*click* when I push the go button

[SacDuc]

Hey folks,

I'm getting the wife's bike out of moth balls. Everything looks good. But when I push the starter all I get is a click. I need to charge the battery right? Please tell me I just need to charge the battery.

Cheers

sac

[He Man]

yup thats what it sounds like. relay is clicking. battery doenst have enough power to spin the starter so nothing happens.

[EEL]

Worst case scenario, you could always bump start and charge it by going for a long ride..

[teddy037.2]

+1 on the batt

[SacDuc]

Thanks all.

Battery is charging now. With any luck I'll be going for a little putt-putt this evening. Oh and put air in the tires and gas her up and giver her a bath and lube and tension the chain and and and . . .   

sac

[SacDuc]

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!   

Charged up the battery. Popped it back in. Heard: clickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclick
I turned the key to on and the gauges did not sweep, the head light did not come on and I didn't hear a click when I tried to start her.

Do I need to use the red key if I yank the bettery? I didn't fry the ECU somehow did I?

sac

/'05 m620 btw

[Ddan]

No.  Probably the battery either isn't charged, or won't take one.  How old is it and how long has it been sitting?  Are you sure all your connections are clean and tight?  Try connecting jumper cables from the bike to a car that isn't running.

[SacDuc]

No.  Probably the battery either isn't charged, or won't take one.  How old is it and how long has it been sitting?  Are you sure all your connections are clean and tight?  Try connecting jumper cables from the bike to a car that isn't running.

Hooking it up to a car is the first thing I tried. Yeah the connections are good. The battery is original and has been sitting for many months. Its probably dead. I'll get a new one. Dammit.

Thanks for your help.

sac

[He Man]

motored sports has used ones for $40 bucks. The newer ones that lay flat on its side are pretty make the beast with two backsing expensive if you buy new. ($150+) unless you go generic brand at autozone (if they carry it) $110.

How long did you leave it on the charger for? it has t o be atleat 80% full to even crank the engine.

[herm]

i just went through the same thing Sac...
old dead battery...wouldnt take a charge.

[thejsnide]

+1... mine sat for about 8 months before I bought it and battery was completely worthless.

[He Man]

+1... mine sat for about 8 months before I bought it and battery was completely worthless.

Wetcell? they need to be activated. 8 months is still within limits.
Dry cells dont need to be activated until you first start using them. But even then 8 months is still within shelflife limit

[Howie]

Batteries loose their charge when not in use and need to receive a maintenance charge, if not they sulfate.  Since motorcycle batteries don't start out with a lot of capacity there is a good possibility the battery that hasn't been maintained for 8 months is toast.  "Dry" batteries (AGM and gel) are more resistant to sulfation, but still suffer.  The best way to know for sure is to fully charge (12.6-12.8V) and load test.  You will need to go to someone with the equipment to load teas the battery, which can be a PITA.  A shade tree alternative is just fully charge and see if it cranks the engine.  If you want to be a little more scientific, put a volt meter across the battery and crank.  It should read above 9.6 volts while cranking.  You could also try substituting  or jumping from a known good battery.