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Buell Motorcycle Forum » Old School Buell » Archive through August 31, 2009 » 01 T'bolt won't start « Previous Next »

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Cheeef
Posted on Sunday, August 16, 2009 - 08:55 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Latest in a series, the T'bolt won't start. Switches correct, REALLY in N, hit START, nothing. No click or chatter, just the headlight dims. Battery 12.48V, fuse good. I'm thinking solenoid or starter, bleepit. Any hints? I love the bike but I think it's trying to tell me something. Since I got it (04), I've been off it for: Sinus surgery, broken left thumb tendon, bullet in left foot. It's been down for tires (latest), missing/sputtering, front fork seal, regi$tration problems, problems with Fort Bliss Army regs. Any good gurus out there?}
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Kyrocket
Posted on Sunday, August 16, 2009 - 09:23 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

How old is the battery? Sometimes they'll show 12+ volts but as soon as you put it under a load, viola, it's dead. Check all your fuses? Doesn't sound like the key cylinder because you have a headlight but just for poops and snickers try wiggling the wires (3) from the cylinder to the connection (approx. 8 - 10 inches). And if that don't work check the battery cables, pos. and neg. follow them both end to end and make sure there are no breaks or tears in the insulation. Also check the ground to frame and make sure there is no corrosion under there. Then get back to us. Good luck.
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Drhacknstine
Posted on Sunday, August 16, 2009 - 10:26 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

+1 on the Battery. I've had several highend ones die this way. When wondering, I garb the battery from the car and set it next to the bike. Use jumper cables and bypass the motorcycle battery. It's a WORLD simpler than pulling the starter. You can also go straight to the starter to bypass all associated wiring, relays and switches( IE nutral safty etc...
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5liter
Posted on Sunday, August 16, 2009 - 10:29 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

You can do voltage drop tests to see if you have a grounding problem.
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Easy_rider
Posted on Sunday, August 16, 2009 - 11:36 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

+1 on the battery as well. Rather than garbing the battery from the car I'd push the bike over there and give it a jump. I've had to jump mine a work more than once - these do just fine.
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14d
Posted on Monday, August 17, 2009 - 01:42 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Have you tried bypassing the sidestand switch? Clutch switch? Start with the simple stuff, and work up from there.
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Pkforbes87
Posted on Monday, August 17, 2009 - 02:05 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

as long as the neutral switch is working properly, the sidestand and clutch switches won't prevent it from starting.

Everyone else is offering good advice.. start simple. I once had a similar problem. Bike would turn on and go through the check engine light BIT testing process while the fuel pump primes and all that.. but when I hit the starter button everything lost power, gage lights went out, etc. Turned out to be a loose cable on the battery. Hopefully your issue turns out to be just as simple.
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Ducxl
Posted on Monday, August 17, 2009 - 07:21 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Battery 12.48V
If by that you mean after charging i'd say it's spent.I'll bet it drops to 9v under load.Your description cries of weak battery.At less than $100. a new one is worth the effort
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Hughlysses
Posted on Monday, August 17, 2009 - 07:40 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I'll bet it's the battery too, but don't just spring for one. Any auto parts store or your dealership can do a load test on one and tell you for certain if it's bad or not.
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Tyronewildman
Posted on Tuesday, August 18, 2009 - 07:50 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Cheeef, Tell us the battery voltage when ur pressing the start button & the lites are dimmed.
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Buellistic
Posted on Tuesday, August 18, 2009 - 10:02 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Check your battery connections: ie: cable to starter and ground cable at ground connection ...

WHY YOU ASK ???, well a bad connection acts like a HIGH RESISTANCE "OPEN" and they will get "HOT" to the touch ...

MAY THE LONG LASTING BUELL BE WITH YOU !!!
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Cheeef
Posted on Tuesday, August 18, 2009 - 11:28 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Thankyouthankyouthankyou everybody. Taking 14d's and Buellistics' advice, before I read it, I went back to basics, simplest 1st, and work up. + batt. post bolt was loose. 10mm and 10 sec. later, VROOM! All the suggestions will be printed and go into my troubleshooting folder. Thanx again.
The BUELL is with me!
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14d
Posted on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 - 12:27 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

It's always sweet when it's something simple and cheap. Glad you're back on the road.
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Xodot
Posted on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 - 02:07 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

MAN, I LOVE THIS FORUM!
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Fullauto
Posted on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 - 07:29 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Me too.
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