[CGambino]

2020 350 exc with original battery (lithium) died after riding 3.5 hours today. We stopped about 8 times for a min or 2. Going through a large buddle (20 in deep) the ktm just stopped. Tried to restart but battery was to weak to kick over. Eventually got home (about 3 hours later) put on tender and it instantly blinked green. Indicating 80 % charged.
I will see if it turns over tomorrow and report back.
My question is being 3 years old should I just replace it?

 

[Mohawk]

I doubt this is a battery issue. Sounds like you took in some water somewhere(assuming "buddle" is puddle). Try crank motor with spark plug out and do a compression test. You want to rule out water in motor first.

 

[CGambino]

Charged the battery overnight.. says it's fully charged.. I then go to start and it sounds like the solenoid kicks in but not the starter. The sound is just for a split second and then nothing (does not turn engine over). The dash nor the headlight lights up.
I then swapped the battery out of another bike, and the same thing (no dash and no headlight. solenoid kicks (not Starter) for less than a second and then nothing). I don't even know where to start.
All suggestions are welcomed.
thank you
Chris

 

[Spartacus]

Try the starting circuit first, the starter motor or relay (probably this one) or maybe the switch itself? But maybe before all this check for loose wires and grounds .. something got wet.

 

[augiedoggie]

Remove spark plug and retest. If your battery has overload from engine hydro lock it can trip the battery overload. Some Li batteries use an overload reset which trips like a circuit breaker

 

[CGambino]

I have made progress its now turning over but throwing out a code on the display. R04 14 10 14.
To get this far, I did a couple of things but do not have an exact cause and effect. First sanded all cables connected to battery (+ and -). Also sanded the chassis side of screw.
When I put back all wires back to battery I used Dielectric grease. Also took the tank off and started to make sure all connections were tight. Then I tried and it turned over.

I then put tank back on, connected fuel, and tried to start it. Good news it now turns over for about 10 seconds and then you just hear the starter spin (I think its the started) and then showing on the display is R04 14 10 14

Similiar problem here but no resolution. r04 14 10 14 Code

Thoughts?

 

[CGambino]

I have made progress its now turning over but throwing out a code on the display. R04 14 10 14.
To get this far, I did a couple of things but do not have an exact cause and effect. First sanded all cables connected to battery (+ and -). Also sanded the chassis side of screw.
When I put back all wires back to battery I used Dielectric grease. Also took the tank off and started to make sure all connections were tight. Then I tried and it turned over.

I then put tank back on, connected fuel, and tried to start it. Good news it now turns over for about 10 seconds and then you just hear the starter spin (I think its the started) and then showing on the display is R04 14 10 14

Similiar problem here but no resolution. r04 14 10 14 Code

Thoughts?

More progress. Bike is starting but dash is now dark (no lights at all). I will pick up a new display battery tomorrow.
Thanks everyone for your suggestions

 

[CGambino]

This morning bf work, I checked the spark plug. Seemed ok (see pic attached). I then went to start it and the display lite up and the ktm started right up. i think i am ok now but I feel I didn't fix the issue
this will certainly keep me going slow through puddles for a while.

thanks everyone for the suggestions.

 

[augiedoggie]

I try to banzai through deep water as fast as possible. Cuts through it like a knife.....
Unless the water is more than knee deep...
If I hit knee deep water at warp speed I'm always hoping someone is filming my blunders for video playback and a laugh track for the ride home 🤣

 

[cs363]

R04 indicates low power on internal speedometer battery. I believe it is a CR2430

 

[CGambino]

Was thinking about opening all electrical connectors and applying some dielectric grease. Is this a good idea or is this going to make a mess?
Also do I apply grease to the fuses ?

 

[augiedoggie]

Dielectric grease is a good idea for your electrical connections and ground connections and fuse connections. Ounce of prevention. Carry on👍