Sticky Solenoid? Early ZX6R Starter Engagement Problem

For general Technical and Performance Discussions

Sticky Solenoid? Early ZX6R Starter Engagement Problem

Postby Bogan » Sun Jan 24, 2010 10:33 am

Folks,

Macca's tracky has an issue where if I press the starter sometimes it's just a faint click, and nothing much else happens unless I reach under the seat and thump the plastic battery box thingy. I used to have a similar problem with my old XC Falcon where the starter solenoid would stick and a thump with the end of my club lock would free it up and it would start. This sounds more like some sort of loose connection to me, anyone got any ideas to enable trouble free starting every time on Toosday?

:kuda: :kuda: :kuda:
Tony

I have become race...

the kid wrote:But remember one thing , Dave #3 watches videos of rampant Circus Ponies every time Cath goes down the street shopping so dont listen to anything he says . :twisted:
User avatar
Bogan
KSRC Contributor
KSRC Contributor
 
Posts: 1371
Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 10:25 am
Bike: Other Kawi
State: ACT

Re: Sticky Solenoid? Early ZX6R Starter Engagement Problem

Postby JD01 » Sun Jan 24, 2010 10:57 pm

I think the starter relay is just behind the battery, could be that?
JD01
Warming up
Warming up
 
Posts: 66
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2009 8:55 pm
Bike: ZX6R
State: Please Select a State

Re: Sticky Solenoid? Early ZX6R Starter Engagement Problem

Postby Ratmick » Sun Jan 24, 2010 11:14 pm

I am assuming the Kawasaki in question is the same as my Hornet (my previous old Kwakkas were). These have the battery wiring terminated in a crimp connector with a hole for screwing onto the battery terminals. I'm also assuming the battery is good. This may be a big assumption, it may have an internal issue where tapping the case makes a connection.

If it was up to me I would disconnect the cables and pull the battery out.
Clean the battery terminals with very fine sandpaper/emery cloth. If they are rounded off file them flat with a fine file so the crimp connector has a flat surface to sit on.
Clean the crimp connectors themselves with the same sandpaper paying close attention to the state of the wiring attached to the terminals themselves. Do the wires need cutting and re-crimping or are they securely crimped/attached?

Re-assemble everything and ensure the screws holding the wiring to the battery terminals are tight. Does the problem still occur? If not, woo!
If it does follow the cabling and check every component/connector and wire sequentially. You might want to check the connections on the starter motor as the next starting point, the problem with bikes is that everything is out in the weather and gets covered in road grime and other crap. Alas road grime and crap don't conduct electricity and generally will promote corrosion...which also doesn't conduct electricity :cry:.

Can you borrow a known-good battery? This may be worth trying too.

Good luck with it, electrical problems can be a bitch.

Mick 8)
User avatar
Ratmick
Team Hornet
 
Posts: 1931
Joined: Wed Apr 21, 2004 12:22 pm
Location: Macedon Ranges
Bike: Other Kawi
State: Victoria

Re: Sticky Solenoid? Early ZX6R Starter Engagement Problem

Postby Ratmick » Mon Feb 01, 2010 9:33 pm

...so how did this go?

Mick :?
User avatar
Ratmick
Team Hornet
 
Posts: 1931
Joined: Wed Apr 21, 2004 12:22 pm
Location: Macedon Ranges
Bike: Other Kawi
State: Victoria

Re: Sticky Solenoid? Early ZX6R Starter Engagement Problem

Postby Bogan » Wed Feb 03, 2010 9:21 am

Erm, we didn't have a problem with it at EC on the 26th, and I haven't done anything about fixing it yet...

:oops:

Will get around to it one day :kuda: :kuda: :kuda:
Tony

I have become race...

the kid wrote:But remember one thing , Dave #3 watches videos of rampant Circus Ponies every time Cath goes down the street shopping so dont listen to anything he says . :twisted:
User avatar
Bogan
KSRC Contributor
KSRC Contributor
 
Posts: 1371
Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 10:25 am
Bike: Other Kawi
State: ACT

Re: Sticky Solenoid? Early ZX6R Starter Engagement Problem

Postby Strika » Wed Feb 03, 2010 9:23 am

Could also just be a starter relay in it's early stages of failure.
"I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me" Hunter S. Thompson.
There are really only two questions in life. 1.Which way do i go? 2.What is the lap record?
User avatar
Strika
VIP MEMBER
VIP MEMBER
 
Posts: 8373
Joined: Tue Feb 01, 2005 8:02 am
Location: Melbourne
Bike: Yamaha
State: Victoria


Return to General Tech & Performance Talk

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 10 guests

cron