Stuck starter relay. Smoke/Mist from Battery? Hot Contacts...

[Qdude]

Just searched for "Starter Stuck" and got a few threads that helped...

I had low voltage on the battery for sure (I will probably need a new one on this bike I have had for only one week, history unconfirmable). The bike acted as if the battery was too weak to rool the started, so I compression started it, apparently with the starter stuck on and engaged. I am hyper sensitive of noises on the bike right now and I thought I heard some extra noise (starter, presumably) and went straight home, 2-3 miles, in 5th gear for the low rpms.

I got home and the bike kept the headlight connected as the starter tried to crank even with the key out. That is when I saw what I originally thought to be a fire coming from the area around the battery. I immediately grabbed a couple of 10 mls and worked to disconnect the negative terminal. The bolt/nut were very hot.

Any idea why I had Steam from the area around the battery vent? Is there a short in the battery or on the bike? Is it possible that there is alien intervention? Should I call ghostbusters? They never return my calls, f those guys. WT Proverbial F ?!?!...

[Qdude]

Is the relay a serviceable part? Or should I be shopping to replace? I know you can smack it to separate the contacts, but I would rather get in there and clean it up well, unless by consensus that is considered overkill.

[frankenduck]

Take the battery to Oreilly's in U Village and have them test it. Most likely it is shot.  Replacement battery advice here: Battery recommendations

I've heard of people taking the relay apart and cleaning it up but I've never had a stuck one (despite a few low batteries now and then.)

If you can wait until Thursday when I'm back home I have a good used one.

[pallum]

As I've done on the road you can indeed dismantle the starter relay and clean it up. Have to pry it open which doesn't look too pretty but it works. I'm going on 20k miles using the relay that a low battery stuck ON 2 years ago and no problems so far. (Actually working better than the new one I bought from the dealer in Portland that time which got stuck ON after about 3 starts from a fully charged battery... I accidentally dropped the first one on the ground getting it out of the bike and that was enough to get the contacts unstuck so I just put it back in and kept on riding)

If you're going to salvage it just take some fine grit sandpaper to the contacts so they're nice and smooth.

[Qdude]

Thanx Pallum,

Stroke of luck for me is that I live within 2 miles of Frankenduck. He checked his parts warehouse (garage) and fpund a couple of relays I could have (purchase). I will open up and fix the stuck one (for the experience) and keep it on the shelf for emergency.

Cheers.

[pallum]

I will open up and fix the stuck one (for the experience) and keep it on the shelf for emergency.

Exactly what I did. I keep it in my "leaving the state" carry along bag

[Qdude]

Under the tank in the covered box in the front right corner I found a 75A 12V BOSCH Relay with contacts that were no longer stuck together, but scarred. I will get a battery tomorrow, if mine when tested proves to be comprimised.

I have already removed the stereo the PO put in that was hooked straight up to the battery... Ultimately it was my fault for not checking, but the damn thing had been off but powered up (led display doing its thing) overnight...