bike wont start (starter problems *grumble*)

[element]

Originally posted here but I guess I should make my own thread..
https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=111698

My bike (DT125RE) has been running without problems since july until one morning after I had been to shops....

I went to pull off and stalled anyways I put the bike back into neutral and tried the starter button as u do but nothing.. You could hear the solenoid clicking and that was it. I quickly found out that by putting it in first then rocking the bike and putting it back into neutral allowed me to start the bike. Anyhow a few weeks of pretty much starting first time I only occasionally had to do all the messing around to get it to start..

Now its got to the point where it hardly ever starts (apart from today when it started first time!! ) Most of the time now the solenoid just clicks and if I try put it gear then back to neutral, it'll try and turn for a second and then you'll hear a servo sort of noise for maybe 2 seconds and then nothing although its not often it'll do that. It will bump start without fail though but I dont like doing it.

Anyways Ive charged the battery (tried another too and still no luck). The reading after charging was 13v. With with the ignition on its 12.7v and then when I press the starter it drops to 12.5v. Ive checked the voltages after the relay (which I have also cleaned) is also 12.5v when pressing the starter. I also checked the voltages while the bike is running and it was 14.4v.

So if im not jumping ahead too fast I can pretty much rule out the battery(s) and the starter relay? So off I go and see how to remove the starter motor BUT (always something to stop you) I can only find one screw (fecking posidrive one at that ) and I can feel its a soft screw. I tried mildly with and impact driver but I can feel it just beginning to make a mess of the head so Ive left it incase I decide to take it into the dealership (feck it let them have the bother with it )

So before I do that is there anything I have missed? (Ive tried tapping the starter motor aswell)..

cheers
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04' DT125RE (run-a-bout) // 89' DT125R (rebuilt + supermoto conversion)
SPARES FOR SALE. 2RK TZR // 82 DR125 // DT125R/E .... PM ME...

[thefallenange...]

simplest way to check a battery with a meter i find is to drop the lights on full because it's the highest drain on the battery. If it drops by more than a volt be worried but it sounds like the battery is ok.

Check the wiring in general because all auto electronics are crap basically. Something so simple you may have missed.


I'm saying the above with my bike in a million pieces becuase of an electrical fault.
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Past - CG125 ,KR1S, SV650s, Street Triple R - Current - Duke 390

r.bridge1988@gmail.com

[element]

[thefallenange...]

[element]

[gilbert7]

if the screw is that bad then corrosion has probably got to the starter motor.

also you'll want to follow the wires from the starter motor and check the connections. don't just look at the connections take them apart and look in them because if dirt or corrosion has got in them this could stop them working.

[MattEMulsion]

From what you have described it does sound like your starter motor is sticking. If you can sometimes rock it into action then it starts fine, my guess is that all of your problems are starter motor related and not battery or wiring.

If you can't get it off without butchering it then may I suggest that you take it to a professional, to be sorted out before its fittings get too damaged.
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Yamaha YZF-R6

[rik220]

I had the same problem with my scooter. Turned out my starter had seized, and i mean locked solid.
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Honda x8r. Aprilia Rs50
Honda CR85
Renault Clio 1.2

[element]

ive pretty much exhausted any other options. The only thing left is to try a brand new battery but im sceptical since according to my battery charger both of my batteries are fully charged.. Both read 13v when charged and read at 12.5v when pushing the starter. Not only that £30 wasted on a battery I dont need could be spent on an hours labour.. You know it actually makes me want to cry at the thought of having to actually get someone to take my starter motor off. If I could get it off, Id fix the bugger myself..

I did a quick check though to see the voltage when it does occasionally try and turn and the voltage drops to 10v..

I am almost 90% sure its the starter motor but I wanted to try everything else before I bend over for the dealer

The only time it rarely fires up off the button is after its been riden for a while but even then you got to prat about putting it in gear, rocking the bike and then back in neutral.

Thanks to all for the advice so far..


edit... And i hate to think the price of a new starter. Was reading about the tt250 starter problems.. £200 for a starter?! oh boy.. Luckily my bike shares its engine with the newer tzr's and tdr's so it'll make the hunt for a second hand one that little bit easier..
____________________
04' DT125RE (run-a-bout) // 89' DT125R (rebuilt + supermoto conversion)
SPARES FOR SALE. 2RK TZR // 82 DR125 // DT125R/E .... PM ME...

[MattEMulsion]