engine won't turn over

[Scott E.]

My 2001 has never had a battery problem.  I have only been on it once in about the last three weeks.  Last weekend I washed the bike.

Tonight I get on and no turnover, just a click-click-click sound.  The lights seem as bright as ever.

Dead battery?  Is it too old to be recharged?  The bike has only 6150 miles on it.

[starwalt]

Yep. Click-click-click means your battery is too low. Check the connections to the battery, both of them. If fine, then check the fluid level and recharge it. A 2A or less battery charger will do the trick. You could try and push start the bike and run it at 3K for a while. If you are going to do that, you might as well take a nice ride.

If you ride infrequently, I suggest a battery tender type device. I usually refer to them as a trickle charger. Some of the gadgets of the past few years have a desulfate mode. Once the sulfate has fallen off the plates and is laying in the bottom of the battery, it is usually too late.

[Scott E.]

Thanks.  What am I looking for on the connections?  

And what is the procedure for push starting?

[94suzuki500]

It could be a loose connections.  On my starting Solenoid I beleive, (the round thing that the negative battery lead  connects to and also the starter)  well the nut was missing.  It would just making a clicking sound.  Check your battery and some of those connections.

[starwalt]

I also forgot to mention jumpstarting your bike from a car battery. But first make sure you have enough water in the battery and that all connections are clean and tight.

Ok Scott, here are a few thread you might want to look over:

http://gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=16722&highlight=starter+solenoid

http://gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15757&highlight=starter+solenoid

These were found with a search for "starter solenoid" only. You will find several threads, some will have schematics, others just words. You will have to remove the seat and the right side body panels to see the battery and the starter solenoid. Follow the big wires off the battery and check their connections for looseness, corrosion, dirt, etc.

If you are not comfortable with doing service, but want to learn, I recommend picking up the Haynes manual on the GS. It has excellent photos and procedures. You can order one through GSTwin by clicking on the "By a Repair Manual" link above. Part of the sale helps keep this spot on the web going.

Let us know how you fare and what you find.  

[Scott E.]

Thanks Doug, this is very helpful.

Scott

[billdapart]

I searched but to no avail.

I've been doing mods to my gs for the last month and i finally got her all back together in one piece and she won't start..

there seems to be plenty of power..lights/signals/horn all work great..
but the starter button does nil. like it's un-plugged.. I checked all fuses and connections I could see and everything seems ok.

The only thing I changed electrically was the turn signals.. they work but they actually make a wierd noise when they start.. sounds like a buzz coming from the fuse box area..

did i wire them wrong? they came with three connectors per light and i know the stocks only had two.. ..

eh? :dunno:

[billdapart]

whoops.. thought i hit new topic.. sorry guys..