Bent Rod from Hydrolock??

crobwolfpack · August 03, 2012, 06:48:19 PM

So when I put the key in and turn it the lights come on and I can do everything like the horn, etc. However, when I hit the button to start it, all I hear is a small click in a little box on the right of the bike behind the battery. Is it probably a blown fuse or is it a bad starter?

Thanks for all the help!

DoD#i · August 03, 2012, 06:59:37 PM

There's only one fuse. So it's not the fuse. (Technically, two total, one in use - there should also be a spare fuse on a fully stocked bike.)

Might be low battery.

Might be bad starter relay. The click means it's doing something, but you don't know if it's broken or the starter is broken until you test more things.

Try shorting the starter relay with a wrench (this is OK on a motorcycle with its little battery - don't try this on a car or you'll have a wrench welded to something.) Be sure the bike is in neutral BEFORE you try that, as it bypasses all the safety systems as well as the relay. If the starter cranks, you have a bad relay - if the starter does not crank, you have a low battery or a bad starter motor (you can have lights but not have enough battery to crank.)

You should also be able to bump start it, either by pushing or rolling downhill.

DoD#i · August 03, 2012, 07:06:55 PM

Additional possibility - bad connections - things corrode and sometimes simply cleaning them all will "cure" this type of problem (concentrate on the fat wires and ring connectors between the starter and the battery - both the positve and ground sides of that circuit.)

crobwolfpack · August 03, 2012, 07:26:06 PM

Thanks for the help. Where is the starter relay and how do I shorten it with a wrench?

crobwolfpack · August 03, 2012, 08:40:45 PM

Also, I tested for hydrolock by taking out the plugs and trying to start it. Still just a click and no gas came out or anything. One plug smelled like fuel but that was it (Whole reason I started this process. Already fixed carb issues and oil change).

adidasguy · August 03, 2012, 10:52:15 PM

#5220

OK, again we say get out your volt meter and check the voltage at the battery.

BAD BATTERY

I wish people would feel it important to have a meter in their tool box. You have every screw driver and wrench but nothing at all to check electricity? Hmmmmm......

Anytime there are problems starting and the "clicking of the starter relay" the first and easiest thing to do is check the voltage. Do that before you start shorting things or ripping the bike apart. Bad battery is probably the most common reason for the bike not starting.

crobwolfpack · August 04, 2012, 08:53:24 AM

adidasguy, you were right just a bad battery. So I charged it and put it on. I put the bike on the centerstand (In gear) and pushed the back tire (with the plugs out) to be sure there wasn't any gas in the case. Nothing came out so I went to start it. It made like it wanted to start and then all of a sudden there was a loud CLUNK. I tried a couple more times with similar results. So is this is a bent rod or what?

Here's the youtube link for trying to start the bike: http://youtu.be/ALNtsgseII8

crobwolfpack · August 04, 2012, 09:12:43 AM

After doing some more internet reading, maybe its a starter clutch issue?? So confused

burnchassis · August 04, 2012, 09:26:30 AM

You have a dead battery. The starter spins the engine at x rpm when it has good voltage. The starter spins the engine but it don't fire..but the piston is still going to have compression,and when that compression releases the slap you hear is the piston decompressing faster than the starter can spin it....and you get a little slack knock sound.
Charge it or replace it if it won't take the charge.
-CS

crobwolfpack · August 04, 2012, 09:28:23 AM

I actually charged it right before the video. Do you think that's a further sign that it's definitely dead?

burnchassis · August 04, 2012, 09:29:53 AM

yes it sounded dead in the video.
-CS

burnchassis · August 04, 2012, 09:30:43 AM

Have you tried to jump start it with a car battery?
-CS

crobwolfpack · August 04, 2012, 10:05:55 AM

No I haven't. Would that work even if the battery was dead?

burnchassis · August 04, 2012, 10:17:43 AM

yes i just had to do it to mine..try 1st with the car off...but that wasnt enough juice to get mine where it needed to be with the car running it fired right up (my kid left the parking light on for 8 hrs).
Just dont hold the starter for extended times..bump it 2 or 3 seconds at a time,and give it a rest so you don't melt "stuff".
-CS

crobwolfpack · August 04, 2012, 11:17:07 AM

Cool, I'll give it a shot tomorrow. Thx! I was crazy worried that something was messed up pretty bad. A bad battery would make me thrilled

crobwolfpack · August 05, 2012, 11:11:38 AM

So I tried to jump it and the battery was much more responsive and didn't make the big "clunk" sound. However it still wouldn't start. Even though it didn't start, should I still replace the battery? Also, thoughts on why it still wouldn't start? Thanks guys!

burnchassis · August 05, 2012, 11:16:06 AM

carb troubles? The carbs are suspect on the gs500s..mine is trashed awaiting rebuild.
New battery? hard to say without a voltage..you can take it out ,and bring it to auto zone or advanced auto,and they can tell you good or bad.
You may just want to leave it on a smart charger for awhile too.
Take a plug out ..hook it up ...ground it to the engine case,and bump the starter ...check the plug for spark.
-CS

crobwolfpack · August 05, 2012, 11:20:50 AM

I actually had gas leaking into case which is why I took off carb and cleaned and adjusted float height. I know gas is getting to the bowls so idk. I'm gonna take it into advance for a reading. I fully charged it 2 nights ago. So if it is low should I get another or is that a stator issue? I just wanna get the bike running lol!!

burnchassis · August 05, 2012, 11:34:36 AM

I know how carbs work,BUT I have no luck with them ..is why I am taking mine to the pros..tomorrow,
This guy will rebuild them both for 90.00.
and I don;t have to take them off ...he will.
No brainer..you close to Cincinnati? He told me 2 hours in and out...NO WAIT.
You could ship yours here or to him if your interested LMK.
As far as the battery? if you have the $ get a new 1.....If you're on a budget try to milk yours out.
The battery wont take a real charge unless the bike is running for 15-20 minutes above idle....so if your bike is not running your battery is suffering repeatedly trying to start...and not getting the charge from running.
or take it in and have it checked if you do not have a voltmeter.
Im sure your rods ,and stator are fine...your battery probably is ok too.Get the carbs fixed fire the bike up ,and let it do its thing with the battery.
Its safe to say you dont need to check for spark...I'd bet the farm your carbs are suspect.
-CS

crobwolfpack · August 07, 2012, 07:42:21 AM

Was able to start it via jumping it and had it run for about 5 mins, but it got fuel starvation in the "ON" position. It actually ran in the "RES" position as well as "PRIME". I took the in-tank fuel filter out and cleaned it. Went to jump it and it wouldn't start up. I have new plugs in the bike and the left one is covered with oil. How should I adjust for this? Any thoughts on why it didn't want to start after that? On the dipstick it reads that their is a tad too much oil so I'm gonna drain a little of it out.

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Bent Rod from Hydrolock??