Battery Keeps Dieing

6496 Views 16 Replies 10 Participants Last post by YFZ450 Blaster Racer, Sep 5, 2006

Voots

Discussion Starter · Sep 4, 2006

Hey all, first post here. I've had my r450 for about a month now, but I only have about 1 tank through it so far (stupid work getting in the way of riding :angry: ) Anyway, my battery has gone dead on me twice already. Luckily, this last time some other riders found me and gave me a tow. So, my question is, do you think it's not charging, or does it keep dying because I do a lot of short rides (10-15 min)?

Also, another question, can this machine be bump started? I tried it while being towed and popping the clutch in 2nd gear, but it wouldn't fire. Is this because of the EFI?

Thanks
Voots

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

SandJunkie

· #2 · Sep 4, 2006

Yes it can be bump started..I know because I bumped my yesterday by mistake...died going down a hill...left the clutch out and it kicked over a couple of seconds later....it WAS a big hill but it can be done....

If your sure it's the battery then I would take it back to the dealer...let them sort it out....if you can... :blink:

Clone

· #3 · Sep 4, 2006

Junkie, that is cool to know about the bump starting. Of course, that is only if the fuel system is relatively primed and ready to go.

I was going to say that maybe the battery never had a full charge from the dealership and your little short rides and little ride time altogether has never given the battery a chance to fully charge. If you have a small trickle charger, putting it on for an hour shouldn't hurt.

AL Elks

· #4 · Sep 4, 2006

Junkie, that is cool to know about the bump starting. Of course, that is only if the fuel system is relatively primed and ready to go.

I was going to say that maybe the battery never had a full charge from the dealership and your little short rides and little ride time altogether has never given the battery a chance to fully charge. If you have a small trickle charger, putting it on for an hour shouldn't hurt.
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I haven’t' tried it but I would bet that it's possible to bump start even if the battery is completely dead and the system is not already primed. You'd have to pull it for a little ways in order to get the flywheel going enough to send enough current to the system but wouldn't it supply enough to run the fuel pump and then start?

I haven't tried it but that's my theory.

OKTRX450R

· #5 · Sep 5, 2006

I would disagree...the first trip on our LTR and my wife drove it up in the camper...when she turned the key on she went to the 3rd position (w/light on), when she turned it off she used the kill and then turned the key back 1 position to the left (still on). It sat in the camper for a week before the trip. When we got there the battery was completely dead. I tried pull starting and nada. I put the battery on a "Battery Tender" and let it charge for a few hours...LTR started right up, went for a ride and cutting out and coughing. I checked everything and could not find a problem. Put it back on the charger (it has a light telling you if the battery still needs to charge and it was on)...left it over night and the next day walla, brand new bike with zero problems.

The exact same scenario occured to a guy we know...he came over to our trailer and complained about his not running...bla, bla, bla...on the charger overnight and zero problems afterward.

Maybe just hours, Junk I think yours bump started because the battery was charged...IMO won't work with a discharged battery. Junk, leave the headling on yours tonight and then try it tomorrow!

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AL Elks

· #6 · Sep 5, 2006

Good to know! Man I was sure it would work because of the charging system. I guess the dead battery puts too much of a drain on it to let it start. Oh well you learn something every day. good think I always carry one of those portable batterys with a compressor and jumper cables in my truck.

By the way if my LTR sits for more than 7 days the battery dies too. Dealer said the battery was good but to be honest that means absolutely nothing. I still think it's the battery. I think I'll take it by Autozone and let them check it.

kidsdad0101

· #7 · Sep 5, 2006

Havent had this problem on my R yet. Happens all the time on my Z. I know how it was screwed up. Sleeved the entire harness, looks good but I think I reset the wire incorrectly in the plugs. However, back to the topic. I have also learned that sometimes the plugs arent seated all the way thusly not letting the battery charge. If you still experience the drain after you recharge the battery, check the plugs from the stator. Insure they are cleaned and all points are touching. Also check and see you have proper contact on the battery terminals. Learned from experience that the wire and snap from it wiggling around.
as always-----.02

Havent had this problem on my R yet. Happens all the time on my Z. I know how it was screwed up. Sleeved the entire harness, looks good but I think I reset the wire incorrectly in the plugs. However, back to the topic. I have also learned that sometimes the plugs arent seated all the way thusly not letting the battery charge. If you still experience the drain after you recharge the battery, check the plugs from the stator. Insure they are cleaned and all points are touching. Also check and see you have proper contact on the battery terminals. Learned from experience that the wire and snap from it wiggling around.
as always-----.02

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Voots

Discussion Starter · #8 · Sep 5, 2006

Thanks for the replies guys. I let it trickle charge for an hour or so and it fired right up again. The first time I charged it I only let it charge for about 20 mins, so it probably didn't have a good charge to begin with. Plus, I work out of town, so the quad sits unused for most of the week. Hopefully this is why it keeps dieing on me. It's just kinda scary, I ride alone quite often. The only reason my LTR isn't still sitting in the creek right now is because luckily the other riders were passing by. Maybe I should spring for the kick start?

Voots

Clone

· #9 · Sep 5, 2006

Maybe I should spring for the kick start?

Voots
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I would spring for a battery tender to maintain the battery the entire time while you are gone. I paid too much for the bike to have to kick the damn thing!

Plus then you have decompression issues as it changes with a kick starter. Probably have to go with RMZ cams and decompressioner

JMO

SandJunkie

· #10 · Sep 5, 2006

Rob, yes your right..I did NOT let it sit overnight with the light on...I was just going over a hill and it stalled on me...so I left the clutch out as I went down the other side for the engine brake effect...and the thing fired back up...
So MY point was that I think if you were on a ride and you stopped...you should be able to bump start the thing...dead from the beginning? Yea I could see where you would need the fuel pump to pressurize the system before it fires...and to do that you would need juice...and so forth and so on...

OKTRX450R

· #11 · Sep 5, 2006

Sorry Junk, I mis-understood...

I agree with Clone...get a battery tender and plug it in when you get home. Your LTR will be ready and waiting when you have time to ride!

LTR MICHAEL

· #12 · Sep 5, 2006

I dont know guys, not to disagree or nothing but I left my switch on for a week with the neutral light on. The Battery was completely dead. I rolled it down a hill in third and she fired right up. Just my .02.

eldog

· #13 · Sep 5, 2006

I dont know guys, not to disagree or nothing but I left my switch on for a week with the neutral light on. The Battery was completely dead. I rolled it down a hill in third and she fired right up. Just my .02.
[/b]

I agree with Michael. Same thing happened to me. I left my key on for a week and a half and I was able to get it started after about 4 tries down the street with a buddy pushing me....

AL Elks

· #14 · Sep 5, 2006

Uh Oh! Maybe my theory was correct after all.

LTR450_#67

· #15 · Sep 5, 2006

I was gonna say... wouldn't bump starting be kinda the same as kicking it over, since if you have a kicker and remove the starter and battery it would be the same concept, right?
my.02 cents

AL Elks

· #16 · Sep 5, 2006

Yep!

YFZ450 Blaster Racer

· #17 · Sep 5, 2006

Looks like i don't need to add anything.

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

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