Ok, I have an 02 883R. I am fairly clueless with the electrical side of the bike, so bear with me. Got on it to head to work this morning, put the key in hit start and the bike made a "click" sound like it does when it starts but nothing happens, literally nothing, the starter does not fire repeatedly, no spark, nothing. At this point, there are no lights on my display, no headlight, zilch.

So, what do you guys think...dead battery, short, starter took a crap???

Thanks in advance!!

 

check voltage at battery with voltmeter to determine charge, if its hot, then check and retighten all four connetions. Be sure and check for corrossion. Get back to us with results.

 

If you don't have lights, it's not the starter. First thing to check is the battery.

 

Since I don't know what I'm doing...I borrowed a multimeter, will that work, and what should it be set on (there are lots of settings and writing that makes no sense to me). What are the 4 connections, thought there was 2.

 

Set multimeter to read up to 20 volts. touch battery ground with black probe and positive terminal with red probe and take reading. the 4 connection points are both ends of each battery cable. See if there is any corrosion and that they are tight and not frayed.

 

Well, different brands work different but I'll make a stab at it. The black lead goes in the hole that's black or green and/or marked Gnd. The red lead should go in the hole marked VDC or volts. Setting on the meter should be DC Volts and if there is a "range" setting it should be set to 20 or higher. A good battery should measure 12+ volts with the key turned off.

 

Thanks guys, the range issue was my main problem. I assume that the V~ is AC voltage and the V--- is DC? And both ends of the cable, duh. If battery related, it is prob dead right?? Not something I can charge back up. Last think I need right now is having to drop 150 bucks on a new battery.

 

1 - How old is the battery?
2 - Do you keep it on a tender when the bike isn't being used?

If the ans. to #1 is 3 or more years and the ans. to #2 is NO, then you likely need a new battery.

 

Correct

 

I'm guessing that it's the original battery, and it's just time to replace it since it was giving you the clicking from starter. However, it could just need a good charge. My OEM battery finally gave out on me last week, (9.5 years of riding), which is really good. Oh, and the new battery from the stealer is only like $98 I think is what I paid.