Dead battery, now cranks but no start

I really need to get a battery tender, yes.

Let the battery go flat (motobatt), charged it for a couple hours, still not enough to get it started. Left the booster on
to get it cranked up, voltmeter said 17+ (!). Cracked the throttle, stalled instantly. Then just a bunch of clicking from
the relay right behind the battery (starter relay?). Gave up for the night.
Put it on the charger again last night, cranks fine, but still a loud click (just one) from that relay. Never noticed the click
before. Cranks just fine, but will not fire. I can smell gas in the mufflers. Any ideas?

 

no amps = new battery

 

also highly suggest you follow the 'drill'.

 

Check that the kill switch it on, if it is cranking but not firing, first thing to check

 

I also suspect your battery is dead and needs replacing.

FI systems are inclined to just shut off if the battery output drops too low, which seems likely as you do not mention hearing the fuel system priming.

In case it helps you figure out how all the systems fit together, you can get an overview of the basic layout and interlocks on a PGMFI system in this diagram.

If you are really stuck, you might try sending a PM to Reggie - your Atascadero neighbour. Last time I was there, he seemed to have pretty much a whole VFR available as spare parts in his garage, so he might be able to lend you a serviceable battery just to test and see if that fixes the problem.

Obviously if the battery in your VFR is the original or just very old, then I would just go ahead and replace it anyway with a new one. (You will find motorbike batteries from premium brands like Yuasa will have a production date stamped or printed code on them if you look close - consult the manufacturer site for information on how to decode the information.) However if your battery is relatively new - you probably need to work out why has it discharged? OK if you know you accidentally left the lights on or done something similar, which has drained the battery - don't fret. But if its just died without warning you may need to do "The Drill".


Good luck - let us know how your get on.



SkiMad

 

Yep, as noted in above post battery is shot, The low voltage causes the relay to chatter.

 

Thanks for the replies!

PO claimed the battery was fairly new (a year ago), but it's a little too big anyway....

I did check the kill switch

Don't recall hearing the fuel pump, but there was a definite smell of gas out the mufflers.

Guess I'll go get a battery today (hopefully) and give 'er another go.

Thanks again! :yo:

 

Picked up an $87 gel battery at the local bike shop, fired right up! Of course the weather went to shiat right after :/

There's some mystery wire, added by the PO, that disappears somewhere under the RH cowling....left it disconnected, seems like everything still works....hmmmm

 

Just get ready for a new battery soon, I have not had any success with those gel batteries in motorcycles, they don't seem to like the way motorcycles charge them

 

I know I cheaped out, lol

Plus, the Motobatt that the PO installed was a lil too tall, I seem to be missing part of the battery hold down :/

 

Good to hear the bike is running OK.

I would be tempted to get the old battery tested to see if the problem was simply a dead cell, in which case you are good to go. If not, you may still have electrical issues which may come back to bite you.

The stock battery on a European vtec is a Yuasa YTZ12S and should easily last three years daily use. I too have heard plenty of riders reporting their gel battery "upgrades" did not last, and several have stressed they should be really be seen as a track use only mod.

The stock battery is held in place with a thick rubber band with metal hoops at each end (this is Honda part fitted to loads of other Honda bikes so could be sourced from a breakers yard). The attachment points should be obvious - with one end hooked into a cut out in the side of the battery case and the other attached to a metal bracket which is hinged to allow the battery to be slid into place. Even if you have gone to a lighter gel battery, you really still need to make sure it it is secured and stays in place - especially during accident conditions - as insecure batteries can short and cause fires!

As the new owner, you might not know if electrical issues were the main reason why this bike was being sold. At the very least I would recommend fitting one of those cheap LED digital volt meter from eBay - you can pick one up for less than $5.00 so its a cheap and useful accessory for any VFR!

Obviously a volt meter will not prevent electrical gremlins, but it will allow you to monitor the health of your charging system as you ride. The cheaper meters are rarely very accurate - but what matters is that the displayed volts remain within a sensible range and are stable once the bike is running. Obviously if you suddenly see the volts drop through the floor or go through the ceiling you know you need to find a safe place to stop before whatever energy is left in the battery are drained and you are left stranded somewhere.

So now the bike is running again, if the weather improves - maybe take it for a spin along Highway 229 - Rossi's Driveway. It seems designed for VFR's just watch out for sand drifts! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7GZh9yB3k4

:vtr2::vtr2::vtr2::vtr2::vtr2:


SkiMad

 

Ah, I see the hooks now. Looks like I'm missing the second "push-lock" plastic thing that holds the side cover on. too.

The PO installed a great big red LED voltmeter on the left side....I can easily monitor voltage Don't think he sold it due to electrical gremlins, it's always started until recently (unless I let the battery go flat ).

Took it out after lunch today, running great! Charging around 13.0-13.2 volts.

 

13.0 to 13.2v charging is EXTREMELY low. You should be up around 14.2-14.5

 

Well, crap. It's always something, innit??

I guess when there's no good riding days left (month or so, prolly) I'll wheel it down to the shop and dig into it. Right now I'm just happy to be riding again

 

Just saw/ read you're in Regs neighborhood, you at the least should swing by his hangout and say Hi, that and keep an eye out for R3 vfr meet and greet sorta thing at the end of May. I agree about it being low, was that at idle? or just off, most are fully kicked in by 1900 rs, if not ,that's a bit low as Jeff noted.