Bike won't start or click

[Kdub]

My 08 K9 haso recently been driving me nuts. It has developed this problem where when I go to start it, it does nothing. The headlights will flash, but the starter doesn't click or crank. After turning on and off a few times and trying it, it does eventually start, but I don't trust it anymore. It has 12.8 volts and there is power to the starter wire. Is the starter going bad, or is there something else I should look at. Thanks.

 

[HMAN]

Have ya checked ur key switch? If turning the key back n forth makes it eventually start, I would think the switch suspect?

 

[Matheny 514]

My 08 K9 haso recently been driving me nuts. It has developed this problem where when I go to start it, it does nothing. The headlights will flash, but the starter doesn't click or crank. After turning on and off a few times and trying it, it does eventually start, but I don't trust it anymore. It has 12.8 volts and there is power to the starter wire. Is the starter going bad, or is there something else I should look at. Thanks.

Do you mean that when you turn the key to the ON position, the lights come on and then nothing happens when you go to start it? Or do you mean nothing happens until you toggle the key ON and OFF then the lights come on and the bike starts?

I worked on a fellow member's 06 K9 a few weeks ago, his complaint was when he turned the key ON the lights would come on but nothing happened when he hit the start button. I traced it back to the connector inside the right side hand control which had disconnected.

When you turn your key to the ON position and then press the RUN button, does the EHC have a light come on?

It is also a possiblility for your key switch to be the culprit as HMAN has said.

 

[Kdub]

Yeah power is on with key turned on. Power to hand buttons. The ehc has a green light on and maybe a yellow light with ano there light glowing faint red. When it finally does start the faint light turns a solid red. Haven't pulled it apart and watched exactly what ehc lights are doing what through out the process.

 

[BWG56]

Sounds like a battery, how old is it? Just because it has the 12.8 that doesn't mean it has the amperage

 

[cdogg556]

http://www.deadonecustoms.com I believe it's time to call the "DOC" brother!

 

[liferider]

I would try a new battery. These motors do not play. They demand high amperage

 

[cdogg556]

You know how many things I changed and checked and just kept hoping it was not the EHC, the keyswitch, start button, multiple batteries, battery cables, solenoid, I even bypassed my EHC and was starting it with the slam button, long story short is it's been over a year now since the installation of my ESC from Doc and I have never had an issue since! I mean not one problem with my electrical system at all! And for any of you that can remember, my bike was on "The Stand" more that not, also never have used a battery tender at all and the bike has sat for over a month one time and fired right up, I know you ain't doing that with the original EHC! So all I am saying is do yourself a favor and don't waste time and money screwing around with all the B.S., just bite the bullet and order a ESC and you will have a bike you can trust again, it is a great feeling knowing it's gonna fire up "every" time, best investment ever!

 

[BWG56]

You know how many things I changed and checked and just kept hoping it was not the EHC, the keyswitch, start button, multiple batteries, battery cables, solenoid, I even bypassed my EHC and was starting it with the slam button, long story short is it's been over a year now since the installation of my ESC from Doc and I have never had an issue since! I mean not one problem with my electrical system at all! And for any of you that can remember, my bike was on "The Stand" more that not, also never have used a battery tender at all and the bike has sat for over a month one time and fired right up, I know you ain't doing that with the original EHC! So all I am saying is do yourself a favor and don't waste time and money screwing around with all the B.S., just bite the bullet and order a ESC and you will have a bike you can trust again, it is a great feeling knowing it's gonna fire up "every" time, best investment ever!

I don't remember that at all, whatcha mean

 

[cdogg556]

I don't remember that at all, whatcha mean

 

[Kdub]

Yeah I've been fearing the ehc for awhile now. It's always just so random. I really hate the unreliability. I've had some of the dreaded starter slam for awhile so I guess that is what has lead me to think it's a starter issue.

 

[Matheny 514]

Sounds like a battery, how old is it? Just because it has the 12.8 that doesn't mean it has the amperage

I would try a new battery. These motors do not play. They demand high amperage

It certainly is a possibility to be the EHC, but what type and how old is the battery you are using? The EHC can display various forms of malfunction simply from the battery. I'd say to check the battery voltage while being loaded (voltage while starting the bike) and amperage. As Ker and Jonathan said, these bikes demand amperage and a good strong battery. Not just the standing voltage of 12.8

 

[Brew]

One bad cell in your battery will take you down!

 

[Kdub]

The weird thing is that it doesn't click though. Normally when I have a bad battery it clicks and the lights flash. This just does nothing. The battery is a big crank with 310cca. This is its second year I think. What would be a good replacement. These things go through batteries more than gas! It is sitting at 12.5 which I know is no good, but yesterday it was in the low 13'speed. Guess maybe the battery is shit.

 

[TapioK]

So the engine doesn't turn over even if you manually push the plunger?
My solenoid just died, voltage on the green wire. That doesn't help if the solenoid coil is broken like mine seems to be. Made a quick fix, hope it works about a week before I come back to US.

Tapio

 

[BWG56]

The weird thing is that it doesn't click though. Normally when I have a bad battery it clicks and the lights flash. This just does nothing. The battery is a big crank with 310cca. This is its second year I think. What would be a good replacement. These things go through batteries more than gas! It is sitting at 12.5 which I know is no good, but yesterday it was in the low 13'speed. Guess maybe the battery is shit.

Easy way to check if its the battery is to hook up a jump start and see if it cranks, if ya don't have a load tester/meter

 

[chubs]

My solenoid did about same thing. Inside the solenoid, the green wire connects to bare wires. one of those wires was broken and MrWright informed me to solder it back together. FIXED IT !!

 

[Kdub]

Guess it is my battery. Got it fully charged and it started up 3 times in a row. With the ignition on and not running the battery drops pretty fast below 12.8. Must not be holding a charge anymore. What batteries do yall recommend? I would rather buy quality than scrimp by.

 

[BWG56]

Guess it is my battery. Got it fully charged and it started up 3 times in a row. With the ignition on and not running the battery drops pretty fast below 12.8. Must not be holding a charge anymore. What batteries do yall recommend? I would rather buy quality than scrimp by.

At least 310CCA, lots of threads on this and opinions, just do a search and enjoy the reading

 

[HMAN]

Guess it is my battery. Got it fully charged and it started up 3 times in a row. With the ignition on and not running the battery drops pretty fast below 12.8. Must not be holding a charge anymore. What batteries do yall recommend? I would rather buy quality than scrimp by.

Opinions here vary. I put in a Braille 2015 and its never failed to start....jmo. But I do have the WP and no tender.