2014 ZX14R struggles to start after SHORT time being off, when warm

1690 Views 15 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Rkjdon, 10 d ago

dope_man420

Discussion Starter · May 29, 2022 (Edited)

I just got this bike 2 weeks ago from a dealership. Its got 11k miles and visually its flawless. Clean, all of the mechanicals I've looked over are solid. The bike rides perfectly. However, I've noticed that if you stop for gas, or if you ride it and then shut it off for a minute (for example, to open the garage door or something) and then restart it after, it struggles to restart. Like it doesnt seem like its cranking quickly, and kinda reminds me of a low battery situation. However, when left for awhile it cranks up normally. Such as overnight or after work. The on dash voltage will usually show a range between 14 and 14.7 with engine running. With engine off and left to sit long periods it will show 12.1, 12.4 volts etc, but I havent found a consistent number yet. I would think with a weak battery it would struggle to start EVERY TIME, and maybe even start easier AFTER riding for awhile due to alternator charge (basically the opposite of whats going on for me). I watched a video on how to remove the battery so I could see the age of it and maybe trickle charge it but it looks like a pain in the ass so I figured I'd better ask first. ALSO when this occurs the screen on the dash will "reset" and show the kawasaki headlight logo sequence again, just like when you first key on. The trip meters and clocks and such WONT reset.

Also, about 40% of the time when this situation occurs it will high idle at like 1.5k rpm (even when hot engine) and throw a check engine light, but if you snap the throttle real quick the idle settles back down to its proper setpoint (CEL stays on though). The check engine light goes away after restarting the bike again. I don't know how to read codes for these things, I've read everything I can find on the internet including the owners manual.

The check engine light does not come on at any other time when riding. I've put 500+ miles on the bike in the last 2 weeks and as far as I can tell the engine and transmission are silky smooth through the whole rev band and in all gears and throttle positions.

I'm an electrician and also have years experience working on cars and bikes but this one has me stumped, please help me out guys. My best guesses so far are loose battery cable connection or weak battery but it just doesn't make sense.

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185EZ

· #2 · May 29, 2022

Sounds like battery especially if it's original
Battery is kind of a pain to get to so the battery will go unchecked for awhile as far as corrosion or loose cables
Mine does the same thing every time it needs a battery
Starts fine when cold
Go for a ride and shut it off and it won't start
Problem is the cooling fan is usually running too so it drains the battery just enough to not start

Reactions: 1

dope_man420

Discussion Starter · #3 · May 29, 2022

185EZ said:
Sounds like battery especially if it's original
Battery is kind of a pain to get to so the battery will go unchecked for awhile as far as corrosion or loose cables
Mine does the same thing every time it needs a battery
Starts fine when cold
Go for a ride and shut it off and it won't start
Problem is the cooling fan is usually running too so it drains the battery just enough to not start

Thank you so much, brother. If I pull it out and it has an old date code on it and tests below like 12.3v after sitting overnight, I think I'm gonna order a new one. Is there a certain type or brand to steer towards? Or can I grab an Exide from menards and call it good?

185EZ

· #4 · May 29, 2022

I'm sure exide is as good as the rest
I'm a cheap ass and buy Chrome batteries. 24 month no hassle warranty and a couple day shipping
I think welcome10 gets you 10% off

www.chromebattery.com

YTX14-BS High Performance Power Sports Battery

12 Ah Lead Acid Dimensions: (H)5.94" x (L)5.78" x (W)3.46" Weight: 10.38 lbs. CCA: 200 Volts: 12 Watts: 168 Polarity: [+ -] Terminal Type: Nut & Bolt (T3) Condition: New

www.chromebattery.com

www.chromebattery.com

Hammerhead

· #5 · May 29, 2022

I like the Bikemaster Gel batteries. Had one in my ZZR 1200 that I transferred to the ZX-14 when I bought it. Tried an AGM Yuasa, but it didn't live up to the hype.

KoflaOlivieri

· #6 · May 29, 2022

If I purchased a motorcycle from the dealership two weeks ago, I won't bother trying to diagnose any problems. They got your money, let them deal with it.

92Ninjas

· #7 · May 30, 2022

KoflaOlivieri said:
If I purchased a motorcycle from the dealership two weeks ago, I won't bother trying to diagnose any problems. They got your money, let them deal with it.

