Battery damaged?

[AG5656]

Hi Guys,

My bike wouldn't start one morning due to a drained battery.  I think it was from a short circuit...I left the front turn signals disconnected - that would cause a short circuit RIGHT?  Now, whether I leave the battery connected OR disconnected to the bike overnight, the power drains (falls to ~12.50 volts) and the bike won't start in the morning (although it almost does).  So, I have to constantly hook it up to a tender and it keeps it charged at ~12.6 volts.  I have tested the carbs (they drain fuel) and the charging system (it causes the battery volts to jump to >14 volts).

MY QUESTION IS: do you think the short circuit that drained my battery in the first place damaged it and is causing this constant power leakage???  Do I need a new battery?

One other thing weird thing: recently when I pulled the keys out of the ignition steering "Lock" position all the lights on the bike remained on.  Then I put them back in and out and they turned off.  Hopefully this was just a fluke.

Thank you

[ohgood]

Hi Guys,

My bike wouldn't start one morning due to a drained battery.  I think it was from a short circuit...I left the front turn signals disconnected - that would cause a short circuit RIGHT?  Now, whether I leave the battery connected OR disconnected to the bike overnight, the power drains (falls to ~12.50 volts) and the bike won't start in the morning (although it almost does).  So, I have to constantly hook it up to a tender and it keeps it charged at ~12.6 volts.  I have tested the carbs (they drain fuel) and the charging system (it causes the battery volts to jump to >14 volts).

MY QUESTION IS: do you think the short circuit that drained my battery in the first place damaged it and is causing this constant power leakage???  Do I need a new battery?

One other thing weird thing: recently when I pulled the keys out of the ignition steering "Lock" position all the lights on the bike remained on.  Then I put them back in and out and they turned off.  Hopefully this was just a fluke.

Thank you

the bike should start fine at 12v.

no, your battery likely isn't damaged.
yes, leaving your key in the 'park' selection will drain your battery. it's only supposed to light the tail light. if it lights all the lights, something is wired wrong. you can pull your key out in 'on' or 'park' on some bikes if the ignition switch is worn.

things to fix/check:
battery - does it drop to 5-9V when starting ? use a ammeter.
connections - clean and dry ? no green fuzzies growing on them ?
cables - UNDER THE INSULATION. it can corrode there and lead to problems like you're describing.
ground - see above
fuse - it can be partially blown and not show. replace it, and replace the spare that has been sitting next to it since the factory.

i started a thread about using a self-resetting relay and a compass to find shorts in motorcycle electrics a hundred years ago. i can't find it now, maybe your search foo is stronger than mine.

one more thing. you can install a relay that will kill the headlight (another of my threads) while starting. this gives the starter all the current it needs for cold weather starting. it will sound much better after doing this.

if there is blue spark, a good 13.5V battery, and good connections, check your valve clearances.

if it's very cold out, put a cover on the bike and an automotive shop light on the headers. you'll be surprised how much warmer your gs will be with only a shop light shining on the headers all night. 65F beats the heck out of 28F for starting

let us know what you find.

[AG5656]

Ah, turns out you were right about the cold weather!  I just have to keep trying to start the bike.  Took me about 10 tries this morning - temps are going down to 40F. 

Thanks for the other ideas as well!

[the mole]

Leaving your turn signals disconnected will not cause a short.
If the engine is cranking over OK, your battery is fine. If its not, could be flat battery, bad starter, bad relay, bad connections, corrosion etc.
If its cranking but not starting, the problem is not the battery, it could be a problem with plugs, leads, coils, igniter, carb, fuel, compression etc.
I'd check plugs, check choke is opening fully and do a compression test, then get back to us.

[JB848]

Leaving your turn signals disconnected will not cause a short.
Clarification disconnected not touching any ground or each other will not cause a short