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2012 Bonneville T100 problems starting

1.9K views 7 replies 4 participants last post by  LIRider  
#1 ·
The worst feeling, the weather starts feeling perfect, so to fire up the Bonneville, and hear nothing but a click.

For context, this has happened on and off for a few months, on two different batteries. Bike is always hooked up to a tender, so I just can’t imagine it being a battery issue. I’ll turn the ignition on, instrument panel will do everything it should, fuel pump will prime, and then when I hit the starter I will just get a click, and then the instrument panel will start all over again, and the fuel pump will prime again. After a few tries (sometime up to 10-15 attempts) it will fire right up. I’ve never been not able to get it started eventually, and never had to have it jumped. I’m not too mechanically inclined, maybe just enough to break something. But my guy tells me it’s either the starter, solenoid, or a relay? Anyone have any thoughts on what could be causing this? Thanks!
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#2 ·
Having 2 untested batteries is not a great reason to rule out the battery . If there's no place that can properly test the batteries , then I'd suggest getting your
hands on a multi-meter . Attach the leads ( of the multi-meter, set to DC volts) to the battery and notice the voltage , turn ignition on and note the voltage and
then see what the voltage drops to while pressing the starter button , if it drops under 10v it's what I'd call an iffy battery . A set of jumper cables attached to a car battery ( do not have the car running) and see if it starts . If it does you know the problem .
This all is assuming you have clean and tight battery cable (and terminals) . Keep us informed. Peter
 
#3 ·
Agreed, it's probably an iffy battery. Triumph doesn't make it any easier, these bikes do not tolerate even a slightly worn battery. You can do the "diode mod" and make the bike more dependable when your battery is on the way out, but it'll just serve to give you a few more months of use from a dying battery.

My experience on my blog: Fixing Triumph Intermittent Start Issue
Or just jump straight to the triumphrat post: https://www.triumphrat.net/2003920040-post428.html
 
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#4 ·
The worst feeling, the weather starts feeling perfect, so to fire up the Bonneville, and hear nothing but a click.

For context, this has happened on and off for a few months, on two different batteries. Bike is always hooked up to a tender, so I just can’t imagine it being a battery issue. I’ll turn the ignition on, instrument panel will do everything it should, fuel pump will prime, and then when I hit the starter I will just get a click, and then the instrument panel will start all over again, and the fuel pump will prime again. After a few tries (sometime up to 10-15 attempts) it will fire right up. I’ve never been not able to get it started eventually, and never had to have it jumped. I’m not too mechanically inclined, maybe just enough to break something. But my guy tells me it’s either the starter, solenoid, or a relay? Anyone have any thoughts on what could be causing this? Thanks!

Yep, sounds like the "click of death". There is a fix about it here on the forums,
I'll try to find it. But you will need to do some basic diagnostics with a multi-meter.
 
#5 ·
Yep, sounds like the "click of death". There is a fix about it here on the forums,
I'll try to find it. But you will need to do some basic diagnostics with a multi-meter.
I’m assuming the fix couldn’t be too terribly complicated, I just don’t know where to start looking. I don’t want to completely rule out battery issues, but this has happened with two brand new Yuasa batteries. It’s also tough to diagnose because it’s intermittent. It might not happen for 2 weeks, and then it’ll happen all of a sudden.
 
#7 ·
I literally linked to the post with the diode mod instructions in detail. It's not a difficult fix if you know how to solder.
 
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#8 ·
Not sure how I missed your previous post.
Thanks to you and everyone else who puts this info out there.

BTW- I have a 2014 T-100, all stock and just getting to the 12k mark now.
Up until now the bike has been flawless for me, I'm the second owner and took it over last May with less 3k miles on it. I will be laying the bike up for the winter, so next spring might be a good time to do this mod when I do the valves