2004 GS500f - won't start

shibbi3 · June 10, 2011, 08:46:49 AM

The bike was running fine a day before but this morning it wouldn't fire up.

Basically after 3 tries, the battery died so I have it on a charger right now.

When it wouldn't start, it seemed at the end of each try there would be a single click (not multiple clicks like when the battery is out). I am not sure where it is coming from but it just fails to fire up.

Do you guys know what this might be? I know this isn't a lot of info, but this bike was running fine just 12 hours before!

jacob_ns · June 10, 2011, 09:01:42 AM

It could still be the battery but it didn't have enough power to trip the starter relay more than once. Wait until you charge it to make the diagnosis, I bet it'll start.

edit: You should get much more than three tries out of the battery before it dies. Yours is sounding just like mine did a month ago before I replaced mine with the Walmart battery.

RoadToRuin · June 10, 2011, 09:29:04 AM

bump start it and if that works you can narrow it down to the battery.

ben2go · June 10, 2011, 11:10:25 AM

Make sure the frame petcock is set to PRI(prime) when you start up.

shibbi3 · June 11, 2011, 03:46:14 PM

you guys were right.. it was the battery... I think it's still stock

NAPA battery...

Should I get a new one? Any models in particular?

mister · June 11, 2011, 05:57:37 PM

Do you have enough fluid in the battery?

The most common battery problem (I reckon) is people NOT keep their fluid at the correct level. No wonder the battery cannot take or hold a charge.

So, check that first, top it up (I bet it's low), then go for a nice long ride to charge the bugger.

Michael

ben2go · June 11, 2011, 08:00:24 PM

Here is what I have and it's the best I have bought so far.It's an AGM battery so it's truely maintenance free and doesn't need a vent tube.

http://www.batterystuff.com/powersports-batteries/sYT10L-A2.html

shibbi3 · June 11, 2011, 10:05:29 PM

Quote from: mister on June 11, 2011, 05:57:37 PM
Do you have enough fluid in the battery?

The most common battery problem (I reckon) is people NOT keep their fluid at the correct level. No wonder the battery cannot take or hold a charge.

So, check that first, top it up (I bet it's low), then go for a nice long ride to charge the bugger.

Michael

Is it cheaper to buy fluid rather than buying a new battery? It looks full to me!

mister · June 11, 2011, 11:48:17 PM

Quote from: shibbi3 on June 11, 2011, 10:05:29 PM
Quote from: mister on June 11, 2011, 05:57:37 PM
Do you have enough fluid in the battery?

The most common battery problem (I reckon) is people NOT keep their fluid at the correct level. No wonder the battery cannot take or hold a charge.

So, check that first, top it up (I bet it's low), then go for a nice long ride to charge the bugger.

Michael

Is it cheaper to buy fluid rather than buying a new battery? It looks full to me!

Unless batteries in the USA are different to batteries available in Australia, you top them up with distilled water. So, you tell me, is a bottle of distilled water from an auto store cheaper than a new battery where you live?

Michael

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2004 GS500f - won't start