starting problem

my battery is new and fully charged but when i crank it the voltage drops to 7 volts. if i jump start it, then it shows it's charing and will restart immediately. but if i let it sit for a minute i'll have to jump it again. i can't find any wires shorted out, but the wires coming out of the start are pretty warm and have lower voltage. could my starter be the problem?

You'll have to give us some clue as to which KZ/Kawi your speaking of... Year and Model....

OMR

it's a 1981 csr 650

It could be the starter drawing too much current, but the symptoms sound more like a weak battery since the thing will restart after you run it a bit which pumps the battery up some. Not all new batteries are good. Also, jump starting would probably not work if the starter was over drawing since you would get a big voltage drop across the jumper cables.

Only way to tell is measure the starter current with a clip on Ammeter when cranking the engine.

bobbie13 wrote:

i can't find any wires shorted out, but the wires coming out of the start are pretty warm and have lower voltage.

I would check and clean all the high current connections starting at the battery terminals going to the starter and be SURE to check the ground connections to the frame.

A loose ground connection,some rust or corrosion, and you've got a hard to start bike.Add to the mix a marginal battery with worn down brushes and gummed up bushings on the starter motor and it becomes almost impossible to use the electric starting system.

bobbie13 wrote:

my battery is new and fully charged but when i crank it the voltage drops to 7 volts. if i jump start it, then it shows it's charing and will restart immediately. but if i let it sit for a minute i'll have to jump it again. i can't find any wires shorted out, but the wires coming out of the start are pretty warm and have lower voltage. could my starter be the problem?

Would assure fluid levels in battery are correct. Helps to see levels if shine flashlight through from back of battery.

Would also perform specific gravity test (little floating balls) to help verify condition of battery. A load test is probably the best diagnostic of battery condition.

Also heed advice regarding connections, etc.

Good Luck!

thanks for the help. I'll be tinkering with it some today and let you know what i find...thanks again....