 Click. WTF? Help!
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,836 Likes: 5
Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,836 Likes: 5 |
J-Lo is in intensive care. Completely unresponsive. Can’t find the problem. It’s the first time she’s ever let me down. I’m lost without her. Nothing I’ve done seems to help. I feel sooooo lonely – sooooo helpless.
The symptoms –
Switch on ignition (key), push the starter button. The faintest click sounds. The battery is fully charged. The click is NOT like the sound you get when the battery is dead/low. It’s just one faint click like a contact is being met.
The ‘click’ does not occur when the kill switch is in the off position. The click does not occur when in gear (i.e., I believe I’ve ruled out the safety switch as it functions as expected).
The initial diagnoses–
I’ve checked the battery terminals – Tight and un-corroded.
I’ve checked the fuses – Un-blown
I’ve checked the connection at the starter - Tight and un-corroded.
I’ve checked the battery – Full charge
I’ve checked other electrical components – Fully functional
I’ve checked the wiring connections under the seat – All free of corrosion
(STRANGE RESULT) Wiggling one of those connectors causes complete loss of power to everything.
I’ve located what appears to be the starter solenoid, located under the right side cover – Terminals tight and un-corroded
Events lead to the event –
Over a week of intermittent rain riding without any problems
Washed a couple weeks of dirt of on Saturday. Did nothing different than normal as far as water spray or amount of water used.
Started bike after washing – started and ran fine
Rode bike down the street and back to get all the hidden water out of the hidden spots
Put bike in garage
Sunday morning I wheel it out of the garage and applied a good waxing.
Didn’t try to start it for several hours afterward – That’s when the click occurred.
Follow-Up questions for further diagnosis –
What else can/should I check
What could be the source of the problem
Is it safe to jump that solenoid?
WUTDOIDO?!?!?!?
2004 Triumph Speedmaster (J Lo) 2006 Yamaha Stratoliner (Adele)
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Re: Click. WTF? Help!
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
(STRANGE RESULT) Wiggling one of those connectors causes complete loss of power to everything.
That's the first place to look for a broken, corroded or damaged connection.
Sounds like the headlight cut out relay is engaging and the solenoid isn't so I would also suspect a dead solenoid. You could jump the solenoid to prove/disprove this but it's really more likely you've already found the culprit under the seat.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: Click. WTF? Help!
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616 |
Quote:
Quote:
(STRANGE RESULT) Wiggling one of those connectors causes complete loss of power to everything.
That's the first place to look for a broken, corroded or damaged connection.
Sounds like the headlight cut out relay is engaging and the solenoid isn't so I would also suspect a dead solenoid. You could jump the solenoid to prove/disprove this but it's really more likely you've already found the culprit under the seat.
+1 on this...even in electrical connection that are not exposed to the elements a loose connection is where gunk will build up and cause poor contact.
what happens if you hold pressure on that loose connection? Does the "click" get louder?
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
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Re: Click. WTF? Help!
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,606 Likes: 2
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,606 Likes: 2 |
yes you can jump the solenoid (I actually installed a jump switch in GA07 to get me back to my dealer in NH) JUST BE SURE YOU ARE IN NETURAL!!!!
sounds alot like my issue...turned out to be a bad solenoid
That faint clicking you are hearing is likely to be the cut out relay (shuts off the headlamp when you push the starter button)
THE VOICE OF REASON
per: Stewart
AF&AM/Shriner/Scoutmaster
130/45 TBS 2shim SS Uni 18/42
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Re: Click. WTF? Help!
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,836 Likes: 5
Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,836 Likes: 5 |
Well, I've cleaned and re-cleaned all the terminals, checked and re-checked the fuses and connections, I've jumped across the solinoid terminals(She starts right up with the jumper). I don't have turn signals, horn, brake lights and it still won't turn over. I HAVE the little 'parking' light in the head light bucket - Even in the 'ON' ignition switch position as well as tail light. I'm at a loss and continue to wiggle wires... I can't seem to duplicate the initial problem with one of the connections. I'm wondering if the ignition switch might also be a contributor...
2004 Triumph Speedmaster (J Lo) 2006 Yamaha Stratoliner (Adele)
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Re: Click. WTF? Help! - THE LEARNINGS
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,836 Likes: 5
Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,836 Likes: 5 |
1. You can't check fuses visually -
Get a fuse tester. It can save you days of agony.
2. Your Triumph doesn't work without a functional headlight - or- at least a functional headlight circuit. (I haven't tryed a completely burned out bulb.
3. If you know a great 'wrench', appriciate him/her, and heed their advice -
A two minute question directed to the GREAT Don B. @ Collins Cycle solved what my 4 days of 'hunt and try' investigation could not. ( I had that little baby running 5 minutes after the two minute question/answer session.
2004 Triumph Speedmaster (J Lo) 2006 Yamaha Stratoliner (Adele)
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Re: Click. WTF? Help! - THE LEARNINGS
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,525
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,525 |
Quote:
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A two minute question directed to the GREAT Don B. @ Collins Cycle solved what my 4 days of 'hunt and try' investigation could not.
and what was that? please share.......... 
Erwin
05 America
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Re: Click. WTF? Help! - THE LEARNINGS
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,836 Likes: 5
Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,836 Likes: 5 |
Quote:
and what was that? please share..........
I told him what my problem was and asked for his advice.
He rocommended I check my fuses. I told him I had 3 times. He asked if I'd used a tester or just looked at them. I said "looked" he said that ain't da way.
He then said I'd bet it is the headlight. I initially doubted and asked what else it could be. He said "There's a remote posibility it could be the ignition switch or a broken wire, BUT,Check your fuses and be sure to check the headlight fuse". It was as he said - the headlight fuse.
2004 Triumph Speedmaster (J Lo) 2006 Yamaha Stratoliner (Adele)
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Re: Click. WTF? Help! - THE LEARNINGS
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7
Complete Newb
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Complete Newb
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7 |
I had this EXACT same problem at Thunder in the Valley in Johnstown, PA this past weekend. It was also the headlight fuse! Too bad I hadn't read this thread beforehand, but at least Bernie and Tim from Triumph of Windber were around to haul it back to their shop. One fuse replacement and I'm up and running today.
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