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Another rvf starting problem

Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 5:06 am
by chuchu20
Hey guys currently looking through the forum but of anyone can help me further.

I've got an rvf and having trouble starting it. Battery shows 12.03v. All lights are on and fuses checked. Starter relay is clicking when button is pressed. Kill switch is on. Tried it in neutral and in first and just won't start.

Happed last night we were out for a normal ride stopped after an hour of riding and the bike just wouldn't start. For the rest of the night had to push start it.

I am thinking starter motor or batter dropping a cell? Any way of testing the starter motor or battery?

Thanks for your help.

Re: Another rvf starting problem

Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 5:56 am
by Cammo
Is it 12.03v when the ignition is off? If so, that's way too low, the battery is fooked.

Re: Another rvf starting problem

Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 6:09 am
by chuchu20
Can you tell me what the different voltages are meant to be?
Battery on its own, when ignition is on, when trying to start and when actually running?

Re: Another rvf starting problem

Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 6:38 am
by magg
1. Fully charged battery, no load, 12.8 volts or greater.
2. Ignition ON for an RVF means light ON also, so battery voltage should be around 12.5 volts.
3. While starting battery voltage should be greater than 10 volts. Any lower is flat or lost a cell.
4. Engine running at 5000 rpm 13-14 volts, this test is an indication that charging system is operating ok.

Re: Another rvf starting problem

Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 6:44 am
by chuchu20
Awesome thanks i ll check all that again tonight.

Forgot to mention however that i did hook up the battery from my cb400 and still nothing. All i get is a clicking sound from the starter relay. Thinking is the starter motor now. Anyone else got an idea or how i can check this.

Re: Another rvf starting problem

Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 7:10 am
by magg
Could be dud starter relay, clicking sound does not necessarily mean it is working. Try measuring the resistance to chassis from the nut terminal on the starter relay that has the lead that connects to the starter motor (not the batter). The starter motor resistance should be close to zero. Also you could measure the voltage across the two nut terminals on the starter relay when pressing the starter button. The voltage should change from 12 volts to <1 volt as the contact close.

Re: Another rvf starting problem

Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 7:21 am
by chuchu20
When talking about nut terminal are you talking about the back of the relay where the battery attaches to the relay?

Re: Another rvf starting problem

Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 7:58 am
by magg
Yes there should be two nut type terminals. One has a lead that goes to the battery and the other has a lead that goes to the starter motor.

Re: Another rvf starting problem

Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 10:16 am
by chuchu20
Okay after touching and playing around it was the starter relay.

after touching and knocking it around abit it worked. thanks Magg and Cammo.

Now the next thing is where is the best place to buy one. There are some available on ebay.

Many from HK but they are square shape, while the original is round.