Scrambler 400 X - Intermittently Won't Start

[dano400x]

I've had my bike since February and have put just under 600 miles on it thus far. In recent weeks I've had two occasions when the bike would not start. In each case it was after riding, then the bike sitting for about an hour and a half. I put the key in the ignition and get some crazy dashboard behavior followed by it going DEAD. No signs of electrical life whatsoever. The first time it happened, I waited a few minutes and tried again and it fired right up per usual. Today, I had this happen again under similar circumstances. This time, it did not fire up after waiting a few minutes. I took the seat off and checked to make sure all the fuses were fine, which they were. I put the seat back on, key in, and it came back on electrically but did not have enough power to turn over the bike. So I shut it off, waited a few minutes, then tried again and this time it was able to turn over the engine and start. It seems like it might be a low battery but this seems unlikely given the bike is brand new. I do not keep the bike on a trickle charger but perhaps I should start doing that just to make sure the battery is topped off. Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this problem.

 

[Vector]

It’s a software problem. An update from your dealer should rectify the situation.

 

[Qship]

Also, it appears you don't ride it a lot, so the battery may be weak from sitting idle. A battery tender would be a good idea.
As Vector stated, I would have it checked by your dealer first for any issues. It's still under warranty.

 

[CarlS]

I agree with both Vector and Q. These modern electronics require a fully charged battery. Also make sure your battery terminals are tight.

 

[dano400x]

I know that modern cars are more battery dependent than they used to be. I hadn’t really considered the possibility of this same thing happening with motorcycles but it makes sense. Even this relatively low tech bike has a computer with some ride modes and other functions. I’m keeping it on a trickle charger now. I’ll report back on the results of that after a little testing.

 

[atomsplitter]

Putting it on a trickle charger is a good idea. I tried firing up my Thruxton yesterday (after a month of no starts) and it lit up like normal, but didn't have enough battery juice to crank the bike. Put the trickle charger on it and today it's bueno. Had my T-120 do the same about 3 weeks ago. Batteries don't take long to lose voltage in hot weather.

 

[Greyfell]

Batteries don't take long to lose voltage in hot weather.

People seem to think batteries only have trouble in cold weather. It is true engines are harder to crank-over when cold. BUT, high temps are absolutely battery killers!

I worked with backup generators, from 300KW to 1+ MW (megawatt), for 10 years + for AT&T [I spent 42 years with AT&T, and the last years were in power]. Despite what some people say about AT&T, they cared about keeping the network/system running in spite of surrounding outages. Batteries were used to smooth out the variables of commercial power, so the enduser didn't year or notice those fluctuations. Each of the backup generators had from 2 to 8 car-style marine batteries to get the generator running. I learned to take care of them and change them (imagine lugging 45-50 pounds, 100-110 Kg) from the truck to the engine room and installing them in a series/parallel) configuration [24 volts starting power with up to 3200 cold cranking amps]. And I learned why a single brand of battery was preferred.
I won't buy another brand for my vehicles!

 

[CarlS]

Putting it on a trickle charger is a good idea. I tried firing up my Thruxton yesterday (after a month of no starts) and it lit up like normal, but didn't have enough battery juice to crank the bike. Put the trickle charger on it and today it's bueno. Had my T-120 do the same about 3 weeks ago. Batteries don't take long to lose voltage in hot weather.

With modern cars and motorcycles, there is always a drain on the battery.

 

[Greyfell]

I have recently learned that Optima Batteries have an orange-top line for powersports/motorcycles. They are lithium batteries made to Optima's well-won standards of excellence. For instance, here is their suggestion for my 1995 Thunderbird: Optima Orange Top

 

[atomsplitter]

I have recently learned that Optima Batteries have an orange-top line for powersports/motorcycles. They are lithium batteries made to Optima's well-won standards of excellence. For instance, here is their suggestion for my 1995 Thunderbird: Optima Orange Top

Usually lithiums require a slightly higher voltage to charge than lead-acid batteries. The charging system on older bikes may not be up to the standard for adequate full charge of a Li-OH battery. Newer bikes (like my 2022 RS Speedy) come standard with a lithium battery and its voltage regulator is setup to fully charge it.

 

[CarlS]

From experience, when a lithium battery goes dead, it does so suddenly without warning.

 

[dano400x]

Been keeping the bike on the trickle charger when not riding and have not experienced any issues with the bike not starting. This seems to have corrected my problem. Thanks for the good advice and feedback.

 

[CarlS]

Been keeping the bike on the trickle charger when not riding and have not experienced any issues with the bike not starting. This seems to have corrected my problem. Thanks for the good advice and feedback.

Glad to learn that your problem is resolved. Thanks for letting us know.

 

[dano400x]

Following up on this thread: I continue to keep my bike on the trickle charger in the garage between rides and have experienced no further issues with failure to start after riding. I'm inclined to believe that this bike does not generate enough power to maintain a consistent battery charge under the conditions that I often ride it. My pattern over the summer was short, daily commuter trips consisting of maybe 30 minutes total requiring two starts (there and back). Perhaps if my rides were longer, the bike would be able to top off the charge. As it sits now, I think it takes more to start than it gains back in a 15 minute ride. Over time this eventually results in an undercharged battery and the problems I was experiencing, without the help of supplemental charging.

 

[CarlS]

Following up on this thread: I continue to keep my bike on the trickle charger in the garage between rides and have experienced no further issues with failure to start after riding. I'm inclined to believe that this bike does not generate enough power to maintain a consistent battery charge under the conditions that I often ride it. My pattern over the summer was short, daily commuter trips consisting of maybe 30 minutes total requiring two starts (there and back). Perhaps if my rides were longer, the bike would be able to top off the charge. As it sits now, I think it takes more to start than it gains back in a 15 minute ride. Over time this eventually results in an undercharged battery and the problems I was experiencing, without the help of supplemental charging.

Thanks for the follow up. I am glad the trickle charger solved the problem.

 

[sikatri]

Sounds like you hit on something. I’ve been keeping my Thruxton on a trickle charger when not in use. Did the same for one of my cars that gets driven less often. Before it went through batteries fairly quickly. Seems to help keeping batteries topped off.