04 breva 750 starting problem

[kyle huckabee]

hello everyone, this is my first post to here so go easy, have never really owned a motorcycle outside of dirtbikes as a kid.

i have a breva 750, it starts up and runs fine usually but sometimes when i put the key to on, in neutral,and press the start button i hear a click under the seat but no start.
when i turn the key on i also hear what i guess may be the fuel pump arming or something. sorry im not so technical.

the click appears to be coming from the 5th relay, closest to the rear tire, under the seat. it appears to say something like L5 and looks interchangable with 3 other relays. i have switched the relays around to see if it is the problem but i still get the same click.

my battery is also testing good so im sure that isnt the problem.
ive read about power loss drop being an issue? any pointers to help me find the issue?

 

[GTM®]

Make sure all ends of the battery cables are clean of corrosion, then from there, see this modification; https://www.guzzitech.com/forums/threads/modern-no-start-issue-solution.4908/ -- keep us posted.

 

[PP-1753]

Kyle, welcome firstly, and secondly you may have a crook battery (even though it tests right) or you may have the typical (and now expected) voltage drop across the minimalist Italian wiring (you know about Italian electrics, right?). Not heard of it before on a small block but you should download the wiring diagram from this site (under resources) and have a look at the wire that feeds the starter relay - this is the wire that needs to be fed from the battery via a 20 Amp (or 15 or 25 -whichever one doesn't blow) fuse.

The only other thing that springs to mind is the starter solenoid may be sticking, though that usually results in a blown fuse. You have checked you fuses?

let us know how you go, Kyle, or if you need more help from us so-called techsperts.

 

[PP-1753]

Todd and I posted over the top of each other - it's all good.

 

[GTM®]

Thanks Tony, all valid points you posted as well.

 

[Brian UK]

This fault is fairly common on almost all Guzzi models, I had to do the same mod to the wiring on my 1980 V50, on the 1990 SPIII and on the Norge.

 

[sign216]

I echo the others with their advice:
If there is only a clicking sound then either the relay or solenoid is not getting enough current, or they are bad. First check the battery condition and connections at the battery, relay, and solenoid, as these are the most likely problems and the easiest to remedy. Check the connections on the starter and solenoid, as any looseness can look like a weak battery. Then check the relays and solenoid by pushing the bike’s start button while feeling the relay (starter relay is rear most) or the solenoid, to find which is clicking.

If the relay is clicking, replace the starter relay with one of the other identical relays. The starter relay is the rearmost one.
It sounds like you already checked that, so I'd check to make sure the relay is sending current to the solenoid. Disconnect the wire at the solenoid from the relay, and connect this to a voltmeter’s + lead, with the voltmeter’s common lead grounded on the bike’s frame. Pushing the start button, see that there is approx. 12 volts. If less, and the relay is know to be good, then the relay isn’t getting sufficient current itself. Check the starter switch further up the circuit.

Keep us posted,
Joe

 

[abbienormal]

I would check for a good ground on the battery cable both where it attaches to the battery and the frame first. Then continue to the relay.

 

[ErikK]

My GF's 2005 Breva 750 had the exact same problem. She bought a new battery and I was ready to buy a new $tarter. But adding the relay fixed the problem. It cranks happily now, on the first press of the button, every time. Big thumbs up for this mod.

see this modification; https://www.guzzitech.com/forums/threads/modern-no-start-issue-solution.4908/ -- keep us posted.

 

[kyle huckabee]

UPDATE:
today i tried starting the bike again, when i hit the start button it makes the second relay click over and over and over in rapid precession. i am aware the ignition is the fifth relay (last toward the tire) and i have swapped them around. after i change the relays around the second one still clicks. any ideas?

 

[kiwi dave]

Word for word, a previous response for this problem.
Replace the battery or at least try another known good battery. If not the battery, follow this:-

https://www.guzzitech.com/forums/threads/b11-norge-startus-interruptus-the-mph-solution.7161/