Intermittent starting fault

[MrB1967]

I hate intermittent electrical faults...

My 2014 SE refused to start last week; turned on, bike did it's regular routine with dial sweeps, screen, TES etc. all good.

When I pressed the starter everything went off.

No dash, no clicks, nothing. As though the fuse had blown.

I checked the battery, 12.94 volts. Removed the main fuse, sound. Connections clean.

Put it back togther and it started up... TES took an age to complete the check and the clock reset the time to 0.00 hrs.

I've had it on a tender for a few days and just tried again, with similar results!

Battery (less than a year old) is still showing 12.94v, bike has started fine again after removal of main fuse.

One thing;  I put the tender back on and it (a CTEK model XS 0.8) went it back to stage 2 charging. It was sat at a happy green stage 5 before I tried starting the bike today.

I suspect I might have a sticky starter solenoid but I'm no electrician and don't really know where to start with it.

Why would taking the main fuse out allow it to start again?

The bike has been used fairly regularly since March, decent long runs too and has been faultless until now.

Could somebody perhaps help me out with a steer? Maybe someone else has had a similar gremlin.

Thanks very much in advance!

[trophied]

I had a similar problem on my 2013 as did at least one other member and it turned out to be a wire that had pulled out of the main connector buried down in front of the engine.  My instruments never went black, just wouldn't start.  Jumping the starter relay would work every time because the wire that had come loose from the connector was from the starter switch.  If it does it again you might try jumping the starter relay to make sure it is something else.  If you have trouble diagnosing it, be sure to open communication with Triumph so it is documented in case it happens to be something that needs an expensive part and a lot of dismantling to fix.  You may, just MAY be able to get Triumph to do a "good will" gesture and get it fixed for you even though it is out of warranty.  They did that on the only two instances I know of for the problem noted above.  I'm sure coconut and digital as well as some others will chime in with some detailed diagnostic procedures to find the problem.  You're on the most knowledgeable forum there is to help you correct your issue, with people that can find and or fix problems the dealers sometimes can't make heads or tails of.

[MrB1967]

Thanks for that, I'm praying to Edward Turner that it's just a dislodged connection.

When I pull the main fuse, is that functionally the same as juming the solenoid then? If I can convince myself it will keep me mobile I'll be able to run some blood bike shifts this week. If not, I'll have to pass..

I'll call my local dealer tomorrow, maybe they have come across this before.

Hopefully it's an easy fix!

You are correct re. this forum. It's a fabulous place with amazing people contributing.

Thanks once again, much appreciated.

[Coconut]

Hi MrB1967,

First things first - as per the scrolling message below -
Have you had the Ignition Switch Wiiring Safety Recall Inspection carried out ?

In some cases, where the Ignition Switch wiring is not routed correctly the wiring,
and / or its connections can be damaged, which can include the Starter button wires
as mentioned by trophied below.

There are a number of other possible causes.  There's quiet a comprehensive list of things
that can be checked, detailed and with Links to further information, within this Topic :

HOW TO : Check the most common faults & issues. Page 2 ( E-O )

This extensive Topic is in Alphabetical Order of Subjects, and is split over 3 "Pages".

The above Link will direct you to Page 2 ( E- O ) - Scroll down to "E" and "Engine - Won't Start

One of the simplest to fix ( so check first ! ) is the two Spade terminal connections at the Starter Solenoid.

The Starter Solenoid is just forward of the Main Battery, and while not easy to access
without some dismantling of Panels, you should be able to see enough
to tell whether the connectors are secure.

Let us know how you get on. 

Cheers 

[MrB1967]

Evening Coconut,

That's brilliant, I shall get in touch with the dealer tomorrow.

I'd not seen the recall - I guess I'm a dead cert for some warranty work.

I'll report back in due course.

Best not take the bike out I think. I would hate it to cut out mid corner..

Brilliant forum, thanks very much!

[Coconut]

If the Non starting problem happens again,
KEEP the Starter Button pressed IN
and turn the Handlebars from side to side.

If moving the Handlebars like this causes the Starter Motor to fire up,
then it is almost guaranteed to be the wires being pulled out
of their connector and barely making contact.

If the Starter Motor still does not fire up, it[may] be the problem,
but either way you MUST get the Wiring checked under the Safety Recall,
which a no cost Inspection, and rectification if needed.

Cheers 

[sin_tiger]

I wouldn't worry about the CTek too much. They will do a test cycle every time they are reconnected, sometimes they can take a little longer to move up the scale. They are normally very reliable, I've only had one, quite old 800, burn out amongst the ten or so I've owned.

[MrB1967]

I rang Youles Manchester, my local dealer, this morning and had a talk with them about my starting woes. It turns out they did the recall check back in February when the bike was in for its 20k service. They were of the opinion that the NS issue is very likely related to the harness recall problem and the bike will be in their workshop on Friday for evaluation; the intention being they will look to get Triumph to pick up the bill.

This will only be my third dealing with Youles but so far they have been as good a main dealer as I've ever come across (I know, it's not a high bar) and hopefully this will continue.

I will of course post the outcome of their deliberations ASAP.

Thanks everyone that has helped me with this, very much appreciated. This place is brilliant.