I think I screwed up, any advise would be appreciated.

[HotRod]

 Well I detailed my bike yesterday front to back top to bottom. I shot just a tiny bit of wd40 in left and right switch housings and I think something may of happened. It started just fine yesterday and today until we were almost home and we stopped for a smoothie where are daughter works and when we came uot turned the key, nothing! The clock and light blink when I push the start botton but no start. I had to push start her, all lights are bright so I dont think its a charging problem. Tonight I tried her again and the lights were blinking repeatedly after hitting the bottom a few time it seemed like the relay was stuck or something, any ideas ?

[John Schmidt]

WD-40 is basically fish oil, not a good thing to clean contacts. I'd try a couple different things....first, try shorting across the relay to see if it engages the starter. If it starts, then it's most likely in the switch itself. Then get some spray contact cleaner at Radio Shack or similar place and spray in the switches to clean off the oil. Move the switches a few times and then try starting. If it works now, that was most likely your problem. I would however, take a look at the link below and install a relay in the headlight bucket. It will take a large amperage load off the start button and reduce it to well under one amp. Scroll down to the part about Start Start Switch Safeguard and follow the directions. It will do away with start switch failure in the future.


http://www.rattlebars.com/mtz/starter.html

[HotRod]

WD-40 is basically fish oil, not a good thing to clean contacts. I'd try a couple different things....first, try shorting across the relay to see if it engages the starter. If it starts, then it's most likely in the switch itself. Then get some spray contact cleaner at Radio Shack or similar place and spray in the switches to clean off the oil. Move the switches a few times and then try starting. If it works now, that was most likely your problem. I would however, take a look at the link below and install a relay in the headlight bucket. It will take a large amperage load off the start button and reduce it to well under one amp. Scroll down to the part about Start Start Switch Safeguard and follow the directions. It will do away with start switch failure in the future.


http://www.rattlebars.com/mtz/starter.html

I will give that a try,thanks.

[HotRod]

 Well now i go out to the garage and try to start her and all I get is the relay chattering. Battery reads 12.5 volts, could the battery still have a bad cell and read 12.5 volts ?

[R J]

I'll put my $$$ on the bob tailed nag.

Get a set of jumper cables & see if it will start.   DO NOT HAVE THE NEW BATTERY SOURCE RUNNING.

If it still clicks rebuild the starter button, see Shop Talk.

If it starts, go get a new battery.

[Robert]

Just like a guy to come around only when he wants something nice to hear from you Hot Rod someones looking for you on the general board. To answer the question yes if the battery is not under load meaning there's nothing on. Thats why you have to check battery's with some kind of load on them because they will start to drop the voltage under load if they are no good.  I don't think that the lights would qualify for enough of a load to tell with a volt meter unless the battery is really dead. Hit the starter switch with a volt meter connected and see whats the voltage if its still around 10 to 12 then more than likely its ok. Thats why on a car battery when its dead you can hear the starter just go click click click. Or rapidly click as you described. The easiest thing to do is get jumper cables and just jump it and see if it starts. If not check the cut off switch and you can jump the starter relay under the side cover and see if the battery and the starter are any good,easy to do. If this checks ok then go back to the switches and last the tilt switch located next to the battery the one that cuts out if the bike falls over.

[greggh]

Mine had same problem.
Put in a new starter relay and fired right up.
No problems since.

[HotRod]

Just like a guy to come around only when he wants something nice to hear from you Hot Rod someones looking for you on the general board. To answer the question yes if the battery is not under load meaning there's nothing on. Thats why you have to check battery's with some kind of load on them because they will start to drop the voltage under load if they are no good.  I don't think that the lights would qualify for enough of a load to tell with a volt meter unless the battery is really dead. Hit the starter switch with a volt meter connected and see whats the voltage if its still around 10 to 12 then more than likely its ok. Thats why on a car battery when its dead you can hear the starter just go click click click. Or rapidly click as you described. The easiest thing to do is get jumper cables and just jump it and see if it starts. If not check the cut off switch and you can jump the starter relay under the side cover and see if the battery and the starter are any good,easy to do. If this checks ok then go back to the switches and last the tilt switch located next to the battery the one that cuts out if the bike falls over.

I know, I been so busy hav'nt even been riding latley but I know where to go when I need help, thanks man.

[HotRod]

I'll put my $$$ on the bob tailed nag.

Get a set of jumper cables & see if it will start.   DO NOT HAVE THE NEW BATTERY SOURCE RUNNING.

If it still clicks rebuild the starter button, see Shop Talk.

If it starts, go get a new battery.

Thank you senior.