Starter relay goes musical

randy · Post by **randy** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 12:48 am

Hey,
My starter relay is making a loud buzzing sound and my bike won't start.

I'm new to motorbikes so I assumed that was the faulty part and replaced it.

As soon as I put the new one in the new starter relay is making the same sounds. doh!
This time I read the manual first and there is lots I should have checked before replacing that! Later today I'm going to buy some alligator clips and test probes to check the function of the 'starter stop relay', but I have some other questions..

The manual makes some very vague indications as to where the various switches that feed into the 'starter stop relay' are and what they look like but I cant find them.
Where is the
* clutch switch - the manual appear to indicate its on the handlebar assembly?

* Side stand switch - the manual appears to indicate that this is above the left hand side pillion foot peg?

* Starter switch - the manual put this in the same place as the side stand switch. Or was that under the middle of the fuel tank?

* Engine stop switch?

Maybe I'm missing something here? I'm interpreting the manual talking about switches meaning where mechanical motion, like pulling in the clutch lever, converting into an electrical signal.

Can anyone throw me a suggestion?

Post by **Kevtrx849** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 2:26 am

G'day Randy, the clutch switch is on the clutch perch. Note the wires going into it. Had some problems with this switch a while back. Had to start the bike by pulling the clutch in. I suspect the problem was at the engine end . It freed itself after about a month. Side stand switch can give grief as well. Disconnected mine years ago. It's a manual switch located at the top end of the sidestand. The sidestand depresses a plunger style switch when the stand is up. Because they are open to the elements they tend to fill up with crud and crap out. I reckon that is where you should start. If you disconnect it you'll have to remember to put the stand up before you ride off coz the bike won't let you know

Hopefully it's that simple for you.

youngy · Post by **youngy** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 7:27 pm

if it's in neutral neither the clutch switch nor the sidestand switch come into play.

slow codger · Post by **slow codger** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 10:45 pm

Stupid question time, has your battery got enough juice to turn the motor over? second can you turn the engine over by pushing in 5th gear just to make sure nothings seized?

Dave E

bobtrx · Post by **bobtrx** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 6:05 am

Battery

randy · Post by **randy** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 5:22 am

Hi guys,
No the engine is not turning over.

I put the battery on the charger for a couple of hours as it was going flat.

Then it kind of went buzz buzz buzz turn over buzz buzz buzz.

randy · Post by **randy** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 6:35 am

woo hoo!
I just jump started it from the car.

So just have to wait a few days until a bike shop is open then back on the bike.

Post by **Kevtrx849** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 2:36 am

bobtrx wrote:Battery

Hmmmm ,mine doesn't buzz .It clicks when the battery dies.

bobtrx · Post by **bobtrx** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 8:39 am

The only difference between a click and a buzz is speed

Wombat · Post by **Wombat** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 5:39 am

Kevtrx849 wrote:
bobtrx wrote:Battery
Hmmmm ,mine doesn't buzz .It clicks when the battery dies.

That's exactly what mine is doing now. Pissing down rain here in Sydney today, and I've had to bump start 3 out of the 4 times I've tried to start it

Bought a new battery (some Chinese brand) the other week, brought it home and put it on the charger for a few hours and then read the instructions, saying that I should leave it 24hrs before charging

Have had it on the bike and there sure is a lot of punch in it. How do these sealed type batteries vent? With the old ones they used to have a vent on the side. Only reason I ask is that after riding it for a little while I noticed there was a tiny bit of electrolyte leaking out of the top of the filler cap section. I was thinking of covering the fill hole plugs/strip with gaffa or duct tape to protect the battery and the bike. I'm just not sure if the fill plug strip is part of the venting system, if they have one at all?

I know it won't start in the morning, but I'll change the battery over then......give me a good excuse for being late to work

Bob

What brand of battery does everyone else use? Does anyone use an Odyssey battery? And if so, what model no. ?