ugh. starting problems

[bluelespaul]

heres the story. today i took the GS out for a spin, got gas and such, rode around for a little while longer then came home to chill for a bit and grab some food. but then i went to go out for a little bit on it again and realized that i left the key in it by mistake. i didnt think much of it at first, until the bike wouldn't start. then i took the battery out thinking it must have just died and i checked it with the multimeter and it still has about 11.5V. i don't know how sensitive the GS is but i know my mustang managed to start with under 11V in the battery.

So. do you guys think it might be that the battery needs a full 12V, or is it something else. note that all of the lights and the horn still works and when i try to start it the relay just makes 2 little clicks.

[Jay_wolf]

yep that clicking is the starter motor , it happens when theres not enuff power in it , that happened to me before , yea just charge it im sure it will start staight away

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

put it on a 1 amp trickle charger overnight, it'll be fine. The GS is cranky when it comes to batteries.

[simon79]

yep that clicking is the starter motor , it happens when theres not enuff power in it , that happened to me before , yea just charge it im sure it will start staight away

I'd say + 1 on this all...
Batteries can act very strange sometimes, they'll start your engine, you'll ride a few miles, you pull over, try to restart but all you hear is a click from the starter relay... It's exactly what happened to a friend of mine's CB500, we had to push it to start.
And it also happened to me on my previous scooter,not to mention my car...one fine morning I went downstairs to start it and...bang!!battery RIP...

The fact that you can still operate lights and horn and stuff is not significant, these devices need just a little current, a weak/dying battery will still switch'em on, but a starting motor requires waaaaaay more...

Charge it overnight, worst case scenario is that you'll have to get a new battery...

[scratch]

And, make sure the fluids are up to the proper levels.  Use distilled water.

I forget, if you lose a cell, how much voltage do you lose?

[bluelespaul]

i finally got a charger. i guess ill find out what happens tomorrow when i try to go to school.

[FearedGS500]

makesure its has enough water in it !

[bluelespaul]

just filled it up before putting it on the charger

[annguyen1981]

+1 to the battery.

Also, be careful about NOT turning the key past the LOCK position...  If you do, the tail lights and the small mini bulb in fron turn on...  (guages too I think).  I did that a couple times and needed to charge the battery.

[annguyen1981]

Matt

Any update on the battery?

Also...  what kind of charger did ya get?  I'm looking to get one for my R6, since I'm gonna be tinkering with the electrical system... I've already got HID headlights added in and the KnightRider lights in back...  I don't wanna be stuck out in nowhere land without any juice.

[bluelespaul]

Matt

Any update on the battery?

Also...  what kind of charger did ya get?  I'm looking to get one for my R6, since I'm gonna be tinkering with the electrical system... I've already got HID headlights added in and the KnightRider lights in back...  I don't wanna be stuck out in nowhere land without any juice.

honestly, i just waited for my neighbor to get home and asked borrow his haha. it was a little 1 amp charger that just plugged into the wall like a cell phone charger. i can ask where he got it if you need to know.

as far as the old battery went, it shaZam! the bed totally. i charged it for over 14 hours and it just wouldn't keep any juice. any time i would hit the on button the battery would drop to under 5v so i just got a new one.

but i do have one question. im feeling like i got hosed to shaZam! today when i went and bought my new battery they charged me f-ing 90 bucks!! i was expecting to pay no more then 50$ 

i was surprised how much i missed riding the GS for that one day though, even only after having been able to drive it for 2 days. i almost put 70 miles on it just today! i guess im kinda addicted to it, now i just need to do the MSF course to get my license so i can drive after dark. curfews blow.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

I paid $41, shipped for my OEM battery from motorcyclebatteriesusa.com ... you got hosed.

[annguyen1981]

Matt

Any update on the battery?

Also...  what kind of charger did ya get?  I'm looking to get one for my R6, since I'm gonna be tinkering with the electrical system... I've already got HID headlights added in and the KnightRider lights in back...  I don't wanna be stuck out in nowhere land without any juice.

honestly, i just waited for my neighbor to get home and asked borrow his haha. it was a little 1 amp charger that just plugged into the wall like a cell phone charger. i can ask where he got it if you need to know.

as far as the old battery went, it shaZam! the bed totally. i charged it for over 14 hours and it just wouldn't keep any juice. any time i would hit the on button the battery would drop to under 5v so i just got a new one.

but i do have one question. im feeling like i got hosed to shaZam! today when i went and bought my new battery they charged me f-ing 90 bucks!! i was expecting to pay no more then 50$ 

i was surprised how much i missed riding the GS for that one day though, even only after having been able to drive it for 2 days. i almost put 70 miles on it just today! i guess im kinda addicted to it, now i just need to do the MSF course to get my license so i can drive after dark. curfews blow.

Hmm...  I'd bring the battery to someone to check for free.  I've always used my sister's car battery charger.  It uses an automated detection something or other...  so you can use it for car, boat, and cycle batteries.

Of course, the damn thing weights a good 15 pounds, and it cost around $100.

I'm cheap.  Looking for something a little lighter and more affordable.