Bike won't start just clicking under seat

sounds like battery... didn't have enough "oomph" to crank the starter motor over I guess... I got the same thing when I tried to use a smaller lithium battery (5Ah) to crank the Scrambler

Have got it on charge while I'm at work so will try it later. Would have thought the battery would last over a week between runs as used it last Friday :ambivalence:

Andy.Wood said:

Well decided to go to work on the bike this morning, wheeled it out of the garage and tried to start....the clock went through it's usual set up and then wouldn't start but could hear a clicking from under the seat.
Tried a couple of times and same response, tried putting in and out of gear but still no joy....ended up having to get changed and come to work in the car. Any ideas??? is it a call to get it picked up?? :angry7:

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Sounds similar to a problem I had when I first collected my bike. I'm not saying it is the same issue, but it might be worthwhile checking?

Link to my original thread.
Brand New Bike - Battery / Running / Starting Issues

Thanks for that will look to see if there is anything obvious later.

My battery would hold enough charge to start the bike after a 7 day lay up but not after 10 days. They changed it under warranty.

That clicking sound.. reminds me of how every time I go to my vintage bike it may or may not start.. Ugh. But yes sounds like battery issue.

stavely said:

My battery would hold enough charge to start the bike after a 7 day lay up but not after 10 days. They changed it under warranty.

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Really. I've been gone for a month back in February and came back, bike started right up. Was pleasantly surprised. Did not put it on a tender or disconnect the battery as I was in a rush and forgotten before I left.

Well battery is fully charged (display shows 12.6V) and still not starting. Sounds as if a relay under the seat is repeatedly tripping, the headlight flickers and the dash flashes on and off.
Think it will have to be picked up and taken to DMC Stoke, hopefully tomorrow.

Check the battery connections, the battery ground connection to the bike, the connections at the starter solenoid (that's the thing that clicks) and the connection at he starter motor. A poor or loose connection at any of these points will give you the symptoms you describe.

Hope so Derek, DMC are due to pick it up later while I'm at work. Just hope it's nothing major as it's done less than 2500 miles and the suspension and seat were just beginning to break in !!!!

Been diagnosed as a dodgy battery which is not covered under warranty :frown-new:

In the warranty manual, batteries are covered up to 12 months/unlimited miles.

That would be right mine was 12 months old in March!!!!!!

Oh well new battery fitted and looks to have sorted it out

oh... that stinks. But glad it's all sorted now!

Had the same issue with my Multi this year. Check the amperage. Mine was drawing 50 amps when it should have been drawing 15 or so. That might be the issue, which would require a new starter. Luckily that is under warranty. By the way, first time it was also presumed to be the battery, which was changed out. I had to come back as the issue didn't go away. DO NOT TAKE their word that it's a battery, check the amps yourself--it should be under 15-20, so if you see it spike to 45 or so, you know you just diagnosed the problem.

Mine did the same after 6 months. I have been not on here for a long time with health and life changes but left the bikes alone and couldn't be arsed to drag the bike to dealer Its 2 years old in March and just bought tonight a new battery so should get by weekend and I am itching to ride again.
I have been told that they rush filling and charging batterys at NEW REG time and that's why they get so many failures in March and September bikes it seems
Going for a JMT german battery this time though

Glad you're back, Albie.

Sarah

I always use a battery maintainer/charger so it stays in tip top condition and is always ready to go. I plug it in after using the bike and leave it switched on 24/7, I've had 7 bikes in the last 11 years some new and some second hand and at times I might not have ridden for up to a month but I have never had a flat battery or replaced one.
Highly recommended.

BR1 said:

I always use a battery maintainer/charger so it stays in tip top condition and is always ready to go. I plug it in after using the bike and leave it switched on 24/7, I've had 7 bikes in the last 11 years some new and some second hand and at times I might not have ridden for up to a month but I have never had a flat battery or replaced one.
Highly recommended.

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How long do you keep your bikes though? If you only have the one bike, that's approx every 18 months. I expect most batteries to last far longer than that unless they are seriously neglected.
I have a 1200 Multistrada, registered May 2010, which is still on the original battery and is coming up for 7 years old. I have a battery tender/maintainer whatever you want to call it but rotate it between my 4 bikes, so each of them only gets a few days a month. On average batteries last me 5 or 6 years.

Derek said:

How long do you keep your bikes though? If you only have the one bike, that's approx every 18 months. I expect most batteries to last far longer than that unless they are seriously neglected.
I have a 1200 Multistrada, registered May 2010, which is still on the original battery and is coming up for 7 years old. I have a battery tender/maintainer whatever you want to call it but rotate it between my 4 bikes, so each of them only gets a few days a month. On average batteries last me 5 or 6 years.

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Without going into too many details, this is my line of work. You are managing your bikes well with your routine but it's not uncommon for even new batteries to fail before their time if neglected by either lack of use, maintenance or short stop start use over a period of time. Not all batteries are the same. There can be nothing worse than getting kitted up to go out for a blast and the bike won't start.