hot starting problem

[asifnyc]

Ok, I've only had my GS a short time.  Until very recently I only used it to go back and forth to work.  Now I'm riding more often and I've encountered a problem.  If the bike is warm (say after a 10minute ride) and I turn the bike off (to get gas) or stall it, the starter doesn't want to turn over.

This is a fairly common issue with old musclecars with headers.  If the starter or battery cables are hot the starter doesn't want to crank.  So, is that what's happening with my GS?  If so, what can I do about it? I don't even know where the starter is on the bike.  Would insulating the battery cables help?  How about a new/different battery?

[asifnyc]

Ok, no one's replied to this post.   I was expecting to find out it was a common problem.  No one else has ever experienced this?  

[JasonB]

Does the starter not want to turn the engine over or does the engine not catch and start with the starter? I kinda have this problem and I just give it some gas or put the choke on a little and it starts up fine.

[Casimir]

Actually, this happened to me this morning and it's happened a couple times in the past.

I was at a stop sign after motoring at 70 mph for a while in 90 F or so heat. When I released the clutch to take off, I didn't give it enough gas and the engine stalled. There was a car behind me so I quickly pulled the clutch in and hit the start button. The engine would not turn over. That is, I got a grunt from it like I was trying to start with it in gear and the clutch out but the bike did not lurch. To be clear, this wasn't a click like if there wasn't enough juice to turn the starter over. I hit the starter again and got the same thing. Waited a few seconds and hit it a third time and it started fine.  

I had stopped for gas a little earlier and had no problems starting. I stopped a few miles later for breakfast and again had no problems starting.

Previous instances were similar situations, trying to quickly restart after a stall in hot weather.

[asifnyc]

Yes, the starter motor does not want to turn.  You'll get a slight "whir" as it tries to turn over.  It does not click.  It is not a fuel issue.  And, like Casimir describes, if I wait a moment (I don't know about a few seconds, but maybe 30 seconds) I can get the bike to start.  But, after I wait that time the starter doesn't crank strongly.  It just gets one slow turn that luckily is enough to start the engine...

[glenn9171]

How old is the battery?  Is it full of fluid?

[Blueknyt]

Check the cells with a Hydometer, you can get them cheap at autoparts stores, make sure you use only distilled water when filling the cells. take apart all MAIN battery Cable connections, clean with wire brush and baking sode/water mixture, dry and reconnect then either Spraypaint or Patroleum jelly Coat them helps hold off corrosion the starter is located under the carbs behind a plate held down by 2 screws. check that connection too, also check the bolts that hold the starter down.

[pantablo]

How old is the battery?  Is it full of fluid?

Thats what I'm thinking too. I've never had this happen though. My guess is that your battery is weak and not charging due to a short ride?

Just a thought.

[Casimir]

In my case, the battery is the stock one that was on the bike when I bought it new in January. It's a 2001, so I'm not sure if the battery has been sitting on the bike for two years or if they put a new one in.

I'll check the fluid this evening, but I don't have any problems starting it except when it's a quick restart. When I do get it to start in a quick restart, it doesn't seem to be a weak crank.

I had been riding for over an hour with one engine-off stop when I stalled it yesterday.

[asifnyc]

Ok, to all who said check the fluid in the battery... that was it.  I pulled the battery out last night and 3 cells were way low.  I topped them off and went on a long ride today (my first 100mile day).  I stopped a couple of times for gas and the bike started right up afterwards.  Tried again when I got home with the bike good and warm.  Shut if off and immediately restarted it.  Again the starter cranked strong and the bike started up.  So, I think that's got it.  Thanks everyone!

[glenn9171]

No problem.  Glad to hear it's starting OK again.

[The Buddha]

Mine being the grandpa of the lot...40K miles and 14 years old...has the start switch that has worn enough so that every few years it will do this. I put a small dab of lead solder in the switch metal part on the inside.and file it smooth to size and its fine.
Cool.
Srinath.