Triumphrat

losangeles_S4 · 06-02-2007, 03:13 PM

Somewhat bizarre starting problem. I searched the archives but couldn't find anything appropriate to this problem.

Checked battery voltage and it seems to be fine (12.3V) but put it on the battery tender anyway this morning.

All lights come on correctly no check engine light or other problems. Basically when you press the starter button nothing happens. After a few tries the bike will start up. Seems to need a little gas to get going, never starts right up.

Bike is basically stock with a Scorpion exhaust.

Any suggestions? I've always been able to eventually get the bike to start but I fear in the future it may leave me stranded.

06-02-2007, 04:18 PM

Seems a bit odd for a 5-year-old bike in a dry climate, but it definitely sounds like the symptoms I had from dirty electrical contacts inside the starter button assembly.

Try *very* carefully taking apart the right-hand switchgear, being aware that some parts are spring-loaded & there are tiny ball bearings at the end of some of the springs. (Yes, I found all of the pieces eventually. Yes, I spent a lot of time doing so. :hammer: )

Once it's apart, clean the electrical contacts with a super-fine emery board or 800ish grit sandpaper & put a layer of dielectric grease on 'em. Put it all back together & prepare for easy starting!

I actually scared myself with this. I was used to putting a lot of pressure on my starter button & wiggling it around to get it to fire, but just barely touching it made the bike start right up after.

Cheers, HTH,
-Kit

losangeles_S4 · 06-02-2007, 04:28 PM

Hmm.. I'll hunt around for some loose connections up there. I agree that it sounds very odd for a 5 year old bike thats been garage stored in a dry climate its entire life.

losangeles_S4 · 06-02-2007, 04:59 PM

Could this have anything to do with it? Have no idea where this plug goes.. found it loose next to the battery... yikes.. Don't see anything that it should plug into.. going to browse thru my manual now I guess..

oldndumb · 06-02-2007, 05:17 PM

Quote:

On 2007-06-02 14:59, losangeles_S4 wrote:
Could this have anything to do with it? Have no idea where this plug goes.. found it loose next to the battery... yikes.. Don't see anything that it should plug into.. going to browse thru my manual now I guess..

Yikes, could it be the Triumph Service Diagnostic Tool multiplug? Yies, I bet it is. :-D

oldndumb · 06-02-2007, 05:26 PM

kitNYC has a good idea about the switch, but before I took it apart I would first use a VOM and check the switch. BTW 12.3V is in the range of 50% to 75% charge, but I don't think that has anything to do with your problem.

losangeles_S4 · 06-02-2007, 05:45 PM

Thanks. That is the diagnostic plug. Just found it on the wiring diagram of my manual. How do I use a Voltmeter (I'm presuming thats what you mean by VOM) to check the starter switch? I pulled the two wires that go into the switch and cleaned their connections. Seems to work a bit better but its really intermitant.

[ This message was edited by: losangeles_S4 on 2007-06-02 15:47 ]

oldndumb · 06-02-2007, 06:06 PM

Quote:

On 2007-06-02 15:45, losangeles_S4 wrote:
Thanks. That is the diagnostic plug. Just found it on the wiring diagram of my manual. How do I use a Voltmeter (I'm presuming thats what you mean by VOM) to check the starter switch? I pulled the two wires that go into the switch and cleaned their connections. Seems to work a bit better but its really intermitant.

The way to check switch operation is by doing a continuity check while operating the switch.

oldndumb · 06-02-2007, 06:08 PM

Quote:

On 2007-06-02 16:06, oldndumb wrote:

Quote:

On 2007-06-02 15:45, losangeles_S4 wrote:
Thanks. That is the diagnostic plug. Just found it on the wiring diagram of my manual. How do I use a Voltmeter (I'm presuming thats what you mean by VOM) to check the starter switch? I pulled the two wires that go into the switch and cleaned their connections. Seems to work a bit better but its really intermitant.

The way to check switch operation is by doing a continuity check while operating the switch.

I'm assuming you know not to do a continuity check with battery power on the switch.

losangeles_S4 · 06-02-2007, 06:47 PM

Thanks.. I'll go disconnect the battery and test the switch..