If they're not a stealership; they'll make it right by him. Otherwise, they'll charge him for diag and repair.

dope_man420

Discussion Starter · #8 · May 30, 2022

KoflaOlivieri said:
If I purchased a motorcycle from the dealership two weeks ago, I won't bother trying to diagnose any problems. They got your money, let them deal with it.

The dealership is 2.5 hours away and for something that's gonna cost less than 100 bucks it isnt worth my time to have someone else fuck with it. I'm not messing with local dealer, wait times, arranging a ride etc just for a battery.

Anyway I pulled out the old battery. It has no date code but it says HONDA on it so I assume it mustve been replaced in the last 8 years. However it has NO date code and looks about as generic as you could get. I tested it after standing overnight and I have 12.5V, and 12.1V with key on engine off. All the cables and mating surfaces are free of corrosion. Should I go ahead and replace this thing?

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92Ninjas

· #9 · May 30, 2022

dope_man420 said:
The dealership is 2.5 hours away and for something that's gonna cost less than 100 bucks it isnt worth my time to have someone else fuck with it. I'm not messing with local dealer, wait times, arranging a ride etc just for a battery.

Anyway I pulled out the old battery. It has no date code but it says HONDA on it so I assume it mustve been replaced in the last 8 years. However it has NO date code and looks about as generic as you could get. I tested it after standing overnight and I have 12.5V, and 12.1V with key on engine off. All the cables and mating surfaces are free of corrosion. Should I go ahead and replace this thing?

I would. For peace of mind and eliminating it as the culprit. Also, you already removed it. So, unless you like doing the same job twice; replace it.

185EZ

· #10 · May 30, 2022

You can take it to an auto store and they can test it
I've had two 14's and they need good battery power.
Mine have done the exact same thing as yours multiple times
Turning the key on doesn't put enough load on it.
Also the 14R has 2 cooling fans now and it will draw down the battery quickly.
I've tried battery tenders too but the arizona heat is hard on them.
I also have heated grips, radar detector and gps and PCV that all put a strain on the system

dope_man420

Discussion Starter · #11 · May 30, 2022

Yeah the old battery must've been it. I put a new one in it and rode it all day. Stopped 4 different times on a hot engine and every time it fired right up. I put the date code on this battery for future reference.

Reactions: 3

Rkjdon

· #12 · 13 d ago

dope_man420 said:
Yeah the old battery must've been it. I put a new one in it and rode it all day. Stopped 4 different times on a hot engine and every time it fired right up. I put the date code on this battery for future reference.

How has it been holding up after the battery change? I have been having exactly the same problem since a few days. The battery is less than a year old, but a cheap one.

dope_man420

Discussion Starter · #13 · 13 d ago

Rkjdon said:
How has it been holding up after the battery change? I have been having exactly the same problem since a few days. The battery is less than a year old, but a cheap one.

Great. Replacing the battery fixed it and it hasnt done anything weird since.

Reactions: 1

Rkjdon

· #14 · 12 d ago

dope_man420 said:
Great. Replacing the battery fixed it and it hasnt done anything weird since.

Thank you. Going to replace mine, will update for future reference.

Reactions: 1

Thorissr

· #15 · 10 d ago

I had the same experience as the OP but mine would primarily struggle to start whenever I stopped to fill up. Once I got it to turn over the check engine light came on and I had to turn it off and restart it to clear the check engine light. Never could put my finger on it because it started fine when cold, until one day I was monitoring the battery voltage on the 14R's dash and the voltage dropped drastically and it eventually showed a battery icon...which I interpreted as it was time to get a new battery. I went with a Shorai lithium iron and the bike hasn't exhibited the issues I experienced beforehand, plus I was able to shed a few pounds.

Rkjdon

· #16 · 10 d ago

Thorissr said:
I had the same experience as the OP but mine would primarily struggle to start whenever I stopped to fill up. Once I got it to turn over the check engine light came on and I had to turn it off and restart it to clear the check engine light. Never could put my finger on it because it started fine when cold, until one day I was monitoring the battery voltage on the 14R's dash and the voltage dropped drastically and it eventually showed a battery icon...which I interpreted as it was time to get a new battery. I went with a Shorai lithium iron and the bike hasn't exhibited the issues I experienced beforehand, plus I was able to shed a few pounds.

Thanks! I pretty much faced the same issue as yours. Worried my ass off until I saw this post! Have ordered a new SF Sonic battery (Indian make). But it has to come from Dubai. Local market here in Oman all have cheap batteries. Will post an update once its done 👍🏻

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