Classic Panicked newbie w/ "Won't Start" problem!

[irisdsgn]

Ok, so yesterday I bought a used 2000 GS500 and drove it home about 90 miles. It rode perfectly, no troubles. Got in to the driveway, grinning ear to ear! I had my wife come out to listen to the engine. I had it on the kickstand, in neutral and it started up wonderfully. It sat for an hour, I went back out to momve it to the back of the drive way and it wouldn't start! I poked around with it a little, making sure all my switches were in the right place, but nothing worked. I was able to finally get it started by pushing it about 5 feet and pressing the electric start. I went out this morning and tried the same technique but it was hit and miss....What's the deal? I know nothing about mechanics! HELP!

[gsmetal]

You probably need a new battery.

When you parked it, did you put the ignition switch to "PARK" this would leave your tail light on thus draining your battery.

[irisdsgn]

I took the key out last night and put it on the dresser. It that still possible?

[NWDave]

make sure it's in the off or lock position, anything else will leave the lights on.  Also check the fuel valve.  PRI is not primary it's PRIME (I also learned this tidbit about GS's the hard way) it will flood the bowls (if not more).. all I know is it's a pain in the arse trying to start my GS when I forget to take it off prime.

[irisdsgn]

Fuel valve is set to "on". Can the setting be on park and still be able to take out the key?

[Matty B 500]

make sure ur kick stands up ... if u put it in first with the kickstand down ... it will stall ... if u shut it off in 1st then put the kickstand down it wont start ... so make sure the kickstand is up when u start it.

[manofthefield]

I took the key out last night and put it on the dresser. It that still possible?

Yes.   You can take the key out with the ignition in the "park" position which leaves the tailight on.  And yes, this is a stupid feature because I've maybe heard of one person ever using it.

[irisdsgn]

All of the suggestions so far seem to be checklist type stuff. Are you guys thinking that is the issue and not a mechanical one? I thought maybe there was something wrong with the starter switch or something. I guess I just don't get it. I tried it out twice before I bought it and never had any trouble...

[wever411]

Maybe it's out of gas???

[manofthefield]

Okay, I was just skimming the thread before... First things first

Does it make any noise when you hit the starter button or is it quiet?

If it is making noise, does it sound like it's trying to start or just clicking or ...?


More info is better to help diagnose the problem

[irisdsgn]

I didn't notice any noise when I pushed the starter button, but I also didn't ntice any when I got it moving and pushed the starter button(that's when I got it to start this morning).

[manofthefield]

So it wasn't chugging at all trying to start? (when it didn't start)

When you did start it this morning, did you push start it(in gear with clutch pulled in, get moving then release clutch)?
Or did you just start it like normal (after rolling a little bit)?

[irisdsgn]

no, there was no engine noise whatsoever. I got it started this morning in neutral, with the clutch pulled in, and I pushed the starter button. Engine sounded normal once it turned over. And no, it didn't have any trouble starting.

[manofthefield]

Sounds like you are missing an electrical connection somewhere then.  The first things to look for are the obvious checks: Clutch in, in neutral/kickstand up, kill switch to on, key to on 

I think that covers everything (I'm sure someone will correct me if I missed anything).  Make sure the clutch is in all the way, sometimes my bike won't start if I don't have it pulled in quite far enough.  Try again to start the bike



If it still doesn't start, then I would begin looking into problems with the bike.  First to check would be the clutch switch, sidestand switch, kill swich and neutral switch.  Heck, a battery cable might be loose or something

[dgyver]

Couple of things to know when starting:
Clutch has to be pulled in.
If side stand can be down, tranny in neutral.
Switch at throttle flipped to Run.
Key turned to On

The clutch switch at the lever is common to give problems. A good cleaning usually helps.

The bike will not start if it is in gear and the side stand is down.

[TragicImage]

funny thing happened my first day... I put my key in and panicked trying to start my bike...


I forgot to turn the ignition key to "ON".... felt like an udder @$$hole.



Did you try to run your bike down the hill and pop the clutch to get it to start?

[RVertigo]

Clutch has to be pulled in.
If side stand is down, tranny must be in neutral.
Switch at throttle flipped to Run.
Key turned to On

The clutch switch at the lever is common to give problems. A good cleaning usually helps.

The bike will not start if it is in gear and the side stand is down.

++ 

Just quoting so it isn't missed...


As far as the park "Feature"...  The order is:  On -> Off -> Lock -> Park.  You can remove the key in Off, Lock, and Park.  If you leave it in Park, your tail light will stay on and eventually kill your battery.

[dgyver]

Thanks.

Another thing I thought of to add...sometimes the side stand does not go up all the way and if you try to start it in gear, nothing happens.

[pandy]

Welcome, irisdsgn! 

Did you get your problem figured out yet?

[irisdsgn]

Well, I came home last night and went through the steps. I decided to try it with the stand up and clutch in. I put the choke in a little just as  a little extra. I pushed the starter button, it took a few seconds but she fired right up!!! Wha a relief. I let her run a little bit and tried it again. No problems!

I think maybe the clutch has to be pulled way in or else it won't trigger. I'm not convinced that there isn't a wiring issue still, but she is up and running for my road test today! Wish me luck!