Electrical Problems GS500E

[Fatasianboy]

Hi guys,

I started to have electrical problems.
It began with my starter motor sounding weak and not turning the motor to start it, I thought it was a dead battery. So I second gear bump started it and it ran fine for my 20 minute ride. Got home charged the battery up and now the starter motor won't turn on at all. I disconnected the cable that goes out to the starter(thick black wire) from the selenoid and hooked up a DMM and the terminal was getting power out whenever I hit the starter button.

Then, whenever I hit the turn signal left or right, it clicks, stays on, the headlight and taillight both dim until I cancel and then the headlight and tail light both return to normal lighting power.

While trying to isolate the issue, I took the headlight off and disconnected the left hand controls. I tried hitting the starter and the seleoid clicks and shakes. I'm assuming it's opening and closing rapidly. So I disconnected the starter cable and hit the start button again and the seleoid clicks once and the DMM says its letting power through 8.7volts.

Also, the battery terminals have 13.6 volts when the bike is in the off position. Then I switch it to on and the voltage drops to 8 volts with everything hooked up. When I disconnect the left hand controls the voltage at the terminals is 12.7 in the on position and then I hit the starter button and check the selenoid power out side(where the thick black starter wire connects) and it only lets 8.7 volts out to the starter motor.

I bought a new starter motor and its on the way, as well as a new blinker relay.

[sledge]

Also, the battery terminals have 13.6 volts when the bike is in the off position. Then I switch it to on and the voltage drops to 8 volts with everything hooked up. When I disconnect the left hand controls the voltage at the terminals is 12.7 in the on position and then I hit the starter button and check the selenoid power out side(where the thick black starter wire connects) and it only lets 8.7 volts out to the starter motor.

I bought a new starter motor and its on the way, as well as a new blinker relay.

Suggest you cancel the order for the motor and relay and instead get a new battery..........yours is failing under load.

[rasusto]

Check the fluid level in the battery and the terminals for corrosion. If that doesn't fix the problem, you need a new battery.

[Fatasianboy]

Really? Okay! Ill go buy anew battery tomorrow and hope that works! thank you for the suggestion! Im really hoping thats the issue!

[Adshed]

Yep highly likely it's the battery, it shouldn't drop below ~9 volts when starting.

This is a nice guide to testing batteries :
http://www.yuasabatteries.com/faqs.php?action=1&id=30

Good luck and keep us posted. 

[Fatasianboy]

Solved the problem! I had a bad rectifier that let 18+ volts to my battery. Turns out my battery was dry and didn't have acid in it, I refilled with distilled water, ordered a new rectifier and viola! My bike runs like a champ once again. Thanks all!