Starting Issue

[mymastiff]

Hello everyone, new member here, site looks great. Need some help, just bought a 04 Mastiff, beautiful bike in great shape, drove it off lot and about 20 miles to show it off, after sitting for about 20 minutes it would not start. It would make 2 clicking sounds and nothing else, dealer came out and replaced battery and it fired right up, next day same issue, dealer has it but they seem stumped, any ideas? By the way it's not a Big Dog Dealer.

 

[Nukeranger]

If possible, get a load test done on the battery. Then check your connections. They should be tight and clean. Finally, check that the charging system is charging the battery if it starts. This will be a good starting place. Some dealers are better than others!

 

[woodbutcher]

the new battery he put in it was probably not fully charged. DO NOT settle for a cheap-assed battery, it HAS GOT TO BE at least 320 cca and on a full charge. get yourself a battery tender and when you are not on the bike put the tender on it. the EHC pulls 2.5% out of the battery per day just sitting and it does not take long for it to be too weak to crank.

 

[mymastiff]

Thanks guys! I did put it on a tender over night before I called them back, it supposedly was fully charged the next morning and still would not turn over. I don't think it is anything major, hopefully I have it back soon. Should I always leave it on a tender?

 

[woodbutcher]

like i said: "get yourself a battery tender and when you are not on the bike put the tender on it"

unless your battery is super good, it won't last long. i've got a braille and don't worry about it cranking when i'm out and about but if you do a lot of short bar-hops, it will kill the battery fast. remember, it takes 20 miles of riding to put the charge back into the battery that it took to crank it. 117 is a beast.

 

[mymastiff]

Will do. I'm new to these type bikes, ridden and raced motocross for 12-15 yrs, too old for that now so I've transitioned over. I have a vast knowledge of those bikes but see I have a lot to learn with these.

 

[BadBrad]

What brand of battery do you have in it? Using a volt meter, take a reading of the battery as you push the start button then report back your findings. Once you get a good battery in the bike, crank it and check to see if you're charging the battery around 14.5 volts.

 

[mymastiff]

Not sure on the battery type, they picked the bike up the next day, could be the issue.

 

[BadBrad]

Like others have already said, do not let them go back with a cheap, low CCA battery. It won't last! The two that seem to have done the best for the majority of members on this site are Braille and the Harley brand battery, both are AGM batteries.

 

[1BADK9]

Will do. I'm new to these type bikes, ridden and raced motocross for 12-15 yrs, too old for that now so I've transitioned over. I have a vast knowledge of those bikes but see I have a lot to learn with these.

Same boat here Phil as a matter of fact I just sold my last dirt bike this past weekend. I am retired from that that bone breaking sport. As for no start, read some of the threads, make sure every wire you can see is attached well at each end. Sounds like something loose to me. Good Luck let us know what you find.

 

[Moespeeds]

Check this link...

http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/how/26704-what-do-if-starter-wont-turn-post379715.html#post379715

Also keep in mind that a solenoid going bad will give the same symptoms. Next time it won't start, open the starter and force the contacts as shown in that how-to. If it turns, chances are it's a bad solenoid.

 

[mymastiff]

Dealer just called, they have it running! A wire out of the starter was rubing the frame and shorting a fuse and the circuit, keeping it over night to be sure the battery is charging and holding. Thanks for everyones input, greatly appreciated. Hopefully I can actually ride now.

 

[Wills67]

Got the same bike with a 107 and here are a few things I have found. Was the bike recently washed? Even if not, blow out the comm ports on the EHC and stater module under the seat. They are active and the bike will turn over but not start if wet. Once dry, fill with di-electric grease. When drying the bike, it is very easy to knock the connector of the starter under the oil tank. Two exposed terminals with a little connector that slips over them. On the front of the crankcase is a two pin connector with a rubber boot. Pull that off and blow it out then use di-electric grease. Also gets wet with washing. I'm sure there are more, but these were the several of the issues I have found since getting mine a year ago. Good Luck!