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Is it my battery or starter?

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  #1  
Old 12-10-2015, 10:45 AM
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Default Is it my battery or starter?

I've had my bike in the garage for 3 months and haven't started it. I tried starting it yesterday and the lights and accessories worked but pushing the start button did nothing... No noise or anything. I put it on the battery charger for 8 hrs. Pushing the start button would make it go Click Click Click but it wouldn't actually start. I put it back on the charger for another 11 hours and same thing just clicks won't start. Should I charge it more or should I get a new battery? Could it be something else?
 
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Old 12-10-2015, 10:58 AM
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You don't say what bike you have, or how old the battery is. If the starter was working last time you rode it, I'm guessing battery. Cold weather doesn't help (slows the chemical reaction that makes electricity).
 
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Old 12-10-2015, 11:38 AM
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Pull the battery and have it tested. Any auto-parts store will do it for free.
 
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Old 12-10-2015, 11:39 AM
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Start with the obvious. Get the battery load tested, that will tell you if you need a new one. Probably do.
If it's gonna sit for a few months get a battery tender and leave it on while parked.
 

Last edited by nevil; 12-10-2015 at 11:41 AM.
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Old 12-10-2015, 11:39 AM
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Clicking means the battery is dead.
 
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Old 12-10-2015, 11:46 AM
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Try a slow trickle charge on it over night. If that doesn't work, your battery is shot.
 
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Old 12-10-2015, 11:58 AM
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Originally Posted by johntaylorny
I've had my bike in the garage for 3 months and haven't started it. I tried starting it yesterday and the lights and accessories worked but pushing the start button did nothing... No noise or anything. I put it on the battery charger for 8 hrs. Pushing the start button would make it go Click Click Click but it wouldn't actually start. I put it back on the charger for another 11 hours and same thing just clicks won't start. Should I charge it more or should I get a new battery? Could it be something else?
It takes just one deep discharge to permanently damage a lead acid battery, ..... and to confirm as others have suggested, charge it overnight and take it to your local Auto store for a free load test.
 
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  #8  
Old 12-10-2015, 12:01 PM
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It's the battery. The clicking sound is the starter solenoid temporarily closing. There isn't enough power from the battery to keep it closed and get power to the starter motor.
 
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Old 12-10-2015, 12:15 PM
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Or it could be as simple as a loose or corroded cable.
 
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Old 12-10-2015, 12:55 PM
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try jump starting it with a car.
Even a shorted battery will jump start.

If the bike starts I would think it's the battery, if it just clicks it would either be the starter or perhaps a loose wire.
 


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