Bike won't start, any ideas?

jjr_vw · April 26, 2005, 08:51:19 PM

The bike started fine this morning; never once experienced a problem starting the bike before. It is a 2001.

As I push the start button, not a peep comes out from the bike. Not even a hesitation, clicky noise or what have you.

I've ruled out the battery, as I ran jumper cables to my car and starter won't even turn. Left the cables for a couple of minutes, and nothing.

I can push start the bike, I have push-started it twice tonight in order to get home. Once it starts running, it is smooth as ever.

Could it be the starter switch? Could it be the starter itself? Could it be something else that I don't even know exists? How can I go about ruling these things out?

For any that have ideas or have troubleshot this problem in the past, thanks much in advance for any suggestions

davipu · April 26, 2005, 08:52:56 PM

try the clutch switch, or the starter button switch.

ukchickenlover · April 27, 2005, 01:39:45 AM

Proberbly a bad connection at the starter switch or one of the connectors either inside the headlight unit or the ones under the side panels.

starwalt · April 27, 2005, 05:31:23 AM

John Bates has a great schematic of the starter circuit here.

BlackGTS2002 · April 27, 2005, 05:45:13 AM

Quote from: daviputry the clutch switch, or the starter button switch.

Hi guys, newbie to the boards here. Speaking of clutch switch, the little button , or slide, or whatever it is seems to be worn on my GS. I can pull the clutch in and out a few times and work it and the starter will crank... So you can see I want to replace it. I looked on Bikebandit and cant make sure of exactly what I need. The schematic is not clear. Where can I get one??

starwalt · April 27, 2005, 06:19:31 AM

Quote from: BlackGTS2002Speaking of clutch switch, the little button , or slide, or whatever it is seems to be worn on my GS. ...I looked on Bikebandit and cant make sure of exactly what I need. The schematic is not clear. Where can I get one??

What you need is the BBandit/Suzuki part number 57465-18601 "Contact Finger" for $2.54.
IF you have this kind of clutch switch. There is a different one out there.

The plastic arm on mine was broken off. I fabricated an arm out of a tiny screw and 5 min epoxy. Ordered an original just in case.

You could just follow the wiring into the headlamp bucket and jumper it out until you replace the part. Just remember to pull in the clutch when starting if in gear.

BlackGTS2002 · April 27, 2005, 07:08:34 AM

Yes this is exactly what i need! Awesome.. such a great message board.. no hate like on some others. you guys rock!

funny part is.. my broken one looks JUST LIKE that one. haha

starwalt · April 27, 2005, 07:32:24 AM

Quote from: BlackGTS2002Yes this is exactly what i need! Awesome.. such a great message board.. no hate like on some others. you guys rock!..funny part is.. my broken one looks JUST LIKE that one. haha

Great! Glad I could help.

Regarding the other boards...we have great moderators here and if someone gets out of line...we kill them. Problem solved. Why do you think davipu gets around so much? He's the GS Hitman...

Watch out!

:lol:

BlackGTS2002 · April 27, 2005, 07:37:01 AM

haha

so i called the local dealer.. $3.50 for it..not bad. Ill pick it up later.

registering the GS today.. so much work I have done to it in the last 2 years.. cleaned out the carbs... changed the fork seals, just did the brakes and rear tire.. all myself. Im mechanically inclined, but i got to say..the bike was a challenge... but its very rewarding riding it now for sure, esspeically knowing that all I did was worth it and that it is done right as well.

course i get it 100 % yesterday and go to start it and it wont start cause of the switch.. haha its always somthing!

jjr_vw · April 27, 2005, 06:02:53 PM

Thanks for that post with the schematic... should be a piece of pie now to debug

VersOne · April 28, 2005, 12:27:12 PM

One thing that nobody commented about is the master fuse (I'm assuming this is like on my kawasaki)

Might want to check that too if you haven't already.

You can blow it to hell...especially if you trying to jumpstart the bike or maybe reversed the polarities.

Jonah

starwalt · April 28, 2005, 02:41:16 PM

Quote from: VersOneOne thing that nobody commented about is the master fuse...

Good point! The fuse that is visible on the outside of the starter solenoid is the SPARE fuse. The working fuse is inside the covering cap mounted on the starter solenoid. The schematic link I gave in the previous post shows the fuse on it.

If you need a picture of the starter solenoid blown (figure of speech) apart to see how the fuse sits in it, let me know.

Good catch!

Kerry · April 28, 2005, 03:18:37 PM

Quote from: starwaltIf you need a picture of the starter solenoid blown (figure of speech) apart to see how the fuse sits in it, let me know.

Or see the Blown fuse? Electrical issues thread.

ukchickenlover · April 28, 2005, 03:24:02 PM

If he can push start the bike then it is not the fuse.

Kerry · April 28, 2005, 03:27:17 PM

Another good catch!

John Bates · April 28, 2005, 07:26:54 PM

Quote from: ukchickenloverIf he can push start the bike then it is not the fuse.

Is the point here that the bike has to have the battery to start?

Interesting. Will the bike push start without the battery? Something has to operate the sidestand relay in order to have ignition. Without the battery it would have to come from the generator/rectifier. Can the generator/rectifier put out enough current/voltage under push start conditions to operate the relay as well as support ignition?

Has anybody deliberately tried this? With the fuse or battery removed.

I vaguely recall that this is a bad idea because the battery helps to regulate/filter the system voltage, which if unregulated/unfiltered could damage the electronics.

News:

Bike won't start, any ideas?

davipu