'a while to fire up' What's happening, or not - some more criteria.

Also have you done any electrics mods over the winter - or and general fussing that might have knocked a ground or other wire loose?

WHen i put hte key in the ignition and turn it to the position right before I engage the starter all the diagnostic and lights appear and disappear as they should. The dials sweep across and then rest at 0. When I turn the key to have the engine fire up, she tries to turnover but can't make it all the way. She'll do this for a bit and then I end up turning her off again so I don't kill the starter. It sounds just like what happens when you leave your car lights on and the battery is drained, The starter tries to kick over but doesn't have enough joice from the battery to get it going. I didn't do any serious electrical mods this winter. Changed out the headlight from the single lamp to the dual one, replaced the bulbs (1 H4 white and 1 H4 super white) got rid of the turn signals in the back and went with an integrated one and swapped out the front turn signals for ones that were smaller.

Not sure whether this makes a difference at all or not, but when I installed my rearset, I didn't have a spot to connect the brake switch so it's currently just wrapped up to my bike. Should I disconnect that cord? Could that be the drain?

Slide Panda · April 29, 2011, 10:14:00 AM

The rear brake switch shouldn't be an issue.

The lights shouldn't have that dramatic an effect. When the bike is off they wouldn't be able to drain the battery. But - for the sake of elimination you might unplug them (tail light and new signals) to be sure there's not something super odd going on there.

- But it really does sound like you've got a weak battery. If you gave it a bump start would it fire right up? When the battery on my 900 was on it's last legs, if the bike sat a few days it wouldn't have enough power to turn the engine enough to start it. I'd have to get the bike rolling a bit in 2nd and thumb the starter at the same time as letting out the clutch for just a moment. The combination of weakened starter and the force coming through the drive line would fire it right up. Once running it'd stay so.

A new battery got rid of that fun game of 'will I have to bump it'

TitanMonsterS4R · April 29, 2011, 10:33:23 AM

Just popped outside to try starting her again to see if she would and she did. So hoping that it was jsut a battery issue. Unplugged the rear brak like switch just to be sure.

Thanks for all the advice.

Howie · April 29, 2011, 11:16:05 AM

It is good preventive maintenance to replace a five year old battery, but it is not a good diagnostic technique if you are having a problem. Fully charge and load test is how you find a battery is bad.

Ddan · April 29, 2011, 12:10:03 PM

Check your frame ground and starter connection, too.

TitanMonsterS4R · April 29, 2011, 12:12:30 PM

Quote from: Dan on April 29, 2011, 12:10:03 PM
Check your frame ground and starter connection, too.

Noob question - where is the starter connection located?

ducatiz · April 29, 2011, 12:17:18 PM

Quote from: Sad Panda on April 29, 2011, 07:23:29 AM
Occams Razor says it's just a battery that's gone out to pasture

that wouldn't apply here as one can use tools to determine where the failure has occurred and doesn't need to use logic to eliminate bad explanations.

Ddan · April 29, 2011, 12:18:32 PM

Quote from: MadDuc 20/20 on April 29, 2011, 12:12:30 PM
Noob question - where is the starter connection located?

on the starter

Front of the motor, on the right side down low. When you check the connection make SURE you don't turn the stud the wire is connected to, hold the nut that's below the wire and turn the one above.

Ddan · April 29, 2011, 12:19:27 PM

Quote from: ducatiz on April 29, 2011, 12:17:18 PM
that wouldn't apply here as one can use tools to determine where the failure has occurred and doesn't need to use logic to eliminate bad explanations.

But there is a logical order to what you use the tools on.

TitanMonsterS4R · April 29, 2011, 12:33:32 PM

Quote from: Dan on April 29, 2011, 12:18:32 PM
on the starter

Front of the motor, on the right side down low. When you check the connection make SURE you don't turn the stud the wire is connected to, hold the nut that's below the wire and turn the one above.

Thanks Dan. Will take a look in a bit and make sure I don't turn the STUD the wire is connected to

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Diagnosis - Battery Issue??