Bike Won't Start , Advice Needed.

Discussion in 'Technical Help' started by IJH, Oct 27, 2018.

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  1. IJH

    IJH Member

    Jun 18, 2018
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    South Wales
    #1 IJH, Oct 27, 2018
    afternoon guys, came home from work earlier and having already decided to go for a ride tomorrow thought I'd go and check the bike over. Bike started up ok so I thought I'd let it run up to temp while I had a cuppa, anyway when I went to turn it off it died before I had chance to , turned the ignition off then on and only the neutral and management light came on . Sometimes it clicks when I press the starter and sometimes it's just dead also when I bump started it and rode it up the lane and back it died again as soon as I came to a standstill. Any advice greatly appreciated, thought it might be the battery after the temperature dropped in the night but I've never had anything just die on me like that from a flat battery before.

    Cheers
    Ian
     
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  2. Callumity

    Callumity Elite Member

    Feb 25, 2017
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    #2 Callumity, Oct 27, 2018
    Jump it from a car (engine off) and report back on the result......if you need to.
     
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  3. Hack Driver

    Hack Driver Well-Known Member

    Oct 12, 2017
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    Denton, Maryland USA
    #3 Hack Driver, Oct 27, 2018
    I have to agree about jumping it, or charging the battery as a starting point. Batteries can go bad at any time and don't necessarily give you a warning. When you report back, a few details on the bike (e.g. model, year, battery age, do you keep it on a charger, what rpm does the motor 'die', etc.) would be good to help others walk you through the problem. Good Luck.
     
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  4. Tricky-Dicky

    Tricky-Dicky Crème de la Crème

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    #4 Tricky-Dicky, Oct 27, 2018
    Its very likely to be the battery has died due to the sudden drop in temps happens to a lot this time of year, charge it and then check the voltage..if it doesn't hold at least 12v then it needs replacing, also worth checking that the charge circuit is working OK with a meter you should see around 13-14v with engine running.
     
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  5. Adie P

    Adie P Crème de la Crème

    Jul 7, 2018
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    #5 Adie P, Oct 27, 2018
    Hi Ian. I'd suggest that the indications are that the drop in ambient air temperature today has finally killed off an ailing battery. The crap they use for cell plates these days (some form of zinc alloy, I believe) makes the term "lead acid battery" almost meaningless and you tend to hear more and more reports of batteries just dying with little or no forewarning.

    I'd think it's worth trying a boosted charge if you have a boost type charger as it does, occasionally, desulphate the cells and buy a little bit of time, but even then is usually a temporary measure and a precursor to more expense!!

    Hope it is something simple, though.

    Regards,

    Adie

    p.s. looks like Tricky Dicky and I were on the same page at the same time! :))
     
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  6. IJH

    IJH Member

    Jun 18, 2018
    79
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    South Wales
    #6 IJH, Oct 27, 2018
    Thanks guys, I will try what has been suggested. Bike is an 04 speed four, don't know how long the battery has been on it I only bought the bike in June this year. With regards to the rpm the bike dies at , it happens at idle speed.
    Thanks again
    Ian
     
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  7. Callumity

    Callumity Elite Member

    Feb 25, 2017
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    #7 Callumity, Oct 27, 2018
    At idle the alternator may not be putting our enough juice to maintain the voltage required to generate a spark from the coils. A healthy battery can maintain sparks for quite a long time.
     
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  8. joe mc donald

    joe mc donald Joe
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    Dec 26, 2014
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    #8 joe mc donald, Oct 27, 2018
    Ian.
    I think the peeps have answered you question and I feel the same. Battery or rectifier not charging right. And do check the terminals that they are all clean and tight.
    Ride Safe
    Joe
     
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  9. IJH

    IJH Member

    Jun 18, 2018
    79
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    South Wales
    #9 IJH, Oct 28, 2018
    Thanks again for all your replies, I'll get a battery ordered I think and I'll report back when I know the outcome .

    Cheers
    Ian
     
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  10. IJH

    IJH Member

    Jun 18, 2018
    79
    18
    South Wales
    #10 IJH, Oct 30, 2018
    Hi guys, fitted the new battery today and she fired up straight away, just need to get hold of a multimeter to check its charging ok now as my old one has given up the ghost .

    Thanks again for all the advice
    Ian
     
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  11. BigCLM

    BigCLM Senior Member

    Nov 30, 2017
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    #11 BigCLM, Oct 30, 2018
    My suggestion, 9 x out of 10 similar problems for me were due to a bad voltage regulator. I would always check that first to at least rule it out. A new battery (charged) will work for awhile, but if a bad VR, the problem will reoccur.
     
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  12. Yorkshireman

    Yorkshireman Crème de la Crème

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    #12 Yorkshireman, Oct 31, 2018
    Last edited: Oct 31, 2018
    Increase the revs slightly, up to about 3000, when you test the voltage. Expect about 13 to 14 volts.
     
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  13. IJH

    IJH Member

    Jun 18, 2018
    79
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    South Wales
    #13 IJH, Nov 2, 2018
    Quick update , got the bike out today , went to put some fuel in it as it was low and it wouldn't start again. So I had to bump start it on the forecourt and took it straight to my mates garage where he confirmed that it wasn't charging. New regulator/rect I think is my next move.
     
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  14. joe mc donald

    joe mc donald Joe
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    Dec 26, 2014
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    #14 joe mc donald, Nov 2, 2018
    Ljh
    Check for recalls on your model as Triumph had a lot of trouble with rectifiers.
    Ride Free
    Joe
     
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  15. IJH

    IJH Member

    Jun 18, 2018
    79
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    South Wales
    #15 IJH, Nov 8, 2018
    Hi again guys, ordered and fitted a new reg/rec and got a chance to test it today with my mates tester, bad news is it still isn't charging. Before I order a new stator is there any way to check that it's faulty or not or is there anything else I should check as well ?
    Cheers
    Ian
     
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  16. Callumity

    Callumity Elite Member

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    #16 Callumity, Nov 8, 2018
    Tried this?
     
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  17. Callumity

    Callumity Elite Member

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    #17 Callumity, Nov 8, 2018
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  18. IJH

    IJH Member

    Jun 18, 2018
    79
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    South Wales
    #18 IJH, Nov 8, 2018
    Thanks for the video callumity, I ask my mate to check it over .

    Ian
     
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  19. IJH

    IJH Member

    Jun 18, 2018
    79
    18
    South Wales
    #19 IJH, Nov 26, 2018
    Hi again, problem still on going due to lack of time but I'm about to get a new stator , found two listed for my bike a esg932 and a g660 , does anyone know which one of these I need please ?
    Thanks again guys for your help so far .

    Ian
     
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  20. IJH

    IJH Member

    Jun 18, 2018
    79
    18
    South Wales
    #20 IJH, Dec 2, 2018
    Fitted the new stator today and happy to report all is well , just under 13 volts at the battery ( engine off ) and well over 14 volts ( engine running) . So I ended up changing the battery, reg/rec and the stator, a costly problem but I learnt a lot from it .
    Thanks again for all your advice
    Ian
     
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