Rapid Clicking, but won't turn over

[boyse7en]

Hi all,

Yesterday went to start my M600, press the starter button and just get a rapid clicking noise from the starter motor area. Bump started it and, thinking it was a low-charged battery, stuck it on the charger overnight.

Same thing this morning! Battery is only 8 months old, and the bike is used to commute 15miles each way to work every day, so it should be OK. Does it sound like I need a new starter motor? Or should I be checking relays or something? Not much experience of Electrics, so any advice or idiot guides appreciated

[Stafford]

The symptoms you describe are normally caused by either a duff battery or relay, sounds like a duff relay

[Pomp1]

relay or a poor starter motor connection.

[BluprintZ]

If you have a manual for your bike, then you should be able to find and see the parts mentioned above in the electrical section of the manual.
Past experiences with a similar problem (albeit cars), would tell me to check the starter solenoid, which you will find under the battery tray (on carb models, not sure about ie models).
There is a section in the manual on how to test if the solenoid is ok or not.

G : )

[S4R Dude]

Even an 8 month old battery can die so don't ignore it as a possible culprit.

[boyse7en]

Looks like its the starter motor...

With the starter button depressed I get 12.4V at the starter motor terminal but no action
Tried a car battery +ve to motor terminal, -ve to engine, got sparks but nothing else.

Guess I'll be on the phone tomorrow trying to track one down

[slob]

Have you checked the engine earth strap? behind the rear cylinder on the r/h side, by the breather.

[boyse7en]

Hmm, a new starter motor from Moto Rapido is £290.44, which is, in my opinion, taking the micky.

So looking at sourcing a second-hand one.

[Albie]

Thats disgraceful. Mind you they wanted £240 for a tail tidy for my m1100 at one dealer I wont name. At least yours has bits in it of value and mechanical.:thumbsdown::thumbsdown:

[Trent]

Why don't you pull your starter motor out, pull it to bits and check what's wrong with it?

It could be a dead armiture, but it could also be something as simple as worn brushes or one of the magnets has dropped off the outer casing and is causing the armiture to stick.

If the brushes are worn, buy some new ones:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ducati-Denso-Starter-Motor-Brush-Repair-Kit-067050815_W0QQitemZ390058891763QQcmdZViewItemQQptZ UK_Motorcycle_Parts?hash=item5ad15259f3&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C 301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

If the magnet has dropped off, glue it back on with araldite.

If the armiture is shot, you'll need to get another one or as you said a complete secondhand starter motor.