After a 25 mile ride(all was well) and brief stop, she tried to start (1/2 second) then all went dead. Was able to push start but needed high (4000) rpm's to run. After a 1/2 mile up a slight incline she would idle but not take fuel (engine sounded fine at idle). Also the high beam and side stand indicators were flickering. 2000 Magna.
Help, I am going to get a trailer and pick her up.
Dan that sounds like a electrical demon I believe. I hope it turns out to be something easy and simple to find and fix.
I would check the fuse block and such and also have the ignition module checked.
Keep us informed.
yep, check the simple stuff first like tight battery connections and ground wire.
Curtis
Charged the battery, and tried to start her again. Headlight is strong, as well as all inidcator lights. When I hit the starter, all I get is a whirring sound. This is not the same sound as a starter bendix or clutch ( or whatever it is called). I tried to rock the bike in gear but that didn't work either.
Glad you are back Greg. I may need a wrench session in San Antonio. The fuses are next, if I can find them!!!
Dan
I would be very suspect of the battery I had some gremlins and it turned out to be the battery so if you have a fresh one maybe a friends try it. I had problems with mine would start ok rode for a while went to take on gas and she would just spin over and not start turned out to be the battery screwy the way it works...... Even your fully charged battery maybe bad just can not take the load or something.... Hope you find it !!!!! Oh and the fuses are under the left cover as you sit on the bike.....
I left the battery tender on for 24 hours, even though it showed a green light (fully charged) yessterday afternoon. When I got home tonight, it started right up and ran fine. I checked fuses and battery ground just in case and all were OK.
So, do I need a new battery? The one I have came with the bike a year and a half ago, so I have no idea how old it is. (I did add water yesterday before charging) If I do need one, what kind and brand do you recommend and who has the best prices (I thought we had a post on batteries, but I can't find it)?
If it is the battery, it is interesting to know it can cause so much trouble, and push starting may not get you going again!!
I don't know who has the best prices, but IMO you can't do much better than the stock Yuasa.
Curtis
I have been riding with the old battery for the past two nights on short trips. Everything seems OK but not knowing the age of the battery, I am going to replace it tonight. Bought a Yuasa at Wing Things since they had the best price, 5% MOOT discount, and here in San Antonio, so I saved on shipping. Very nice folks.
Anyway my question remains, why was I not able to keep bike running after push starting? It would idle but not take throttle and lights flickered. On a car, the alternator provides ample power once the vehicle is running. Does the charging system on a motorcycle not provide enough juice to keep her running? Or did I have another gremlin that has gone away?
Dan my 96 Magna had the battery die and it would not start PERIOD if I pushed it! I could jump it and it would start and run but not for long.
I would have thought the generator/altenator would keep it running like a car but my experience it did not. I must admit I have not dug into the charging system on a Magna so I can say for sure on the parameters.
I replaced my battery and voila it ran like it was new!!!!
Thanks, Greg. I was never too worried about the battery going out when I was away from home. Figured I could just push start (like a car) and drive home. However, based on both our expierences and one other post I saw, I don't think that the charging system alone will get you home .
Anyway I bought a new battery and plan on testing it regularly to make sure it stays strong. Sure hope that is the end of my problem.
Being an electronic igniton it relies on the batt. Charging system just peaks the batt anyhow with the new battery you should be OK heheheh