starter flat spot?

[wyliec]

My 2008 GS has just over 26,000 miles and I started noticing last year that there was a slight hesitation when I hit the start switch. You could hear the engine try to crank for a split second and then catch and start. Do you think flat spot? The battery is an Odyssey PC680 and is 2 years old and puts out 14.20 volts when running; all connections are tight. The hesitation is sometimes more pronounced than at other times. I've never seen this mentioned on here before and I'm curious.

 

[Jeriatric]

First suspicion

Battery is giving up.

 

[Cavman]

Check the voltage when the bike is not running. Then you have battery voltage and not the charging system voltage.

 

[wyliec]

Check the voltage when the bike is not running. Then you have battery voltage and not the charging system voltage.

12.22 volts with key on, and it drops because there is a draw on the system with key on and not starting the spyder. I let it drop to 12.17 and then turned the key off and voltage was back up to 12.22.:dontknow:

 

[wyliec]

Battery is giving up.

I hope not. The Odyssey is supposed to be a pretty good battery. I've had it for 3 years only. I tendered it every few weeks this past winter until I got the green light on the charger, which is specifically for that battery.

 

[spyderbirds]

12.22 volts with key on, and it drops because there is a draw on the system with key on and not starting the spyder. I let it drop to 12.17 and then turned the key off and voltage was back up to 12.22.:dontknow:

A no load voltage of 12.6 is considered full charge and a voltage of 12.0 is completely discharged. (these voltage figures are from the spyder maintenance manuals...)

I would say your battery is on the verge of giving up the ghost.

 

[Jeriatric]

Juice

I hope not. The Odyssey is supposed to be a pretty good battery. I've had it for 3 years only. I tendered it every few weeks this past winter until I got the green light on the charger, which is specifically for that battery.

Hope not too.

Mine passed the voltage test and heavy load, load test when I first thought there was a problem. Less than two weeks later it went. Big time and all at once. Do you carry jumpers or the new jump start battery pack that's become so popular? Might be worth considering, until you know for sure. Just thinking of ya. :thumbup::doorag:

 

[wyliec]

Hope not too.

Mine passed the voltage test and heavy load, load test when I first thought there was a problem. Less than two weeks later it went. Big time and all at once. Do you carry jumpers or the new jump start battery pack that's become so popular? Might be worth considering, until you know for sure. Just thinking of ya. :thumbup::doorag:

Do you have a link handy for the jump start pack? I'll be getting my spyder inspected this week at my dealer and will have the battery checked also.

 

[Jeriatric]

Micro start

Shop for price. And, understand there is one for basically jump starts witout all the gizmos. Made by the same company, and at a lower price.

http://www.amazon.com/Antigravity-B...1396814473&sr=8-35&keywords=battery+jump+pack

Do you have a link handy for the jump start pack? I'll be getting my spyder inspected this week at my dealer and will have the battery checked also.

 

[Chupaca]

Just a thought..!!

I will get a stumble from time to time depending on weather and ryde. I think it is just where the pistons are at that point. Like a vapor lock once the starter clears the cylinder it cranks right up. Just a slow heavy turn. But checking the battery can't hurt....:thumbup:

 

[Rd_Runner]

Battery is getting tired

My 2008 GS has just over 26,000 miles and I started noticing last year that there was a slight hesitation when I hit the start switch. You could hear the engine try to crank for a split second and then catch and start. Do you think flat spot? The battery is an Odyssey PC680 and is 2 years old and puts out 14.20 volts when running; all connections are tight. The hesitation is sometimes more pronounced than at other times. I've never seen this mentioned on here before and I'm curious.

The 14.20 V you quote is voltage due to the charging system when the engine is running.

What matters in your case is the battery voltage while cranking.
Per my 2013 service manual, the battery voltage should drop to no less than 10.0 V while cranking. This of course assumes a good starter and the battery is fully charged. So if the battery voltage drops below 10.0 VDC, it is time to replace it.

- Mike

 

[wyliec]

I think the battery voltages you mentioned are pretty low.
If you are measuring it with a DMM check your car battery to see if it’s the meter or the batt.

I installed a meter on my spyder a few years back that is used for robotic/robot projects. I'm not sure of it's accuracy.

 

[wyliec]

The 14.20 V you quote is voltage due to the charging system when the engine is running.

What matters in your case is the battery voltage while cranking.
Per my 2013 service manual, the battery voltage should drop to no less than 10.0 V while cranking. This of course assumes a good starter and the battery is fully charged. So if the battery voltage drops below 10.0 VDC, it is time to replace it.

- Mike

I'll give that a try tomorrow before work. That way if I see the battery is low, I'll take the car and order a battery.

 

[Bob Denman]

Shop for price. And, understand there is one for basically jump starts witout all the gizmos. Made by the same company, and at a lower price.

http://www.amazon.com/Antigravity-B...1396814473&sr=8-35&keywords=battery+jump+pack

Cruzr Joe just got done suggesting that these would go well on everybody'd "Wish-Lists" :thumbup:

 

[spydaman60]

thanks to both of you! been looking for something like this. :2thumbs:

 

[Jeriatric]

Cruzr Joe just got done suggesting that these would go well on everybody'd "Wish-Lists" :thumbup:

No wishing here. Got one last year.

 

[project.618]

staring problem

My 2008 GS has just over 26,000 miles and I started noticing last year that there was a slight hesitation when I hit the start switch. You could hear the engine try to crank for a split second and then catch and start. Do you think flat spot? The battery is an Odyssey PC680 and is 2 years old and puts out 14.20 volts when running; all connections are tight. The hesitation is sometimes more pronounced than at other times. I've never seen this mentioned on here before and I'm curious.

I have a starting problem also , I have a 2012 RTS , auto shift , I notice it more on cold mornings , I have to press the start button about 6-8 times before the engine finally cranks over. I asked my dealer if he had complaints from others for the same problem , he said first he hear of it. The battery is only a year old. I was thinking the start switch is going bad.

 

[AbNormy]

ODYSSEY BATTERIES

Had a 4+ year old Odyssey on a BMW few years ago that died. Called the Odyssey people i bought it from seems like it was West Coast Batteries, they had me mail the flat plastic cover to them, pay the postage and they replaced it. Odyssey stands behind their products for a long time! seems like it was under $20 or $30 for freight.