[matt38]

Please help. I have an 02' 620. I went to start it this weekend after it was sitting for a little over a week, all I heard was click, click, click, click. I thought probably a low battery. I hooked up the charger and let it charge. After this, same damn thing. I called the local shop, they thought the battery wasn't taking a charge but assumed that it was the culprit. I went out to Wal-Mart and got a $20 motorcycle battery because I was not convinced of this theory. Same thing, click, click, click. I got a volt meter and tested the battery, the connections to the solenoid, and the connection between the starter and the solenoid. Plenty of volts. I really don't want to get a new starter or get it rebuilt. Any suggestions or anything I missed. Thanks

 

[Capt. Steubing]

Never really had this problem with MC, but look at the starter relay that is under the tank, I think you can switch the relay with the relay right next to it and see if that is the culprit, and the only other suggestion would be to check the cables at the starter and make sure they are tight, sorry if thats no help, good luck!
OH, How do the lights look when you turn the key on? if they are dim, then it probably is a battery or connection problem, I've seen lots of cheap batteries that either needed to be charged, or are bad.

 

[Guest]

If you need a starter, I think we have a good used one here.

 

[test-reg]

before anything else, check the connection at the starter.

 

[matt38]

Thanks

Thanks for the replies. Here' the situation as it is now. Starter turns over when hooked directly up to a battery, so it's not the starter. Maybe solenoid is bad. Still can't get it to start though. Getting closer....Hopefully

 

[test-reg]

there should be a two wire connector at the soleniod. make sure it is tight. one wire is +, the other is ground. if there is no power at the + wire when the starter is depressed, the problem lies somewhere else, like maybe the sidestand switch. can't be of more help there, as i am not familiar with the starter controll circuit on your bike. you could also check for coil continuity, no spec available, but infinity is a definate problem. if the solenoid is getting energized and voltage is not getting to the starter, the solenoid is the problem.

 

[matt38]

Thanks

OK, I have done more testing. As far as the solenoid, I tested the wires coming from the battery to the solenoid (10-11 volts), I then tested from the solenoid to the starter (again around 10 volts). I tested the other two wires into the solenoid (from the dash) it gave me a low voltage reading of around (4-5 volts). Again, I hooked the battery directly to the starter and it cranks fine. How in the world if I have power going into the solenoid then into the starter, why would the solenoid click raipidly yet the starter does not make one bit of noise when I attempt to start the bike. Does this mean the solenoid is fine and something else is not working. I attempted to test the sidestand switch by I do not know how. If I disconnect the sidestand switch and attempt to start, nothing at all as expected. When I hook it back together, the clicking begins during attempted starts. I am frustrated. I frankly do not understand how the electronics work. I really do not want to have to take it to the dealer, but I'm starting to lose hope. Regarding a question you had, the bike has no warranty because I bought it used. Thanks in advance for any advice you might have.
Matt

 

[test-reg]

what is the open cell voltage on your battery? it should be 12.6 volts. also check voltage drop at the cables and soleniod. ducati has no specs for this. general car specs would be max. .5 volts from battery to starter. .2 volts at each connection. i don't understand 4 to 5 volts at the solenoid. much to low. how did you take the reading?
which battery is in the bike (origional or $20 wallmart)? are you using the same battery to crank the starter independantly?
since the solenoid is clicking, sidestand swith is not an issue.
can you take the battery to an MC shop and get it load tested? this way you at least know the battery is good.

 

[Guest]

ya howie, a clicking solinoid is a good indication of a low voltage problem

 

[flynfink]

ya howie, a clicking solinoid is a good indication of a low voltage problem

Should also mean that sidestand interlock is not the problem.

 

[AlexB]

ya howie, a clicking solinoid is a good indication of a low voltage problem

I'll second that...

I used to have an old car (a '67 firebird) it would occasionally do this.. one of two reasons..

1) I was using a crappy battery and my charging system was bad.

2) the solenoid would actually get jammed... I'd crawl under the front, and bang on the starter with a big hammer..

oh... to be a high school student again.. crawling under hot-rods..

 

[matt38]

Hey you guys are good. I got the solenoid tested today at the shop. It works. Lookin more like the battery is the culprit. Thanks for all the input. I'll let you know.

 

[matt38]

Thanks all. I got the battery load tested. That was problem all along. I got a new battery, hooked it up, and it started right up. Even though it was 35 degrees out, I did the only thing I could do. I took it for a ride. Cold as heck but a huge smile on my face. Thanks

 

[RTHRBRIDEN]

Hey all, first message here... Well I have had my Duk for a year and have heard horror stories of bad batteries and regulators as well. I wanted to go for a ride on this beautiful day and yep, click, click , click. After reading the posts I am hoping its a battery thing as well. I bought my bike new after a battery had leaked a little bit on the bike but no damage. So new battery. Do you think it is wise to move the regulator as well???
thanks