Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Kawasaki Tech
'08 KLR Starter Relay '08 KLR Starter Relay
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Kawasaki Tech Kawasaki Tech Forum - For Questions specific and of interest to Kawasaki riders only.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 5 Jun 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Posts: 72
'08 KLR Starter Relay
I'm in Dakhla (Western Sahara). Bike won't start. Battery new and all lights strong. Starter relay makes a brrrrr sound when trying to start. Cannot find a relay in Dakhla. Lots of 24v relays available but no 12v. There are 12v relays but look totally different with different pin configuration.
Could I somehow quich-fix or bypass the problem to get me to Dakar. Any suggestion will be welcomed.
Cheers
Neville
__________________
Jo’burg to Cairo (And a bit further): KLR 650
Southern Africa (And still going strong): XT660Z Yamaha
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 5 Jun 2011
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,673
You can bypass the relay with a jump lead...

The starter motor is just a 12V motor. If you can get a thick cable from your battery + to the starter motor + then it should start up.

You're ignition will obviously have to be turned on... Don't try this unless you have a few spare 30A "main" fuses and know where to put them. Just in case !!


A 24v relay wont work I don't think. Or, park on a hill and jump start it.
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 5 Jun 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Posts: 72
Thanks Touring Ted

I don't want to risk frying anything trying to solve a relatively small problem. I was wondering if I could simply use another 12v relay and connect the pins with electrical wire? If I mix up the pins can I do other harm?
I can do a downhill start but it's pretty flat around here and loaded the bike is hard to push.
Another option for me is to order a relay from Agadir which would take a few days to get here
__________________
Jo’burg to Cairo (And a bit further): KLR 650
Southern Africa (And still going strong): XT660Z Yamaha
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 6 Jun 2011
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,673
Quote:
Originally Posted by Newbie View Post
Thanks Touring Ted

I don't want to risk frying anything trying to solve a relatively small problem. I was wondering if I could simply use another 12v relay and connect the pins with electrical wire? If I mix up the pins can I do other harm?
I can do a downhill start but it's pretty flat around here and loaded the bike is hard to push.
Another option for me is to order a relay from Agadir which would take a few days to get here
If you take the relay off that you have, it will have numbers on the contacts..

You want another 4 terminal relay (is it a 4 terminal ???) with the same numbers although if it's 12v it should work..

One pin will go to the battery possitive, one pin will go to the starter possitive. One will go to an earth and one will be the "switch" pin which will be connected to your ignition switch.......

Probably.....................

I'm not a very good electrician.
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 6 Jun 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Posts: 72
Hi Touring Ted

Thanks for all your help, the problem is fixed. I went back to the store, bought the other 12v relay which I saw yesterday (also with 4 pins) and trotted around the corner to an auto electrician to show me how to match the pins from the old one to the new one. He wanted to see the bike so I went back to the campsite, push-started the bike and drove it in (Without the fairing and the headlights it's an ugly looking bike).

He plugged the old relay back in and it worked........somehow it must have got unstuck from all the handling. I did ask him to show me how to bypass the relay which he did. Remove the relay, then run a connection between the battery pin and the starter pin and the bike starts as if the relay is in and working. The wire can then be removed and the bike runs normal.

Total cost of the repair $nil (I returned the other relay and got my $3 back). Total aggrevation and stress......just about nil as well

Cheers
Neville
__________________
Jo’burg to Cairo (And a bit further): KLR 650
Southern Africa (And still going strong): XT660Z Yamaha
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 6 Jun 2011
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,673
I do love a happy ending !!

The connection might have just been lose or it jammed...

For $3 though, you should of just stashed the spare relay in your luggage in case !
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 6 Jun 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Posts: 72
I considered keeping the spare relay but running a simple wire the way the sparkie showed me seems a much simpler way to get around the problem if it happens again
__________________
Jo’burg to Cairo (And a bit further): KLR 650
Southern Africa (And still going strong): XT660Z Yamaha
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
where to get 12v for a relay on xt600 bergspre Yamaha Tech 2 30 Apr 2010 13:31
XT600e Starter relay bolla Yamaha Tech 1 18 Oct 2009 20:03
Driving without accu, regler or start` relay sciii Yamaha Tech 1 21 Mar 2008 07:20
NZ - Riding for Relay for Life Kiwirider Australia / New Zealand 4 25 Jan 2007 06:27
starter relay buck Yamaha Tech 6 18 Jan 2005 18:32

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-14
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 05:41.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top