Poll
Question:
Questions!
Option 1: Does a clicking sound mean the battery is dead?
votes: 6
Option 2: Does the dimming of the lights mean it's dead?
votes: 0
I just got back from a deployment last week. While gone, I had a buddy buy me a 2004 GS500F. Every time i'd wring the throttle the lights would dim! I took it for a ride this morning and it was fine. I went to start it 20 mins ago and it wanted to turn over but then i heard a clicking noise near the battery. Does that mean it's dead? Or is it another issue? I'm new to motorcycles. I just want more insight. Thank you!
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The clicking is probably the starter relay located under the plastics near the battery. With a dead/weak battery you often hear the starter relay, but there isn't enough juice to turn the starter motor. I'd suggest putting it on a charger overnight to fully charge the battery; if you still have issues, then the battery may very well need replacement.
BTW, car motorcycle batteries can lose their charge over time; so during extended storage it's best to put the battery on a maintainer or start the bike every few weeks and let it idle/warm up to keep the battery charged.
Agree with dead battery syndrome.
Clicking is the starter relay on a dead battery.
Relay closes.
Power goes to starter motor.
Starter motor drains battery.
Not enough power for starter relay to stay closed so it opens.
With starter relay open and not powering starter motor, relay can close again.
Starter motor drains power....
Process repeats very fast so you either hear a buzzing or just some clicks.
For peace of mind get a new non-wet battery.
Yep, typical dead battery.
Congratulations on the bike by the way, it's looking good.
Quote from: rob.just on October 29, 2013, 04:00:48 PM
I just got back from a deployment last week. While gone, I had a buddy buy me a 2004 GS500F. Every time i'd wring the throttle the lights would dim! I took it for a ride this morning and it was fine. I went to start it 20 mins ago and it wanted to turn over but then i heard a clicking noise near the battery. Does that mean it's dead? Or is it another issue? I'm new to motorcycles. I just want more insight. Thank you!
Checking in to say your signature is too large.
To stay on topic the clicking noise is most likely your starter solenoid. You probably don't have enough power to turn the starter motor. Get a new battery.
Dimming lights when starting is normal, as you're loading the battery.
FYI: 2006+ the headlight turns off when the starter is pressed. Being a 2004, it is normal for lights to dim when starting.
But you do need a new battery.
Yes, dead battery like everyone said. But I think there is more. You said the lights would dim when you "wring the throttle". There may be an issue with the charging system.
Charge the battery and do the charging system check in the FAQ. You'll need a meter. Any meter costing $15 or more should do the job and will more than pay for itself by helping you only replace bad parts, instead of just throwing new parts at the problem.