Battery/ Charging issue + made worse by me

[jonathan180iq]

Originally Posted by n9643750

Well, the battery seems to be good. The auto parts store reports that it reads 115 cold cranking amps. I am confused about what else could be the issue.

After you said you found the fuse, and even had a spare, did that temporarily solve the problem? If it worked for a second and then you had a dead situation again, then you have a short somewhere you need to track down. If it didn't change anything, then I would agree that you have a contact problem on the starter switch. Even more rare is a contact issue between the key in the ignition.

Do this:
Take a non-running car and hook up the battery to your bike. If you can turn it over with the NON_RUNNING car battery, then the issue is your battery, regardless of what the battery test told you.

If you still get a non-cranking/running scenario, then the issue is either in the fuse, the switch, or the wiring harness (the latter of those being the rarest.)

[n9643750]

Hi Jonathon, thanks for your time. After I replaced the fuse the bike came back to life. I put the battery on the trickle charger last night and it started the bike no problem this morning. I'm going to take it on a ride this afternoon and see if it gets recharged.

[jonathan180iq]

Did you take it immediately off the charger and then start the bike?

If so, it's still possible that it's taking the charge but it's not keeping it.
Make sure you take it on a longer ride (30+ minutes) and don't turn it off unless you absolutely have to. After you get back home. Shut it down completely and then see if it will restart. If it does, then that's a good thing. Go inside, make yourself some dinner, and then come out and try to start it again. If it doesn't fire right up, then replace the battery.

[Water Warrior 2]

Originally Posted by jonathan180iq

Did you take it immediately off the charger and then start the bike?

If so, it's still possible that it's taking the charge but it's not keeping it.
Make sure you take it on a longer ride (30+ minutes) and don't turn it off unless you absolutely have to. After you get back home. Shut it down completely and then see if it will restart. If it does, then that's a good thing. Go inside, make yourself some dinner, and then come out and try to start it again. If it doesn't fire right up, then replace the battery.

Sounds like a good plan to me. Also remember a new battery must first be fully charged before putting it into service. If not it will have a short service life.
A trickle charger of 2 amps over night will do the deed. I have also had good results with a Battery Tender over a looong night(12 to 14 hours).

[JohnC]

A simple, crude test of the charging system is to watch the headlight as you rev the engine just off idle. If it gets brighter your charging system is probably OK.

[jonathan180iq]

Originally Posted by JohnC

A simple, crude test of the charging system is to watch the headlight as you rev the engine just off idle. If it gets brighter your charging system is probably OK.

+1

[Meme]

Plato1, do you have a part # for that battery? I'm not finding it on their site, and my battery is slowly giving up.

Originally Posted by plato1

Hi,
I have an 07' also and had the same issue awhile back. I had intermittent starting problems, went through a couple of batteries (by the way, Cycle gear has our battery which they sell as their brand and they offer a lifetime warranty--it's about $20 more than the regular one but well worth it--I even asked them if I blew the battery up and brought them pieces would they replace it and they said yes--they also told me they have stores across the nation and put you in the computer so you can get a new one anywhere while you may be traveling).....anyone here's what turned out to be the problem.....

The problem for me was in the start button---open it up and this is a little spring and contact which completes the connection when pushed. Clean the contacts off real good.....They also sell some contact spray--I don't remember the name as my friend has some and sprayed it on the contact---This solved the problem--which was at least a year ago--and I had had no issues since.....Check this out before buying expensive parts.....I hope this helps....

[jonathan180iq]

Hey meme,

[Water Warrior 2]

No part number needed. Just go to Wally World and buy one. They will have a battery application booklet or chart. Charge the battery fully before putting it in service.

[JohnC]

The original battery is FTX7L-BS