K11 Owners Group

[1der]

My 1year old Yuasa battery at 12.59 volts won't start my K1100LT. What is the minimum to start the bike? Hate to get another battery but don't want to get stuck someplace. At the volts I have the fuel pump won't come on either. Could I have a bad relay someplace?
1der

[Saltcreek]

I would hook up my battery tender and see if things work with that backup. Others will be along who know more than me. We probably need to know if its cranking hard and not starting or cranking weak. If the fuel pump isn't coming on it could be a switch problem.
_________________
Jim

1994 K1100LT Mystic Red, bfd, 37000 miles, sold
2009 Wilderness Systems Zephyr 155 ST
2002 Litespeed titanium

[Jim]

let's start with the obvious - side stand up? Kill switch center position? Bike in neutral? Clutch in? Hate to do that - but more than one person has been tricked by one of the above....

The kill switch contacts can get dirty - on a few occasions I've had to flip the switch lever back and forth a few times to get a start.

Could be any of the switches - or connectors.

You need to tell us what's happening when you try to start it.
_________________
Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

[Technician]

Check the Kill switch, when this is operated it shuts down the fuel pump as well. the easiest way to determine a faulty switch is to see if you have stop lights as well, if not the you have a fault with the switch.
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Fat Ba***d with a K1100LTse
Squire D18 trailer
Garmin Zumo 660
"Run it round the block to see if the wheels fall off!!!!"

[Off the grid]

Batteries don't go bad at one year when used normally.
You have another problem.
_________________
Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"

[1der]

All the obvious is OK. Just tried it again. 12.59 volts, neutral light is bright NOW and it started. When it won't start, green neutral light is a dull green. Bike has been sitting out in the sun all afternoon- key on, bright green neutral light and started. At what voltage will the bike NOT start? How much lower than 12.59? Could 12.59 be the threshold anything lower won't start? When I got it started alternator was putting out at 13.59+-. Any ideas?

[whyoldbill]

I would have to say it's dirty electrical connections. These bikes are notorious for electrical gremlins. Start with the battery cables and work your way to the starter. Disconnect, clean (and re-connect javascript:emoticon('')) every connector you can find.
Every electrical problem I've encountered on my K has been caused by a dirty/corroded connector.
_________________
'02 - GL1800


The desired effect is what you get when you improve your interplanetary funksmanship - George Clinton

[1der]

Hay.... THANKS for all the replies. I FINALLY got a chance to look at the bike and started at the battery connection. ( which I knew were good) What I found was a bad ground wire going to the electronic connector on top of the battery. Just what is that thing? Ran the machine around town, shut it off a few times and it started great(well started) Going to work the IRL at Mid-Ohio this weekend so I'll give the bike a workout next week. Thanks everyone, for the help.
1der

[Jim]

good to know you got this far with it.

I don't know if Yuasa ever got their problem fixed or not - I hope they did. For a few years, Yuasa batteries were known to drop dead at any age. Good luck with yours. Panasonic makes a good battery for our bikes.
_________________
Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."