Hi,

The other day I went to start up my 2003 XT 600E after a few months inactivity. I have been charging the battery every now and then. Before starting I checked its voltage - about 12.5v

The engine turned over a few times, without catching, then died, just making a clicking noise. After a few moments I tried again and the engine turned over as before, then the starter started dying as though the battery was out of charge. When I released the starter button the starter motor continued to try to crank the engine, before dying altogether.

I checked the battery and it had become completely discharged (in a few seconds). I recharged the battery off the bike overnight. When I tried to put the battery back in it sparked at the terminal and started cranking the starter motor even though I was not pushing the starter button, so I removed the battery again.

I figured that there must be a short somewhere in the system and wondered if my solenoid was knackered. I removed it from the bike and put twelve volts through it and it seemed to work OK. When I put it back on the bike - nothing. It's as though the switch is sticky and gets stuck in either the on position or the off position.

I'm not very good at electrics and wondered if anyone had encountered something similar or could shed a little light? New solenoids are £40! Many thanks in advance!

Matt

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