How'd boys and girls: So I have a 2002 F650 Dakar - 9k miles. Makes a clicking sound, coming from the little round switch by the battery. Thought it must be the side stand switch. Bought a new one - no joy, as they say. I'm in the FL Keys - about 150 miles form a dealer. Not broken on the road, broken at the house. Any ideas on what might be the problem? (Oh, brand new battery.) Thanks.... pclarin@yahoo.com if you want to email.
Yes, brand new - ion jobber. The "click" I hear is from the switch just in front of where the battery sits. Not from the starter.
To get more activity you might consider posting your question in these two threads: Dakar 650 Thread and checking here with Cy about the compatibility of your new Lithium Ion "jobber." Motorcycle Batteries .. AGM, GEL, Wet, Lithium Iron Phosphate
Try holding down on the starter switch before you turn the key to the on position. Then the headlight will stay off.
Battery is fine. Hooked it up to my RT and Vrrrrrrooom! Is the starter relay the round switch that I'm hearing click? It's mounted just between the steering rack and the battery box. Oh, and thanks for everyone's time and thoughts.
I'm not sure where they're mounted but the relay performs the high current switching for the starter which is functioned by the start switch on your bars. Sometimes the high current contacts inside the relay burn out and all you'll hear is clicking at the relay. Same symptom usually applies when you have as dying battery. It should have the main Positive battery lead attached to it.
This problem has been an on again off again problem over the past few months. I'll buy a new relay and see how it goes. I'm about 180 miles from a dealer so $100 for a relay is cheaper than gas to haul it. Many thanks, I'll let you know.. To just add an update I have been talking to the Atlanta BMW folks .... what about a million miles away from Key West and they too think it's the starter relay. I've purchased said item from them and will post results. Again, many thanks for thoughts and help
Installed a new starter relay. Same. A clicking sound from the relay. Sidestand switch is new as well. I hear the fuel pump pressurize with stand up and key on. I guess I'll try and locate all the grounds and see if anything is obvious. Bike only has 9k miles. Adventures in bike starting....
While I don't have a Dakar, or even a BMW, I've had electrical problems on my bike and a dealership located over an hour away. I did the same thing, buy this and then buy that, all with discouraging results. I ended up buying Tracy Martin's book called Motorcycle Electrical Systems. I also bought a multi-meter. Between the two of them, I learned how to diagnose/locate electrical problems. Since you already have a non-running bike, you've got nothing to lose; in addition, the knowledge you gain will increase your bond with your bike.
Thanks. I'm about ready to quit my job and go to the motorcycle technical school just to get this thing going.
