R1100RT Load Relief Relay Clicking

[Docbeemer]

1999 or 1100 RT, well-maintained, load relief relay clicking. Tachometer spikes when ignition key is turned on.

 

Anyone with a similar problem please respond. Thanks in advance. Doc

[dirtrider]

11 hours ago, Docbeemer said:

1999 or 1100 RT, well-maintained, load relief relay clicking. Tachometer spikes when ignition key is turned on.

 

Anyone with a similar problem please respond. Thanks in advance. Doc

Morning   Docbeemer

 

Are you SURE that it is the load relief relay that is clicking & not another relay like the ABS relay? (load relief relay is 2nd relay in from shifter side of motorcycle in the front row)

 

Is the headlight staying on during the relay clicking or is it flashing?  (this is VERY important for us to know)

 

Does the relay clicking cadence line up with something on the motorcycle that is flashing or moving (ie, a dash light flash, or a gauge needle moment, or does the headlight or tail flash with each relay click.

 

We need more info to guide you in finding this problem.  

 

 

[Docbeemer]

Headlight does not light and yes I'm sure it's the load relief relay. No other relay is clicking.

 

oil light comes on as well...looks like a short but what component?

[dirtrider]

2 hours ago, Docbeemer said:

Headlight does not light and yes I'm sure it's the load relief relay. No other relay is clicking.

 

oil light comes on as well...looks like a short but what component?

 

Morning   Docbeemer

 

OK, then we move on, kind of an unusual failure.

 

First thing to try is removing the starter relay to see if the load relief relay clicking stops, 

 

If still clicking then put starter the relay back in then swap the load relief relay with another similar looking relay in the fuse box (does the clicking stop?) 

 

The major things that would cause the load relief relay to click is low system voltage (does your starter crank with key-on when you push the starter button??) A low battery could cause the load relief relay to click as the relay engages then clicks right back off when the headlight load drops the relay trigger voltage below the relay trigger-on voltage threshold.

 

The relay click could also be caused by the  low side of the relay  (that side is pulled low at the the starter solenoid through the small terminal on the starter solenoid). So make sure the small terminal at the starter solenoid is making good clean contact).

 

Verify the above then we hopefully have a direction to follow. 

[Docbeemer]

Battery voltage is 13.2. Relay was swapped and still exhibited the clicking. Black wire on starter solenoid was pulled when the video was shot.

 

[dirtrider]

1 hour ago, Docbeemer said:

Battery voltage is 13.2. Relay was swapped and still exhibited the clicking. Black wire on starter solenoid was pulled when the video was shot.

 

3070E050-7560-4A92-85F1-525FFF2C260D.MOV

Evening  Docbeemer

 

Video won't play for me so try to explain what it showed. 

 

Did you try removing the starter relay as a test? 

 

Will engine crank over when you push the starter button?

[Docbeemer]

Blab wire to solenoid removed

 

engine doesn’t crank with wire attached

 

strange, yes?

starter perhaps?

[dirtrider]

2 hours ago, Docbeemer said:

Blab wire to solenoid removed

 

engine doesn’t crank with wire attached

 

strange, yes?

starter perhaps?

Morning   Docbeemer

 

It does sort of point to the starter (or starter solenoid).

 

So lets test!     (part 1)

 

OK, unplug the black wire from the starter solenoid small terminal.

 

Next, make a small ground wire, or use a small alligator clipped jumper wire to ground that removed black wire (doesn't really matter how but find a way to ground that removed black wire to a good clean engine or chassis ground point) 

 

CAUTION: DO NOT push starter button with that black wire grounded, EVER!!!! 

 

Then turn the ign key to ON then see if your relay clicking stops & the headlight illuminates.  IF the relay clicking stops & the headlight comes on then you have more than likely found the problem initiator.  (something in the starter or starter solenoid)

 

With the black wire grounded, If the relay clicking doesn't stop & the headlight doesn't come on then look for a problem in that black wire between the load relief relay & the starter. 

 

If this info doesn't point a finger then see below___

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Part 2)

 

Now the above info assumes the vehicle system voltage (to the relay) is staying above 10 volts (not just battery voltage but actual system voltage). Battery could be fully charged but current might not be reaching the system due to resistance or poor wire connections.  (one thing to look for here is the generator light flashing in step with the relay clicking)

 

The typical reason a relay will click is that something is intermittently going open in the pull-in coil circuit. Either low voltage to the relay's pull-in coil's (+) side (green wire from ign switch to load relief relay, or something in the ignition switch itself, or high resistance in large red wire connections from battery (+) post TO  ign switch..

 

Or something is going open on the relay's low side circuit (that black wire from the relay to the starter, or internal to the starter/solenoid itself).  

 

Do part 1 here then report back with what you find.  

 

 

 

 

 

[Docbeemer]

Thanks 

give me a day or so and I’ll get back to you

much thanks 

[dirtrider]

1 minute ago, Docbeemer said:

Thanks 

give me a day or so and I’ll get back to you

much thanks 

Morning   Docbeemer

 

No hurry, we will be here for you. 

[Docbeemer]

Ok...

 

grounding solenoid wire doesn’t change anything

 

however, and maybe I missed this the first time  but it seems the other relays are clicking as well..

 

bike haunted?

[dirtrider]

50 minutes ago, Docbeemer said:

Ok...

 

grounding solenoid wire doesn’t change anything

 

however, and maybe I missed this the first time  but it seems the other relays are clicking as well..

 

bike haunted?

Morning   Docbeemer

 

Is the generator light on the dash flashing in cadence with the relay clicking?

 

Now it sounds like your issue is on the relay high (12v) side.

 

With black wire back on the starter, and key-on, try rotating the handlebars back & forth to see if that changes the relay clicking. 

 

Also check the large red wire attachment at the battery's (+) post, try wiggling that with the key on to see if relay clicking changes.

 

Grab the wire bundle at the steering neck & move those around to see if the clicking changes. 

 

If you have a voltmeter or 12v test light try to see what fuses are losing power on & off  in relation to the relay clicking.

 

Possible places for 12v side issues are: at the large red wire to battery (+) post, in the red or green wires at the steering neck zip tie, inside the ignition switch, obviously a intermittent open any of those wires mentioned. 

 

When you grounded that black wire without change that pretty well eliminated the starter.