[Porkchop]

Hello Boys,
Here's the trouble: Turn the key- lights come on and everything looks normal. Hit the ignition switch to the 'On' position, push the button and hear a 'click' coming from the battery. Not a constant click. Just once with each press of the button. Nothing happens.
When I use the kickstart to cycle the engine a few times (while holding the decomp switch down) then I try the electronic ignition button, it fires right up.
Am I looking at a dead battery?
Thanks guys. -Porkchop

[Kevin Mahoney]

What do you mean when you say you hit the 'electronic ignition button"?

[Porkchop]

Kevin,
It's the button you press to start the bike. There is the large red button that you switch 'on' and then below that is the thumb button that you press to start the bike. I suppose it's called the ignition button...

Sorry, I'm not looking at a manual , havent' picked it up yet, so I don't have the official wording for these parts.

Thanks - Porkchop

[Kevin Mahoney]

That particular button actuates the Electric Starter motor. Your symptoms may be consistent with a bad Starter relay or solenoid. Found in the left hand tool box.

[Porkchop]

Is this common? I only have 1k miles on it. I assume that if it is one of those things that the warranty should cover it. It's pretty frustrating to have this happen so soon in the life of the bike. Thanks for your help- PC

[ace.cafe]

First thing I'd do is to check the battery terminals and clean them anyway, even if they look good.
This type of behavior is very common with some corrosion in the battery terminals, causing poor electricity transfer to the starter.
Even if they look good, the corrosion could be limited to just between the terminals and the connections, and you might not see it without taking them off. Once they're off, you should clean them anyway with a little bit of wire brushing.

If that's not the problem, then you can look further, but corroded terminals or a low battery could cause the problem.

[Kevin Mahoney]

This is not an uncommon occurance
.

[Porkchop]

Just went out, checked and cleaned all the connections. No corrosion on any connections apparent, but I cleaned them anyway. Still no joy. I'm headed to the battery shop to have them test the batt. (dealership where I got the bike said the batt. was new). Who knows, perhaps just a bad batt) If that's not it, I'll have to assume its the starter or solenoid.
By the way, it's an 07 Military. New from the dealership.
Thanks for the input, guys! I'll report back in when I get back from the batt shop.

[Porkchop]

Battery checked out ok on all points at the Batt. shop. Full charge.
So now I'll have to assume its starter or solenoid. I'll bring it into the shop tomorrow to have them take a look-see. I'll report in once I get back from the shop.
Thanks -PC

[Slider]

This is not an uncommon occurance.

Corrosion build-up? Or the starter or solenoid dying?

[ace.cafe]

At the risk of sounding like a stodgy old curmudgeon and inveterate Luddite, I'll say this.

A Royal Enfield should be kick-started, in the manner in which God and the Queen intended.

Their emissary, the great Joseph Lucas(Prince of Darkness) warned us about the use of such gadgets of the electrical nature.
It is at our own peril that we dabble with the use of such evil devices as a "thumb starter", when the correct implement is readily available within easy reach of our right foot.

 

[Prairie Hunter]

I've run into something like that with mine ('08 Iron Head).  If the bike's cold, the electric start won't do anything unless the motor's at TDC (based on ammeter deflection).  I just figures it was "one of those little quirks"......

[Billy B.]

 I have had that same issue with mine. If it is not at or past TDC the starter wont work. No clicks or ticks, nothing ! I thought it might be a "big single" electric start thing. ( I understood  that some of the old Honda FT500's would kick back and eat starter gears frquently. ) Single cylinder engines of any size can generate serious kickback !
 Granted, I try not to use the button very much. A testosterone thing I guess. But it would be nice to know if this is this a malfunction or by design ?

[Bankerdanny]

I used to have a lot of probs with my ES. The final solution was the sealed battery. I had replaced the battery last year and it still didn't work properly.

Just because the battery checks out doesn't mean that it isn't part of the problem.

When you cleaned the connections did you get the ground connection behind the battery box?

[Porkchop]

When you cleaned the connections did you get the ground connection behind the battery box?
[/quote]

Yes, I made sure to get the ground connection cleaned as well. Still nothing.
I also wanted to double check what the Admin meant by 'not an uncommon occurance'  did you mean corrosion build-up or the starter or solenoid dying?