1500LC Won't Start

[justtoolz]

Hello,

I went to start my 2000 LC tonight, and the lights came on when I put the key in the ON position, but I had no fuel pump noise when I flicked the ignition switch, and everything went dead when I pushed the starter button (with a loud click sound from below).

Never had a problem with this bike. The battery is good at 14V (and only 6 months old). I put a VM on the battery and noticed that the battery goes to zero when the key is in the ON position. I assume something is shorting.

If I wait, the lights will come back on, but still no fuel pump sound, and it starts all over again when I try to start it.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Tom

[Motorcycle Forum]

[tj1964]

Sounds like your battery is bad to me. I would take it in and have it load tested.

[Easy Rider]

The battery is good at 14V (and only 6 months old). I put a VM on the battery and noticed that the battery goes to zero when the key is in the ON position. I assume something is shorting.

More likely that something is going OPEN.......like the cable clamps on the battery posts.
Just because the battery is relatively new doesn't mean that it can't be bad.

It is critical that your meter probes are on the actual battery posts and NOT on the clamp or screw that is attached to it.

If you are reading on the actual battery posts and the voltage goes to ZERO when the key is turned on OR when the start button is pushed.......then the battery is bad or fully discharged. Try charging it up and then check your charging voltage when running.

If you are reading 0 on the clamps but 12+ on the posts, then you have a bad connection right there.

A battery store could test the battery but it has to be fully charged first.

Check those clamps.