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matthewbyrom |
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matthewbyrom L Plate Warrior
Joined: 29 Dec 2023 Karma :
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Posted: 12:14 - 29 Dec 2023 Post subject: 2001 Kawasaki ER5 - crackling sound from the CDI |
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Morning all,
I was wondering if someone with more experience could advise on the following:
I have ended up with a Kawasaki ER5 (2001), which has an intermittent starting fault.
Sometimes you try & start her & you hear a faint crackling before finally the starter motor engages & the bike fires up.
You could try the starter button a few times before finally it works.
Some days it can start first time.
I've had to live with this fault for some months like this, but have had time to actually take a proper look.
Taking the seat off & having a proper listen to find out where the crackling is coming from, The crackling noise is from the CDI unit under the seat before it kicks in. Sounds to me like something is shorting out in there.
My instinct is to look for a replacement CDI, but I have heard chatter that the rectifier on the ER5 can be a weak point with these bikes & started thinking if it's a faulty rectifier instead causing the crackling from the CDI.
When I first got the bike, I noticed that all the lights that illuminate the dashboard had gone. Warning lights were OK, just the dash lights had gone.
I replaced all those, but browsing a few YouTube vids about the bike, a YouTuber commented that if the dash lights all blow, it's a sign that the rectifier is on the blink.
Now I have almost no service history with this thing, so I don't know if the rectifier has been replaced in its life & no one's bothered to replace the dash lights etc. I do know I've been running for some months like this now.
To anyone with experience of these bikes - Does any of this sound like the rectifier is the root cause of all this or am I better off going for a replacement CDI?
Thought it best to at least pose the question.
All the best. |
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stinkwheel |
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stinkwheel Bovine Proctologist
Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :
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Posted: 13:40 - 29 Dec 2023 Post subject: |
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If it's crackling when the engine isn't running, it can only be getting battery voltage. The reg/rec doesn't have anything to regulate or rectify until the engine is spinning.
Give the terminals a good clean first, might just be an intermittant connection.
As always with an EX500 based bike, have a look at the main fuse holder and the wires leading into it which carry all the switched live supply to the whole bike, they are prone to corrosion which can extend a good way along the wire under the insulation. You'll find it on the starter solenoid. ____________________ “Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles. |
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matthewbyrom |
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matthewbyrom L Plate Warrior
Joined: 29 Dec 2023 Karma :
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WD Forte |
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WD Forte World Chat Champion
Joined: 17 Jun 2010 Karma :
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stinkwheel |
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stinkwheel Bovine Proctologist
Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :
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Robby |
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Robby Dirty Old Man
Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :
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sickpup |
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sickpup Old Timer
Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :
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