Intermittent starter problem

[Battman]

Hey everyone I have a 2006 gs500f with about 12,000 mi. I have recently been having some issues with the starter system. New stator, reg/ rectifier and battery last year. im not sure what's going on or how to test but every now and then when I press the start button nothing happens no click or anything just dims the lights for a second. After a few tries it will start up but this has been happening more frequently lately. Anyone have any ideas or had this happen before?
Thanks in advance

[Watcher]

Check your bettery terminals for corrosion or a loose connection.
I'd also get the battery tested.

[Battman]

No corrosion battery is good thank you tho

[mr72]

If you are certain of the battery, then the starter is bad. Check the voltage at the battery terminals when it is charged. Should be over 12.6v. While running the voltage at the terminals should be over 14v if the charging system is working. Rule that out, then it's the starter.

It's easy enough to refurb yourself if you're handy, or replace.

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[Battman]

That was what I was thinking just wanted to make sure I wasn't overlooking something and buying the wrong parts. Thanks mr72

[sledge]

Faulty battery.
Poor ground connection.
Poor terminal connections to battery
Poor connections cable to crimped lugs
Poor connection to solenoid.
Poor connection to starter motor
Internal fault with solenoid, (burnt contacts or coil breaking down)
Faulty starter motor. Dirty comm' , sticking brushes, winding breaking down, dry or failed bushes.
Sticking starter gear

I wouldn't rule any of those out. You need to systematically examine and test everything


Or you could just take a guess 

[Battman]

Any ideas on narrowing it down? Multimeter the connections?

[mr72]

Any ideas on narrowing it down? Multimeter the connections?

I'd guess 95% it's a bad starter.

Google and the factory service manual will walk you through all of this testing if you are so inclined. It's not a bad idea but given the very low resistance of the starter and the tight quarters it is easy to make mistakes, draw wrong conclusions and short things connected straight to the battery. Normally you remove the starter from the bike to test. I advise you don't do that until you are prepared to put a reconditioned starter back in, even if you fix the one that's currently in it, because there's such a high probability that the starter is faulty.

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[Battman]

ow when you say starter you mean the starter motor not the solenoid?

[mr72]

Yes starter means starter and not relay.

[J_Walker]

Starter solenoid failure will either Keep turning the starter itself, even with the key off and kill switch on. or just fail to turn over at all, no lights dimming, I believe it's probably a faulty ground.

[sledge]

MR72 I wouldn't guess at anything, particularly when it's someone else's time and money involved 

The way to approach and diagnose issues like this is to systematically examine and test all components and methodicaly work through and identify and the problem. NOT to make guesses.

Yes it could be the starter motor but yes it could also be something as simple as a poor connection somewhere. How would you feel if he went out and spent hundreds on a new starter motor then discovered a dirty connection? Does this scenario even concern you?

You have owned 1 GS5 for 2 years, About 65-70 have passed through my hands in the last 20. I have replaced far more solenoids and discovered far more poor connections than I have replaced starter motors,

O/P........It's your call!

[J_Walker]

oh and if the starter solenoid failed, CHECK THE R/R!

It seems to be a Suzuki problem. I've been told otherwise though, my experiences are with Suzukis mainly. but if the starter solenoid fails, I've seen the r/r be either the direct cause [being already failed] or to go not soon after. idk about why the two parts seem to go together, but my experience has been this.

https://www.dbelectrical.com/products/starter-solenoid-relay-500-gs500-gs500e-gs500f-suzuki-1989-2009.html?mrkgcl=1145&mrkgadid=3179549520&product_id=SMU6081&adpos=1o1&creative=196860178271&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6J7YBRC4ARIsAJMXXsd9PNXTrwF55CoL9IpedP27Avkz0HkTUtvgrsFFL1od9aU0yr_udNAaAidgEALw_wcB

Solenoid - Have ordered through them, SUPER FAST shipping in my experience. and the parts are direct fit.

for the r/r ebay actually. normally find what ever has freeshipping, the wires are the same color as OEM wires [to make sure you're getting an OEM part, the none OEM ones seem to have yellow wires instead. avoid those] also pay attention to the thickness of the part in the picture, and the mounting holes, if it's got two Oval shaped holes, avoid that too. get them like the OEM one, one round hole, one oval shaped hole.

I normally pay 19 bucks, and make sure the vendor is in my country [USA] for fastest shipping. otherwise you wait 3 weeks for a part you needed yesterday.

luckily with a failed R/R. with a good new battery, and a charger, you can plug your bike in at night to charge it, and run the bike all day on just the battery. [done it on the GS for a week plus]

the r/r is there to charge the battery, and control the charge voltage. basically keeping it topped up, so you could technically delete it and the bike run just fine. of course this isn't a good long term solution.

[mr72]

I guess I assume most home mechanics will at least check the starter before buying another one. Check the most likely thing first, that's how I prefer to spend my time. But as you say, I'm far from an expert.

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[Battman]

Thanks for all the input. It's just hard to test when it only happens occasionally and usually when I'm not at home. I'll keep you posted if anything changes as always thanks for all the help guys