Yet another starting problem. (sorry so long)

[kcguy]

I have a '92 FZR 600.It has a new regulator,battery and new plugs.If I let it charge overnight with a battery tender,it will start right up in the morning,after I get to work it will start right up after 4 hours for lunch.

I ride it like a mile to lunch,then 4 hours later after work it will not start.It cranks like crazy,light is bright etc.I'll hook a battery jump box to it,boom it will start right up.I have measured with a multi meter,with the bike running it measures about 14 volts @ 3000 RPM,and 12.4 volts when the bike is shut off.

Now once I ride home it will start right up the next morning.To me the short ride at lunch is not getting the battery back up to a full charge.Question is why it needs a full charge to start. I tore it down and checked the valves and they are all in spec,I also cleaned the carbs while I was at it.

Once it is started it runs fine,no flat spots,idles good,revs smoothly to redline.The only thing I can think of is maybe week coils?Just strong enough to start on full battery but not with a slightly lesser charged battery,does that even make sense?

[yamaha_george]

Welcome to the wonderful world of FZR electrics.

The FZR is VERY sensitive to voltage (or at least the amount of current ) required at starting time. I notice you say the lights are very bright when starting , I suggest you turn those off when starting to give the battery a chance.

Have you checked the battery for fluid levels , sedement in the bottom of the battery possibly shorting out one cell ?

For athorough analysis might I suggest you look in the WIKI for V-R trouble shooting and see if that will give the bike aclean bill of health before we go into more bizarre areas of FZR electrics.

[kcguy]

Welcome to the wonderful world of FZR electrics.

The FZR is VERY sensitive to voltage (or at least the amount of current ) required at starting time. I notice you say the lights are very bright when starting , I suggest you turn those off when starting to give the battery a chance.

Have you checked the battery for fluid levels , sedement in the bottom of the battery possibly shorting out one cell ?

For athorough analysis might I suggest you look in the WIKI for V-R trouble shooting and see if that will give the bike aclean bill of health before we go into more bizarre areas of FZR electrics.

Yeah I bought a new battery,and it cranks the hell out of it,thats a good idea about the lights,is there a way to turn them off?Or do I need to make a way?

[yamaha_george]

Welcome to the wonderful world of FZR electrics.

The FZR is VERY sensitive to voltage (or at least the amount of current ) required at starting time. I notice you say the lights are very bright when starting , I suggest you turn those off when starting to give the battery a chance.

Have you checked the battery for fluid levels , sedement in the bottom of the battery possibly shorting out one cell ?

For athorough analysis might I suggest you look in the WIKI for V-R trouble shooting and see if that will give the bike aclean bill of health before we go into more bizarre areas of FZR electrics.

Yeah I bought a new battery,and it cranks the hell out of it,thats a good idea about the lights,is there a way to turn them off?Or do I need to make a way?

Sorry I forgot some american bikes have permanently on lights, one of the American chapter will come in on this.

You can buy a right hand switch gear set up from europe and wire that instead.?

[kcguy]

Thanks I'll try those tests in the flow chart and see what comes up.

[reelrazor]

It is very likely a corrosion issue in the ignition circuits.

Your thinking on the coils being weak is semi accurate...I am betting there is resistance in the wiring getting to them. If the coils were getting bad you would prolly have some high end misfiring and it would likely get worse as the bike heated up.

Check the plug at the TCI box and clean the terminals and connectors if they aren't bright shiny metal...same with the wires to the coils. Unbolt the coils and check the mounting surfaces for corrosion, clean as necessary

[kcguy]

It is very likely a corrosion issue in the ignition circuits.

Your thinking on the coils being weak is semi accurate...I am betting there is resistance in the wiring getting to them. If the coils were getting bad you would prolly have some high end misfiring and it would likely get worse as the bike heated up.

Check the plug at the TCI box and clean the terminals and connectors if they aren't bright shiny metal...same with the wires to the coils. Unbolt the coils and check the mounting surfaces for corrosion, clean as necessary

Sounds like a plan.Thanks for the help.I'll give all this a try,and see what I find.

[kcguy]

It is very likely a corrosion issue in the ignition circuits.

Your thinking on the coils being weak is semi accurate...I am betting there is resistance in the wiring getting to them. If the coils were getting bad you would prolly have some high end misfiring and it would likely get worse as the bike heated up.

Check the plug at the TCI box and clean the terminals and connectors if they aren't bright shiny metal...same with the wires to the coils. Unbolt the coils and check the mounting surfaces for corrosion, clean as necessary

I did what you said,and I think it solved the problem.A couple of terminals on The TCI box looked corroded.I cleaned them along with the other things you mentioned.It seems to be starting much easier,cranked it up a couple times last night without leaving it running long enough to charge up,then it started right up this morning. So I'm hoping the problem is solved, thanks for your help.

[yamaha_george]

Glad its sorted, time to ride :-}

[kcguy]

Yes rode 3 days last week,no starting problems at all.Now we are supposed to have drizzle for the next 4 days here in Kansas city,If anyone can do anything about that I would really appreciate it.

[yamaha_george]

Yes rode 3 days last week,no starting problems at all.Now we are supposed to have drizzle for the next 4 days here in Kansas city,If anyone can do anything about that I would really appreciate it.

If anyone can add West London & SE England to the list 2-3" of rain & 60MPH winds expected
I think I aught to subscribe either to the DIY Hovercraft list or Submarines R us list at the rate it is going Lol

[reelrazor]

I did what you said,and I think it solved the problem.A couple of terminals on The TCI box looked corroded.I cleaned them along with the other things you mentioned.It seems to be starting much easier,cranked it up a couple times last night without leaving it running long enough to charge up,then it started right up this morning. So I'm hoping the problem is solved, thanks for your help.
kcguy
 
 

Yes rode 3 days last week,no starting problems at all.Now we are supposed to have drizzle for the next 4 days here in Kansas city,If anyone can do anything about that I would really appreciate it.

Glad we could help! And happy you are getting riding time in.