Won't start

[flaggerphil]

Well, I went into the garage a few minutes ago to ride to a doctor appointment and my RT won't start. When I turn the key everything does what it's supposed to but when I hit the starter button it just clicks and the system recycles. Already checked that the ignition is turned on (first thing I checked). I'm pretty sure it's because it's sat for over a month without being started because I haven't been able to ride due to medical problems, and my wife disconnected the trickle charger while cleaning the garage. I'm going to call the dealer, but if anyone has any ideas in the mean time I'd love to hear them.

Also, it's in neutral, and I've tried it with and without my foot on the brake.

Here's something strange...when I turned the key on it made a long, low whistling sound. I've never heard that before.

 

[Bob Denman]

:shocked: You... the battery is dying from loneliness...
Can you jump start it? :dontknow:
Try riding a gear lower, so that the magneto spins fast enough to make some serious juice to stuff back into the battery!

Good Luck! :thumbup:

 

[flaggerphil]

:shocked: You... the battery is dying from loneliness...
Can you jump start it? :dontknow:
Try riding a gear lower, so that the magneto spins fast enough to make some serious juice to stuff back into the battery!

Good Luck! :thumbup:

I'm pretty sure you're right. My wife gets home in about a half hour and I'm going to try and jump it then.

 

[spydaman60]

loose battery connection at terminal?:dontknow:

 

[flaggerphil]

loose battery connection at terminal?:dontknow:

I'll check.

 

[Mick N]

Sounds like a weak or dead battery based on my experiences. Get a battery charger or battery tender on it for 4-6 hours and see if it has the spark of life back and will start.... let it run for bit, enough to warm the engine and get the oil up to temp, and turn it off Let it sit for 10-20 minutes and restart if ok, charge it more or take it for a longish ride to help get it up to strength to exercise the system and do not turn if off until you get home. If it restarts then, it could be ok... or not. Test your battery to be on the safe side.

 

[Bob Denman]

Phil,
Is this the original battery that came with the bike? :dontknow:
(I should have asked this earlier...pps
If it is; it might just be time to replace it anyway... :shocked:

 

[flaggerphil]

Phil,
Is this the original battery that came with the bike? :dontknow:
(I should have asked this earlier...pps
If it is; it might just be time to replace it anyway... :shocked:

It is and it may be time.

 

[billybovine]

As others have diagnosed dead battery and it needs to be charged.

There is no evidence that the battery is bad or good. Bob D. appears to own a lot of stock in battery companies and will recommend a new battery for every electrical problem. If you suspect a bad battery. Charge it up and then take it to a place that sells batteries. Most will load test it for free. Then you will know for sure.

 

[Mr. White]

Okay, don't yell at me as I am old and nothing changes my mind....but I change batteries every three years, needed or not. Cheap insurance as where I ride sometimes in west Texas, there is no cell service and very lonely roads and I sure don't want to get stuck out there....or anywhere. Yep...every three years!

:spyder2:

 

[Bob Denman]

As others have diagnosed dead battery and it needs to be charged.

There is no evidence that the battery is bad or good. Bob D. appears to own a lot of stock in battery companies and will recommend a new battery for every electrical problem. If you suspect a bad battery. Charge it up and then take it to a place that sells batteries. Most will load test it for free. Then you will know for sure.

:shocked: I only WISH that I owned stock in them...:banghead:
I initially assumed that the battery was original... it turned out, that I got lucky with that!
That Battery has probably seen it's best years in the rearview mirror already. A Month of sitting kind of gave that indication. I DID say to jump start it, and see what happens. :thumbup:
I'm sorry if I jumped the gun; But I'll stand by the advice!

 

[napper39]

after you charge the batt.that should take care of the starting the bike alwas keep the maintaner on at all times your not riding .:thumbup:

 

[billybovine]

Age is a poor indicator of how good a battery is. My cage is a good example. Last year the battery fail a load test. No issues starting at all. Replaced the 8 year old battery. This year battery failed the load test. Replaced the 11 month old battery. Again no starting problems. The replacement was free. Still under warranty.

Next spring near the end of my Spyders winter sleep. I will charge the battery and take it to the battery store. I will leave the store with the old battery if it passes the load test. With a new one if it fails.

 

[Bob Denman]

But you have to admit; time does not treat them kindly.

 

[flaggerphil]

after you charge the batt.that should take care of the starting the bike alwas keep the maintaner on at all times your not riding .:thumbup:

I will let my wife know.

 

[Brettssunshine]

Same Boat

This is exactly what my Spyder did this morning when I went out to ride in to work. It started on Wednesday evening and I let it sit in the driveway and idle for awhile since my husband and I were moving motorcycles around in the garage. Did we find out what was wrong with flaggerphil's by chance?

When I purchased the Spyder about 2 months ago, a new battery had been installed that month (June). Since I had to come to work, I won't be able to do anything with it until this afternoon when I get home. I do not have it on a battery tender since it doesn't sit for more than a day or two unridden. I guess I jinxed myself on Wednesday when I told my husband that I had read the 08/09 models didn't have many mechanical issues compared to some other models.

 

[billybovine]

This is exactly what my Spyder did this morning when I went out to ride in to work. It started on Wednesday evening and I let it sit in the driveway and idle for awhile since my husband and I were moving motorcycles around in the garage. Did we find out what was wrong with flaggerphil's by chance?

When I purchased the Spyder about 2 months ago, a new battery had been installed that month (June). Since I had to come to work, I won't be able to do anything with it until this afternoon when I get home. I do not have it on a battery tender since it doesn't sit for more than a day or two unridden. I guess I jinxed myself on Wednesday when I told my husband that I had read the 08/09 models didn't have many mechanical issues compared to some other models.

The battery is discharged and needs to be charged up. If does not take a charge lets us know.

 

[wiredgeorge]

I agree that it sounds like the battery BUT...

1. Battery cell is sulfated and won't take a charge. If you jump, it still won't start. Change battery.

2. Battery discharged from sitting but Will take a charge; jump and run the bike long enough for the battery
to recharge.

To jump, use cables on car battery and put POS cable on POS battery terminal and NEG cable on frame ground.
Don't start car. Let the thing sit there for 5 - 10 minutes and then try and start. If it starts, the cells in the
battery may still be OK and if not, new battery time. You can also pull the battery and take to auto parts
place for a load test. If the battery is 4 years old I wouldn't bother. I would just replace.

Next point, when new battery is installed and you can start the Spyder easily, put a multi-meter on the battery
terminals (in lowest VDC range) and rev engine to 3500 rpm and check voltage. If you get a tad over 14VDC,
then the charging system is OK and you can rest assured that you will have no real issues with it in the near
term.

 

[Brettssunshine]

Update

My husband put the charger on my battery before he left for work this morning :clap:. When I got home this afternoon, my :spyder2: started right up! :yes:

 

[Bob Denman]

:congrats: Could it have just been a battery connection in need of some tightening? :dontknow: