What is the reason for the relay making noise and the motorcycle not starting during startup?
3 Answers
Motorcycle not starting with relay noise during startup can be attributed to the following reasons: insufficient battery power, oxidized or corroded battery terminals causing poor contact, inadequate power supply, or malfunction/damage of the starter motor preventing rotation. Additional information: Circuit issues: If pressing the engine start button only produces the sound of the starter relay without the starter motor turning, it indicates the starter clutch is not engaging. The main problem lies in the circuit of the solenoid not being energized, preventing the solenoid from pulling the clutch into motion, which in turn fails to rotate the starter shaft and start the engine. Engine issues: If you have relevant knowledge, you can short-circuit the red power terminal on the starter to the starter housing. If the starter spins freely, it confirms the starter itself is functional, and the issue lies with the solenoid not working. Relay issues: If directly connecting the relay wires allows the starter to operate, this indicates a problem with the relay.
When the motorcycle makes a clicking sound from the relay but fails to start, I believe it's mostly due to a dead battery. For instance, when the battery is aged or insufficiently charged, it may still power the relay to produce a clicking sound, but the current is too weak to engage the starter motor. Additionally, the relay contacts might be oxidized or stuck, causing poor circuit connectivity, or the starter motor itself could be jammed, like gears being too worn to turn. Checking is simple: use a multimeter to measure if the battery voltage is below 12V, then jiggle the terminals to ensure they're not loose. If you can't handle it yourself, don't force it—head to a repair shop quickly for a fast diagnosis. To prevent such issues, avoid leaving the motorcycle unused for long periods; ride it regularly to keep the battery from draining. This is a common problem, and early detection and repair can prevent bigger hassles.
I've encountered this situation before too, where you turn the key and hear the relay click but the engine doesn't crank. It's mostly likely a drained battery, especially common in winter or after leaving the bike parked for weeks. It could also be poor contact in the starter motor circuit, like corroded or loose terminal connections. A quick fix is to try jump-starting it - if that works, it's a battery issue; if not, you'll need to check if the relay is faulty or the starter motor is bad. When riding, pay attention to sounds - the clicking noise is usually a good sign, but if the engine doesn't turn over, address it promptly. I always carry a portable jump starter as backup to avoid getting stranded.
