XVS 125 ignition prob

[benblack]

Hi. I only recently started riding, sorting myself out with a 2004 125cc XVS. It has ran perfectly since I got it about 6 weeks ago but seems to have developed a problem.

When the key is turned on, I have headlights, speedo lights etc, so there is power going through the battery. However, when pressing the start switch, the bike makes a strange clicking sound - it actually sounds like arcing. The starter motor doesn't turn.

Now, as you can tell, I haven't the foggiest idea about anything bike related. Having spoken to a few serious bike riding co-workers, they all say the same thing - the starter motor.

Upon "looking" for the starter motor, I decided to try to find the exact location of the clicking, and it seems to be the little box where the +/- cables FROM the battery go to - the box with slide type fuses and wires coming from it. I unscrewed the battery cables on both ends and reset them. I pulled all the electrical connectors and reseated them. Still the same clicking noise.

So - is it the starter motor? (If so - do I just get a new one?)
Is it maybe a fuse needs replacing?
Is it an electrical problem?
Is it something so obvious I should know?

Many thanks in advance for any help and advice.

P.S - Should it be necessary, I actually have a recording of the clicking / arcing noise if it might help (Nerd or what?)
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Kawasaki ZX6R J1

[Stalk]

Hello Mate,
Is the battery flat? That could be a very likely source of the problem especialy if it is a bit old in this cold weather. Especialy if bike has not been used for a few days or lots of short runs with all lights on (won,t recover from starting engine)

If the battery is fully charged, does the headlight go dim when you press the start button, If it stays as bright as normal it would indicate that the starter motor was not drawing any current. This would indicate a wireing problem or the starter solenoid being defective.

The solinoid may be an integral part of the starter motor.

If the headlight goes dim, it would indicate that the starter is drawing current but not turning / jammed.

Sometimes possible to free a starter by pressing the start button and tapping the motor with a hammer handle (medium gently) to shock it out of its jam.

Worst case, sized engine. Highly unlikely.

All above is generic information as I have no direct experiance with your bike. Hope it helps.

[benblack]

Hi.
I have used the bike every day since purchase with no problems except for once - I switched up a gear and lost ALL power - engine, lights etc. Pulled over and the bike restarted on the 3rd attempt. Don't know what caused that and luckily it was 4:30 am so no traffic to hold up / hit me etc.

The battery has been on charge for the last 6 hours - I'll give it 10-12 hours and try in the morning.

With regards to lights dimming - yes they do dim on pressing the starter button.

I JUST CHECKED THE BATTERY ON CHARGE AND IT IS DEAD. i HAVE A SPARE SO i'M CHARGING THAT NOW.

Will try other battery in the morning.

With the clicking / arcing, I originally thought it may be a wiring or fuse issue. When I checked the wiring, the boxes that the wires go into and out of are heavily greased. I took this to be where the previous owner had greased them for ease of maintanence but wonder if the grease may be getting into the connections and causing some sort of shorting?

If the battery doen't solve the issue - I'll try and pick up a new starter on Monday and see if that solves anything. If it doesn't, at least I'll have a spare starter motor.

Thanks for your help.

Ben
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Kawasaki ZX6R J1