Easy Ways to Diagnose Why Your Bike Won't Start

Posted on: Jun 13, 2022 | 3 Min | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Easy Ways to Diagnose Why Your Bike Won't Start

Diagnose the Reasons for Bike failing to start

Your bike is your trusted partner and it takes you from one place to the other in a smooth, quick and effortless manner. This is precisely why it gets very frustrating when the bike drops dead and refuses to start. But before you start blaming your bike, try to understand what made the bike fail to start. Thankfully, there are some very obvious reasons why this happens and if you are able to diagnose the problem, it can be fixed too. At times it is a simple issue while at other times it is more complicated. You may need to use your comprehensive bike insurance plan and get it repaired, but once you do so, your bike will not let you down.

Reasons why your bike may fail to start

Here are the top reasons why the bike fails to start:

1. The battery is drained out

One of the most common reasons for your bike's refusal to start is a dead battery. When the battery has no charge or power, it cannot power the vehicle and so, it fails to start. At such a time, you need to ensure the battery is charged back up. If you have an EV, you can simply take the battery out and charge it. If you have a regular bike, you may have to explore other options. To prevent this, check the battery before leaving and ensure it has sufficient power.

2. The carburetor is dirty

The next reason may be a dirty carburetor. Dirt and grime deposit over the carburetor and this is why the bike fails to kick start. To prevent this, you must deep clean the carburetor from time to time. If you cannot do it yourself, send the bike to a service station and get the job done.

3. There is a blown fuse

There are many fuses in a bike and it is not uncommon for one of them to get spoiled. If there is a blown fuse in the bike, the bike will not start. Check for a blown fuse and if you can detect the problem, get it repaired.

4. The stand is down

Most modern two-wheelers, both bikes and scooters, need the stand to be up in order for the bike to start. This may sound like a very minor problem, but at times this is exactly what causes your bike to not start. Check if the stand is down. Avoid making this error as you may end up being in an embarrassing situation with your bike not starting due to the stand being down!

5. Check the clutch

Many two-wheelers require you to press down the clutch, even while the vehicle is in neutral gear. Seasoned bikers know this, but if you have just started riding, this may not be very evident to you. If you find it difficult to start your bike, press the clutch and pump it up a few times. If you are lucky, the bike may just start!

6. The bike is too cold

This is a common problem that many bikers face, especially in the winter season. If you park your bike outdoors overnight, the battery becomes too cold and this makes it difficult for the bike to start. At times, you may even notice small ice formations inside the carburettor. It is therefore a good idea for you to keep the bike in an indoor parking space as a cold bike becomes very difficult to kick start.

7. The injector is clogged

This is a common problem that happens when you let your bike sit for many days. The lack of fuel passing through it makes the injector get clogged. The old fuel residue turns into a gel and accumulates inside the injector, making it clogged. If this happens, then you will have to clean the injectors with special cleaning products. Once that is done, your bike will easily start, provided this was the only issue.

8. The spark plug is broken

The spark plugs in a bike need to be changed at regular intervals. This is because, after a while, cracks appear in the ceramic coating of the plug. Then, spark plugs often encounter some oil flow from the engine and this prevents them from working well.

Next, the spark plug’s ridges can wear out over time. If you haven't changed the spark plug of your bike in a while, you need to do so, or else the bike may suddenly refuse to start one day. Thankfully, all you have to do is buy a new spark plug and replace the old one with it.

9. There are some loose wires

If your bike isn't starting, check the electric wires and connectors. At times, something as simple as a loose connection leads to the bike’s start failure. Manually inspect the connectors to rule this problem out. If however, you spot a loose wire, fix it and your bike should be good to go.

These are some of the most common reasons why your bike fails to start. Rather than worrying about a bike insurance claim, take a good look at the bike and see if any of the above-mentioned issues are noticeable. If yes, then address them. Else, send your bike to the garage for a professional analysis.

Conclusion

It is legally compulsory for you to have a bike insurance plan . Similarly, it is also important for you to take the best care of your bike and ensure there are no blown fuses, loose wires or dead batteries. If you notice any issue, get it fixed at the earliest. Doing so will keep your bike healthy and also prevent it from failing to stop at random times.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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