New battery... bike won't start after riding for awhile...

[TexasHavoc]

I don't know if I'm posting this in the right section but I'm having an issue with my Pitbull. I bought the bike and rode it a few times and while we were out... bike failed to start. Lights would all come on... bike would turn over for like 1 crank and then nothing. It would do it over and over. Managed to get the bike jump started that night and I got it home.

I pulled the battery and had it tested and they told me it was good. Charged it and put it back in the bike.... same issue. I went ahead and replaced the battery thinking maybe it was a false positive.

Well... new battery in the bike and it was great for about 3 weeks. I keep it on a battery tender plus. Went riding around with some buddies today and we stopped at 5 or 6 different spots. At the last spot... bike went back to doing the same lights on... 1 turn....no start business with the new battery now.

I'm not sure what the issue is. Leaning toward the charging system on the bike not charging the battery while riding but i would have expected it to die long before it did if that were the case.

Any ideas fellas? I'm at a loss and I've put maybe 150 miles on this thing. Aside from this issue... its been great. It's just this no start issue after stopping and starting several times that has me irritated with it.

I appreciate the help in advance btw!

 

[BigDogRick]

I had my stator go bad one coil fin at a time. It did not completely puke until more than half of them were burned up. In the meantime, the stator would try to charge but i consumed faster than the recharge. It took about 120 miles to drain to a no-start condition.

 

[Hirter6Pack]

If it does it again try pushing in on the compression release.

 

[TexasHavoc]

Man that sounds like my issue. I put roughly 80-90 miles on the bike today with about 6 or 7 starts and stops. It was fine until the last one. Willing to bet I have that same issue.

 

[TexasHavoc]

If it does it again try pushing in on the compression release.

This may be a stupid question but where is the compression release? I didn't even know it had one.

I did notice the last couple times before it completely died... on the first press of the start button when I'd be starting it... it would act like it was weak and click once but then would turn over and start on the second press of the button. Not sure if that's related or not but it might be.

 

[Hirter6Pack]

This may be a stupid question but where is the compression release? I didn't even know it had one.

I did notice the last couple times before it completely died... on the first press of the start button when I'd be starting it... it would act like it was weak and click once but then would turn over and start on the second press of the button. Not sure if that's related or not but it might be.

On the top of the heads in the center of each is a soft button. If you are having stator problems it might get you by one more start.

 

[405bigdog]

Compression release is in the center of the rocker box.

 

[TexasHavoc]

Ok. I've seen that little button but didn't know what it was. Lol

 

[BadDawg Bill]

When you do get a good charged battery check the draw when starting. You might have a bad starter...

 

[cdogg556]

Sounds like the beginning of the dreaded electrical gremlins, I had Similar issues where it would be fine all day and outta nowhere it was dead, first get a muti meter and check to see where your voltage is while running, shouldn't be much over 14 volts, if it's more than your VR is bad, less could mean the stator, or I had my 40 amp in line breaker pop on me also, if that all checks out and all your connection's are "clean and tight" then you may possibly have the beginning of issues with the EHC, if you start having headlights going out, speedo, intermittent starting, etc..... I had them start like yours and progressively get worse, I installed Doc''s ESC and over 6,000 miles later not one electrical issue since! Hope that helps and good luck!

 

[BWG56]

With Cdoggy, when you have the bike running, check to make sure its charging, should be 13.5 - 14.5 volts and then go from there

 

[TexasHavoc]

Sorry for the delayed response guy. I've had a busy last couple of days. I haven't had a chance to mess with the bike again yet. I put it on the tender and I plan to get a multi meter so I can check voltages. I hope it's not the EHC!!

 

[bigkelk9]

Sorry for the delayed response guy. I've had a busy last couple of days. I haven't had a chance to mess with the bike again yet. I put it on the tender and I plan to get a multi meter so I can check voltages. I hope it's not the EHC!!

If u need a hand and think u can make it to my area, lemme know, I'm about 30 minutes from u

 

[PROFLYER]

Grab one of those jump starter things at Costco. They were on sale for $40 and they'll fit in a tool bag. Might be some peace of mind till you get this sorted.

And take BigKel up on his offer if you're close. He's wrenched on these for a long time.

My guess is the voltage regulator. Wildsteedworx.com has them pretty cheap or you can even get a Harley one (find a part number on here somewhere). They're cheap like $70 or so and do have a tendency to take a shit on you especially if you've ridden mostly in hot weather.

The stator rarely if ever goes out. It's basic just magnets and copper. You can test both with a multi meter. Get a good one, you'll need it later. How to on here for testing both.

Report back!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[wrench]

9 out of 10 times if you have a starting problem it is low voltage and not a starter problem. check it with a volt meter to see if its pushing 14 volts when you rev it up. if its not then change the voltage regulator first and check it with a meter again. if it still aint charging 14 volts, change the stator. if the stator is bad you need the new voltage regulator anyway. never put in a new stator with your old voltage regulator. the voltage regulator is probly what took the stator out to start with.. stators will fail if it rode enough with a bad voltage regulator same as if it is unplugged from the voltage regulator long enough.. if it starts fine with a fresh charge then fails after you ride for a while, my money is on it aint charging. volt regulator or stator. you can run a new voltage regulator with the old stator, but never run a new stator with the old voltage regulator.

 

[spadesluck]

All great advice, to keep it simple think about this, Fuel, Air, and Spark are all you need to make an engine work. Most cases its always the spark that is lacking. Just like others have said check your charging system as it may be to weak to keep up with the demands of your bike. To add that you made several stops over the coarse of the day will just make this little problem even bigger. The stock charging systems will take some time to recharge the battery after the initial start so if you are making short trips the battery is not getting to its full charge anyways and to complicate it your charging system may be weak. I put a big charging system on my bike from Wild Steed Works, have not had any charging issues with it at all.

 

[BWG56]

Here's the EHC light identification

 

[TexasHavoc]

I appreciate all of the help fellas!! Great info and great advice on where to start! I really appreciate the detailed info guys! I just got back a couple hours ago from fire school in college station for work. We were out there for a couple of days. Now that im back, I'm planning to finally spend some time taking a look at it and working on it tomorrow.

I'll have to take a look at what lights are lit on the EHC. I don't think the starter is my issue because when it fails to start... it'll still click and still turn a little but just won't have enough to start the bike. All lights come on as usual and it just acts like it has a weak battery. Given a jump... it'll fire up. I'm leaning toward a voltage regulator issue from what you guys described knowing the battery brand new and the fact that the starter doesnt seem to be the issue. I don't have any issues with the lights or the gauges... at least I haven't had any yet. I do need to run by Costco to grab a mini jumper. Luckily the last time this whole random no start thing happened, it did it while I was in my driveway so I wasn't left stranded somewhere trying to get it home. Def don't wanna be caught in that situation out and away from the house.

BigKelK9... I'll gladly take you up on that offer if you're still interested in looking at it. I don't have too much experience with electronics so while I can prob figure it out with a little googling... if you already know how to check it and what to look for... that sure would make things easier. I'll gladly bring a case of beer or buy you dinner or something for helping me out!

 

[heybaylor]

as stated above , multimeter , check your VR/Stator output first ,
BigKelK9 = excellent

 

[Jersey Big Mike]

Since this happened after a new battery was installed have you done the easiest thing and verified all the wires are connected and to the correct spots.

Once on my first bike I accidentally connected the output of the VR to the negative side (It was a BLACK wire not red or even red striped like I would have expected.) and then the system couldn't charge the bike.

Ever since when I take a battery out I tie all the wires together for each terminal with a twisty tie or something so I don't go by color alone.