Multi is dead!

[lather]

Sunday morning I attempted to start m7 17 Multistrada to head home after a four day trip. The bike started but immediateley dies. I turned off the key then back on and the same thing. Again for the third time it started but immediately died. Now when I turn the key to on I get nothing. The dask does not ligh up at all. I took the batttery out and got a ride to an auto parts store and they tested the battery. The battery test good, had 13+ volts.

I re-installed the bttery making sure the connectors were shiney clean but no joy. I checked all the fuses in the two boxes uner the seat and all are good. Does anybody have any ideas? Are there any other fuses to look for?

I had to bring the bike home 425 miles in a rental truck.

[20220727]

This is only a guesstimate but if the bike dies immediately after starting my first thought would be a fueling issue & constant starting may have put the bike in a “safe” mode.

[lather]

Thanks for your thoughts. Once I got it home I started checking the connectors. When I disconnected the connector to the starter solenoid I heard a click. I reconnected and now the dash lights up as normal and the bike starts and stays running. I think I mentioned in another thread that my gear indicater is acting up when the engine is cold, showing 2nd gear when tranny is actually in neutral. I am wondering if this is related to my troubles starting.

[Paul_Smith]

Originally Posted by lather

... I think I mentioned in another thread that my gear indicator is acting up when the engine is cold, showing 2nd gear when tranny is actually in neutral. I am wondering if this is related to my troubles starting.

Possible but not probable. Neutral is just a fraction of an inch away from second gear so it is more likely a sensor just slightly out of true. Your starting issue appears to have been related to a loose connector. 

[lather]

I was going to take the Multi for a ride today. It has been idle since my last post on October 12 when all seemed fine. But today I had the same no response when turning the key. No response from the dash and no sound. I removed the seat and checked the battery with a digital multimeter. At first it  showed only 6.5 volts but after I pressed the contacts harder I got 13.4. Without touching anything else I tried the key again and all was normal. At this point I am thinking I have something broken in the battery

[Paul_Smith]

Originally Posted by lather

... At first it  showed only 6.5 volts but after I pressed the contacts harder I got 13.4. ...

Quite normal for a bit of crud to build up in the contacts when the bike is left idle. If you are worried, remove, clean and reconnect the contacts. 

[lather]

Cleaning the battery contacts was the first thing I tried and it had no effect.. Yesterday the problem returned: turning the key had no effect. However I kept trying the key and one the 5th try it fired up. I am now suspecting the ignition switch itself.

[lather]

Under the seat there is a row of 4 relays next to the starter relay. One of then is labeled "Key". I disconnected it and this duplicates the intermittent problem so I suspect the issue could be a malfunctioning relay. Before I resort to taking the Multi 120 miles to the dealer for service I am going to replace the relay.