wont start

[loader820]

when i go to start my 1100 vstar the voltage drop to 6.5 volt when not starting it at 12.5 what can it be that the voltage drop. it only tick at the starter relay.it doesnt turn over

[badfish]

Sounds like the battery is dead if you are hearing clicking. There's not enough juice to turn it over. That's why you're seeing the voltage drop while your trying to start it. You'll have to charge the battery.

[drfong]

As in the other thread, your battery is toast, charging it will not help. If it is a regular battery that you need to add water to, you can check and see if it is low. Add only distilled water, not batery acid to top off the fluid to the lines. Then try and charge it. Battery is probably shot and will not come back. Sorry.

[loader820]

it a new battery

[Mustek]

So before you start the bike it has 12 volts?

[loader820]

yes it at 12.4 volt

[Mustek]

Though not a bike expert it seems odd to me that it would have 12.4 volt and not start your bike. I would suggest you get your battery checked at a auto electrician (or somewhere similar). Personally (and again no expert) it doesn't sound like a battery problem if its a new battery and has 12.4 volt when its not being used.

[Mustek]

It could be your regulator possibly. A friend of mine suggested the same when I had problems.

[briang]

I know a car battery should have 13-14 volts even though they are "12" volt

[Mustek]

If you look up a service manual for your bike it will tell you how many volts your battery should have before starting your bike. It will also be able to tell you how many it should have when the bike is running and is being revved. (ie mine says to rev it to 5000)

[Mustek]

Will it run start?

[drfong]

If it's a new battery and you know it's good, then the solenoid or starter is bad. Sounds like the starter won't turn and the excessive draw is pulling down the battery voltage. When you release the button does the voltage rebound? If the starter is locked up and causing that much draw, the starter cables should really be heating up when you push the button. I would disconect the cable right at the starter. Conect the positive lead to your meter right to that cable end. Put your negative lead on the negative terminal of the battery. Set the meter for DC volts and push the button. You should read 12 volts when the button is pushed. If so, the problem is the starter. If voltage drops, back up thru the system and keep checking. Check at the solenoid.

If the battery is not bad, my bet is the starter.

[82 shovel]

check the starter first, then move into ignition components.......key switch, starter switch, things like that.

[loader820]

thank you the positive lead do get hot so i will check it today after work.but i only had the starter for 2 month

[loader820]

i did it an the voltage stayed the same at 12.57 at the starter wire. what should i do change the starter or what

[82 shovel]

you disconnected the starter and got 12.57? if so, is there an external solenoid on it?

[loader820]

i dont know how can i find out

[drfong]

You have 12 volts with the starter wire disconected from the starter, but it drops when it is connected to the starter and the wire gets hot. Yes you have a bad starter.

You are sure the motor is not locked up? If the motor turns over with a wrench or just push starting it, it is the starter. If you just got the starter, it may have been a defective one. What it the history of it? New, rebuilt?

[82 shovel]

the wires would have gone to the solenoid and then to the started if there was an external solenoid.

[loader820]

how would know if the motor is lock are how can i tell. what will make it get lock up

[loader820]

i took the starter off an check an see if the gear on the motor will turn an it did turn so the is not lock up right.then i check an see if the gear on the starter would turn an it did not turn could it be the starter

[82 shovel]

if the motor turned then it is the starter. try putting the starter in a vice and hooking up a 12v battery to it. if it spins then the starter is good. i don't see it turning though

[drfong]

When I was asking if the motor was locked up, i was talking about the engine. You can test the starter off the bike by using a battery and some jumper cables. Hook the neg to the starter case and touch the positive to the starter terminal. If it spins the starter may be good and if not it is definately bad. If it spins, but won't turn the bike over the starter may not work with the load of the engine. You can make sure the engine is not locked up by turning it over with a socket. One side will have a cover that comes off and gives you access to the end of the crank shaft. You can use a socket to turn the engine over.

[loader820]

the engine not lock up it turn .the stater will not spin. second starter what can i do for this that am going though stater like this.

[loader820]

the starter is not good. took it apart gears broke were can i find the gears for the the starter the two small gear inside

[drfong]

What was the story of the starter? Was it new? Was it factory part?

[loader820]

yes it was new but not from the dealer.the two small gears inside of it some of it teeth broke it was the second one .trying to see what keep making it go though starter like that

[webmetalreese]

When I was asking if the motor was locked up, i was talking about the engine. You can test the starter off the bike by using a battery and some jumper cables. Hook the neg to the starter case and touch the positive to the starter terminal. If it spins the starter may be good and if not it is definately bad. If it spins, but won't turn the bike over the starter may not work with the load of the engine. You can make sure the engine is not locked up by turning it over with a socket. One side will have a cover that comes off and gives you access to the end of the crank shaft. You can use a socket to turn the engine over.

I am having a similar problem with my bike kz440 - 81. I replaced the right assembly, now all I get is clicking, got a new battery - same deal.

I was out today and did a "starter relay" check, I have a spark when I connect the two bolts together, but then when I took a piece of wire across them I still got nothing but a click.


I want to check the actual starter now, is this the proper way to do it? Do I have to remove the starter from inside the engine or can I just leave it in there and check it?

Thanks in advance and I'm glad the OP found out his problem!

[loader820]

look in my page an you will see how to do it