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New battery now nothing works

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by newbike91, Oct 18, 2013.

  1. newbike91

    newbike91 Member

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    So my battery stopped taking a charge so i got a new one, charged it, and hooked it up. Now the bike didn't do anything. I can hear that little click when i turn the key but beyond that not even the horn. Where do i start?
     
  2. ecologito

    ecologito Well-Known Member

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    Do you have the original fuse box? check with a millimeter if the battery is making a solid ground with the frame and go from there.
     
  3. jmilliken

    jmilliken Well-Known Member

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    I'd recommend a multimeter instead of a millimeter :)
     
  4. ecologito

    ecologito Well-Known Member

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    Yeah, that may work better 8O
     
  5. newbike91

    newbike91 Member

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    No I have a new fuse box. And i have an old multimeter but not really sure how to set it up right. The needle does move when i touch one to the battery and the other to a ground if that's what you mean. Also moves when touching the wires that connect to the main fuse. It's like nothing is making it up to the controls. Worked fine before i swapped batteries though.
     
  6. jmilliken

    jmilliken Well-Known Member

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    check your main fuse and other fuses. Set the meter to check continuity and put a probe on each side of each fuse. You very likely could have shorted something that blew a fuse.

    Did you play around with other wiring connections, disconnect TCI or something like that?
     
  7. newbike91

    newbike91 Member

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    No i didn't touch anything else. And i did check fuses they were fine. It's confusing.
     
  8. newbike91

    newbike91 Member

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    No i didn't touch anything else. And i did check fuses they were fine. It's confusing.
     
  9. jmilliken

    jmilliken Well-Known Member

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    you hooked the battery up, right? is the battery putting out voltage?
     
  10. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    REMOVE the battery. Take it to wherever you bought it and have it tested.

    When re-installing it ensure that the ground wire (the one that goes to the frame) is connected to the "-" terminal and that the big wire coming off the starter solenoid is connected to the "+" terminal.

    Is this a stock replacement battery (acid, "wet" cell) or an AGM or other new-tech sealed unit?
     
  11. newbike91

    newbike91 Member

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    It's the acid kind. I filled it and let it sit as per the instructions. And i do get a reading when i touch the terminals.
     
  12. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Does it read 13 volts DC? At least 12.5 VDC?

    Did you charge it at 1A/HR (max) for about 8 ~ 10 hours before using it?

    You still have to charge a brand new battery, and slowly. You can't use an automotive-duty or "quick" charger, the output is too harsh. You need to use a "trickle" charger or low-amp battery charger; anything putting out over 1A is too "hot."

    I'm betting the new battery either isn't fully charged; or you over-charged it and "cooked" it.

    Hence my initial advice; take it back to the place of purchase and have it tested. Or take it to the local auto parts if you bought it online.
     
  13. Polock

    Polock Well-Known Member

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    double check your + and _ , those batteries with reversed terminals are common
     
  14. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Polock is absolutely right, it is COMMON for aftermarket batteries to have the terminals "reversed" in relation to your original battery.

    But let's be sure it's actually properly charged first.
     

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