bad battery affects idle?

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  • stecz
    #1

    bad battery affects idle?

    problem this morning...

    I was going to ride my bike to work, but have a weird problem...

    The battery was dead, I put a voltmeter on it and it showed 6 volts. The last time I rode it was Sunday and didn't have any problems. I used my charger to jump start it and it started right up. It also showed 13.XX volts at idle.

    But, when I rode off, it wouldn't idle. It didn't seem to be down on power, but when idling, the idle speed would slowly decrease until the engine died. It would then immediately restart (even without a jumpstart), but wouldn't idle.

    On Sunday when I rode, it didn't do this at all.

    Could a bad cell on the battery cause this problem?
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    • earlfor
      Forum LongTimer
      Charter Member
      GSResource Superstar
      Past Site Supporter
      • May 2002
      • 42413
      • off grid cabin 1/24/26 7pm
      #2
      Re: bad battery affects idle?

      Yes, a bad battery, low capacity will cause that problem. The ignition system runs directly from the battery. The charging system replaces energy in the battery. At idle rpm, the charging system does not supply the amperage required to run the engine. (not the same thing as voltage)

      Earl



      Originally posted by stecz
      problem this morning...

      I was going to ride my bike to work, but have a weird problem...

      The battery was dead, I put a voltmeter on it and it showed 6 volts. The last time I rode it was Sunday and didn't have any problems. I used my charger to jump start it and it started right up. It also showed 13.XX volts at idle.

      But, when I rode off, it wouldn't idle. It didn't seem to be down on power, but when idling, the idle speed would slowly decrease until the engine died. It would then immediately restart (even without a jumpstart), but wouldn't idle.

      On Sunday when I rode, it didn't do this at all.

      Could a bad cell on the battery cause this problem?
      Komorebi-The light filtering through the trees.

      I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself than be crowded on a velvet cushion. H.D.T.

        Comment

        • bradleymaynar
          #3
          I'll second what Earl has said. I had a similar problem on my 1100 when I first got it. Buy a new battery and look for a tender (around $20). You should notice an instant difference.

          Brad tt

            Comment

            • stecz
              #4
              Thanks, I'll pick up a battery on the way home. I have a good automatic battery charger that I can use to charge the battery. Hopefully I'll drive it often enough that it will stay charged.


              John

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                • earlfor
                  Forum LongTimer
                  Charter Member
                  GSResource Superstar
                  Past Site Supporter
                  • May 2002
                  • 42413
                  • off grid cabin 1/24/26 7pm
                  #5
                  Do not charge a motorcycle battery at a rate greater than 2 amps. A charge rate of 1 to 1.5 amps is ideal.

                  Earl


                  Originally posted by stecz
                  Thanks, I'll pick up a battery on the way home. I have a good automatic battery charger that I can use to charge the battery. Hopefully I'll drive it often enough that it will stay charged.


                  John
                  Komorebi-The light filtering through the trees.

                  I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself than be crowded on a velvet cushion. H.D.T.

                    Comment

                    • marvinsc
                      Forum LongTimer
                      GSResource Superstar
                      Past Site Supporter
                      Super Site Supporter
                      • Apr 2005
                      • 15396
                      • Murray Kentucky
                      #6
                      Personal Testimony: A Marginal Battery Makes as GS Deliver Marginal Performance! I changed to a Gel Battery and it Felt Like I found a few more horses in the Old Girl! (80GS850G)
                      sigpic2002 KLR650 Ugly but fun!
                      2001 KLR650 too pretty to get dirty

                      Life is a balancing act, enjoy every day, "later" will come sooner than you think. Denying yourself joy now betting you will have health and money to enjoy life later is a bad bet.

                      Where I've been Riding


                        Comment

                        • stecz
                          #7
                          I put a standard energizer battery in and now it idles fine... I guess the battery decided to take a dump after my ride on Sunday...

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