Battery dying? or more serious problem?

[bamico]

Went for a ride on Sat, and shut the bike down when I got home to the driveway. Opened the garage door and started the bike to pull it in. Got the bike in place, shut it down and then immediately tried to re-start it.

 

I got a series of clicks and then all the electical shut down. No headlights, no spedo display, nothing. Waited ~20 seconds trying to think what the issue was, and then, all the electrical (including headlights) came back on. Trying to start it at that point, once again gave me the clicking noises and an electrical shut down. Waited another 20 seconds and once again, all the electrical returned (including headlights).

 

I have passing lamps on the bikes and a Stebel air horn with a relay.

No other electrical mods.

 

Any ideas on what the issue may be?

 

The dealer replaced the battery when I bought it the bike used in 2009. Claims he put a new battery in it, which would make this the 3rd season on the battery. I run ~10k miles a year, mostly in 1hr rides.

 

I searched the forum for similar posts, but didn't find anything relating these specific symptoms.

 

I'd greatly appreciate any suggestions.

 

Heading to Americade in 2 weeks, would like to get this issue resolved ASAP.

 

Bob

[bamico]

When I checked the battery, there was some sort of black corrosion around the negative terminal. It came right off with a soft brush.

[calperin]

One thing to check is the starter.

 

If the starter is draining too much (bad rotor, or shortcircuit on the stator) can kill your battery.

 

Only way to know that is to charge the battery, and measure the consumption on the start process. Best way is to use a clamp amperimeter around one of the starter cable.

 

if the battery doesn't take charge, you use a jump cable to your car battery.

 

Regards,

[OB-1]

This could be an ignition switch problem...

[bkuhr]

When I checked the battery, there was some sort of black corrosion around the negative terminal. It came right off with a soft brush.

My first thought with 1st post, then this post confirms...

Loose ground connection at the battery.

Loose=heat and discoloration/corrosion

Disconnect and sand post and terminal till clean, then reassembly snugly.

[N3FOL]

At the very least,get an idea what your battery voltage is....

[Guest]

Bob, take your battery out and bring it to an auto parts store and have it load tested. Sounds like you may have dropped a cell or two. Mine did the same thing and it was a bad battery. Starter relay could also be bad but test the battery first. Clean connections are also a must.

[adventurer 08]

I just had to replace a 14 mouth old battery that would not hold a charge. It was a top battery i bought from a Yamaha dealer. It had a one year warranty.

[calperin]

I just had to replace a 14 mouth old battery that would not hold a charge. It was a top battery i bought from a Yamaha dealer. It had a one year warranty.

It never fails. 99.99% of the cases, allways happens problem show up when warranty expires. I remember to pay extended warranty for 4 years on a Toshiba 60" TV proyection back on 2004. Of course in 2009 got a power supply issue were the replacement cost 60% of my new 55" LCD.

 

QC is improving their calculations.

:080402gudl_prv:

[bamico]

Thanks to all for the suggestions.

 

Pulled the battery, had it load tested, and sure enough... it didn't do so well.

 

Put in the new battery, confirmed correct charging of the system, and we're off and riding.

 

Thanks again.

 

Ride Safe.

 

Bob

[felix]

There is a relay on your stebel horn they have a tendency to short out probably have one for the light bar as well not sure if you wired to switch and battery direct. I would check the relay if its shot it will b e pretty warm to the touch and have burned terminal posts. This will run down your battery:twing:sorry didnt read that you got a new battery. I keep all the batterys on a battery tender their cheap and keep your battery charged full always. A full constant charge will make the battery live twice as long