happeeekid

I hope someone can help me with this before I take the bike to the shop. I have a 2003 954 that won't start. The battery has juice and the headlights and cluster light up, and the FI works but it just won't ignite. The engine turns and then goes to that grinding noise that happens when you try to start a bike with a dead battery, however the battery is fully charged because it just came off a tender (it is an old/used battery though).

I bought this 954 September 2005 with 1200 miles on it, and I rode it for about 300 miles with no issues whatsoever before I stopped for the season. The bike stays outside under a cover, but I didn't disconnect the battery since I was planning to ride it throughout the off-season. I ended up bring pretty busy and only went back once to start the bike and let it run, at which point it was a perfect and strong start.

I went back in April to take the bike out, and there was no juice. I figured it was just a messed up battery, so I took it out and put it on a Tender at home, and I saw that it was sulfated (discharged to the point of permanent damage). After that, I borrowed a friend's battery from his recently parted 929 and put it on the tender, and that charged up fine. However when I connected the battery to the 954, the lights and everything came on, FI initiated and all that but it would try to turn, then grind. Then after a few times, it just grinds like the battery was dead, when in fact there is enough power since all the lights were on bright.

Does anyone have any idea what this could be? I replaced the rectifier/regulator and the same problem still occured. Could it be stator related? Anything would help, thanks.

955iDisastar

replace the battery, a battery can have 12v BUT have low cold cranking amperage (CCA). I know you probably wont believe me but lights dont need much amperage, your starter does.

happeeekid

I believe it, I'm considering getting a new battery too. I also read some stuff about gas going bad if the bike just sits there, I'm thinking of syphoning the gas and replacing it. Thanks for the input though I appreciate it.

FrankieG

YUP!!!! That all it likely is...Same thing happened in my 954 and my 929 new batteries are wonderful!!!!:YEAH :YEAH