'98 zx7r starting problem

[tanktime]

Hello everyone, my problem is this. I have a '98 zx7r ninja which starts fine cold. However, when I let it run to the point where it is around normal orperating temperature and shut it off, it doesn't want to start after that. For instance, I started it yesterday and let it run for a while then shut it off and I wasn't able to start it again until this morning. The battery is new, the fuses are all good and when the bike is cold, it starts up just fine. But when it warms up, the starter doesn't turn over at all. I can hear what I think is a single click coming from the starter relay, but thats it. If anybody could please help me in letting me know where to start looking for the problem or how to find the problem I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks

[Ericthejet]

I would double check the condition of the battery despite being new.

[Superfly]

Sounds like a charging system problem to me. The click tends to mean that the battery does not have enough juice to turn over the starter, maybe because the charging system went down, and you are running off the power of the battery, as you let the bike sit, the battery's voltage goes up to the point where you can start the bike.

Get a voltage meter, put it on the terminals of the battery, take a reading (12.5 volts plus or minus), start the bike, and then put the meter back on the terminals of the battery. You should have between 13.7 - 14.5 volts.

Or the starter is going out.

[tanktime]

thanks for the repies. I will be getting a volt meter within the next day or so to test the battery. until then any and all suggestions are welcome!!!

[tanktime]

ok, so I checked the battery and the voltage was a little over 12.0 (around 12.1 to 12.2) and I just started it up and after I shut the bike off the battery was fully charged (12.5v). Also while it was running I checked the voltage from the alternator and at idle it was around 13.0 and when I would rev it to around 3000 rpm it went up to around 14.0. So according to this I am assuming that the charging system on the bike works, however once again after it got up to normal operating temperature the bike would not start after I shut it off. So now I'm thinking it's the starter??? Also after seeing that the voltage stayed up I checked the starter for any visual signs of wear and the wire coming from the starter that goes to the starter relay was sliced open in one spot exposing the wires. Would this have any affect on the starter after the bike warms up? Once again, any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[Superfly]

Do any of the Ninja's suffer from Vapor Lock?

[tanktime]

I'm sure they could, however I don't think that would prevent the starter from turning over. But then again, I could be wrong.

[Ericthejet]

When it gets hot after running the starter won't engage?

[Ericthejet]

PS. Check those sliced wires. Are they bare? Re-wrap them.

[tanktime]

Yeah, after the bike warms up the starter won't turn over at all, the lights come on and I checked the battery after letting it run for a few minutes to warm up and the voltage was at about 12.5v, so I believe that means the alternator is working. As for the wires I will wrap them up to see if maybe that helps at all.

[Ericthejet]

Might be a lnog shot but perhaps the heat the started absorbs binds the internal workings and keeps it from turning with the available amps. coming from the battery. Does that bike have a starter clutch and chain?

[tanktime]

well, i just a couple more tests and here is where i'm at so far. I took the wire that runs from the starter to the starter relay; disconnected it and put it directly to the positive battery terminal to see if it would turn over and it does! Because of this I'm thinking that the only thing left is the starter relay switch which has three wires; white=positive battery, yellow=clutch switch and black=ground. So I checked the white wire with a circuit tester and there was power going to it. Then I checked the yellow wire and I did not get any current going to it. Does this mean that the clutch switch is bad or malfunctioning and should I start to trace the wire back to make sure it is ok as well as the switch itself? I feel like I am getting closer to the problem, I just would like to see if I am going about this the correct way.

[spdrkt ZX7R]

7R's are notorious for the safety switches coming loose, going bad, or just being corroded. Check the switch on the sidestand (putting the two wires together on the bike side of the switch will defeat it) and the switch on the clutch. Also clean the contacts of these switches and the starter relay with some emery board and some isopropyl alcohol. I bet your problems will go away.