[Ryan Harington]

Hi There

I have quite a complicated problem no one seems to be able to solve?

I have a 2003 SP2. It has a brand new battery as the old one was dead, well that's what the bike shop said.

The battery seems to run flat over a period of time. You can hear the starter kicking over slightly slower each start over say 5 days or so, starting it 3 to 5 times a day.
It seems to run flat while actually riding the bike, but slowly, not fast enough to show the bike is nit charging at all. The oddest thing is if I leave the bike a whole week, just standing, the battery does not run flat. Only runs flat while I ride.

The tough part: it has been to a bike shop twice. They have tested everything, the charge while running is perfect and all seems fine.

I bought a special trickle/intelligent charger kit and left it over night. This works and the battery charges full. then last about 4 to 7 days, depending what distance I do.

I went away and left the bike on charge for over a week. Then all was well for about 3 months, no need to charge, the bike charged the battery just fine, now the issue is back?

Anyone had any similar problems and/or any advice?

Thanks,

 

[Hanberg[DK]]

Well, if they have tested everything, surely they would have found the fault.
Sounds of course like a charging-error.
Have you tested for loose connections? Doesnt help if it charges enough, but it doesnt reach the battery.
How much power its pulling while running/riding? How much power its charging while running/riding?

 

[MidwesterneRR]

starting it 3 to 5 times a day.

Are you running it after starting it? Starting the bike that much alone is enough to run a battery down. You might see about having the battery tested, after my last battery replacement i was still having trouble, a second new battery and it straighened right out.

Short of a bad battery id say youre just going to have to get a manual and a meter and start running things down.

 

[Ryan Harington]

Hi Charles

Indeed, what I mean by 3 to 5 starts is I do that many trips in a day. Work n back being 2, about 25km, then another 1 to 3 in a day when there's no work.

 

[Ryan Harington]

Hi Hanberg

Does seem it's going to be a tedious one......

I think I will try connect and mount a meter where I can see it while riding and have a look.

Thanks

 

[Hanberg[DK]]

You could start mounting it and checking the amps while raising the revs in neutral, its a beginning, and a bit easier.

 

[SubSailor]

Just a few quick ideas.
A well charged battery should have around 13V.
The charging system should put out 14.5V.
If your alternator isn't putting out 14.5V, you can check the alternator coils. Otherwise it may be the regulator.
Make sure your battery posts are tight and free of corrosion, as well as your ground lead to the frame on the right side.
You can do a leak down test on the battery to see if the battery is good.

 

[zerogara]

Since the last battery went dead and this one is having problems while pretty fresh, then they surely must have checked the charging system as Subsailor says, it can only be a short somewhere. Something is draining more juice out of the battery than the charging system can supply. Something may be getting fried as you go, may even lead to a fire. I would take the fairings off, go on a 15' ride and come back and do a smell test.
You are lucky it is is only shorting while the key is in the on position and not off, or you would have to connect and disconnect the battery every time you rode. Try to see if the loom from the ignition switch is warmer than usual in some places, then use the diagram to search further.
If your lights (any) start failing one by one you know it has gotten worse and the voltage has dropped less than the ligh bulb can handle.
I found some cheap led strips that measure 6-9-12-13.5-15V with a magnet in the back and used it once while riding as the short was intermitent. While the bike sat still it usually was fine, it would happen while I was riding and the lights would dim.
Let us know!

 

[UKRC51]

Hi,

I take it you have the oem battery fitted. (YTZ12s)?

 

[SubSailor]

Also, how old is the battery?
Some batteries can develop a bad cell which will reduce the battery down to 11-12V with corresponding less start current. Had that happen on my Suzuki.
They can also develop an internal short and the battery can self discharge.
Sometimes overnight.
Had that happen on two vehicles I owned.

 

[Ryan Harington]

Hi All

Thanks so much for the input. I thought I would post a reply of the result.

Just before Christmas, the bike stopped running all together. Basically the battery would go flat as quick as 30km worth of riding. Now clearly not an intermittent problem. The sad part is that the bike shop only opened on 4th January again. And the weather in Sunny Cape Town South Africa has been SO good!!

The stator coil was faulty. It started burning and is why it caused to charge only now and again. It eventually got to the point where it was not only charging but draining the battery after I charged it with an Optimate. Hence the battery running down so fast in the end.

They are repairing it and I should have the bike back this week.

 

[rocco787]

Hey Ryan...Glad I ran across your post...Im having the same problems with my 2005 RC.
Asked around a bit thought it might be the voltage rectifier...I am about to take it to the shop...I'll make sure they test the stator coil.

 

[jaewan76]

I have the same problem with my Honda. What I did is start the bike, let it run then disconnect positive terminal. When I did that, the bike shut off letting me know that is not the battery but something else. The nike should run with out the battery, Now at least I Know where to go from here. its that simple.

 

[jaewan76]

But also I need to find out what the problem is. Is it the alternator? Stator? or R/R? it is an 89 600. Any suggestions? I heard you are not supposed to get jumps from a car. is that so? I did that many many times.

 

[kewjr]

OK, Just found out all my electrical trouble was from a bad battery got a ytz14s and cured all the gremlins. Once summer heat kicks in, shows how good your battery is. Speedo went out FI light was coming on. Thing was running funky as heck.:rant: Replace battery like clock work every two and a half years with 12s battery. Will see how long 14s lasts

 

[rocco787]

OK, Just found out all my electrical trouble was from a bad battery got a ytz14s and cured all the gremlins. Once summer heat kicks in, shows how good your battery is. Speedo went out FI light was coming on. Thing was running funky as heck.:rant: Replace battery like clock work every two and a half years with 12s battery. Will see how long 14s lasts

Yep...wish i would have tried that first. So now...$600 later...i have a new battery and no starting problems.
At least now its dyno-tuned and runnin sweet.

 

[zerogara]

This has evolved into a very confusing thread as to who had the problem and who were offering solutions and tests. Both of you guys seem to have had battery issues, the original poster was claiming to have a new battery and electrical problems.

 

[CityTurbo]

im having this exact problem with my 954... i charge my battery every 4-5 days for last 3 weeks.

i can feel the power decreasing every time i ride, stays strong for 1-2 days then slower startup, different idle, less hp, headlight dims with blinkers on (noticeable at night).

will try a new battery first.