GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: mattford11 on February 11, 2006, 05:21:38 PM

Title: Bike Not starting Advice welcomed
Post by: mattford11 on February 11, 2006, 05:21:38 PM
Good afternoon folks,

Bike: 04 GS500F
Where: Sacramento, CA
Whats wrong: Bike wouldn't start this morning. Headlights barely lit up. :( I attempted to charge the battery, but no love. Fluid inside battery was ok. I went out and bought a new battery, just so I could ride on such a nice day, but that did'nt help either. All my panel lights work now, headlights bright as day, but still no cranking. Ive made sure the kill switch was off, put bike in 1st,2nd,etc,Neutral; made sure clutch was working, fuel was on, kickstand switch depressed, nothing works. The bike doesnt even attempt to start. :(

Thoughts?

Thanks!

Matt
Title: Re: Bike Not starting Advice welcomed
Post by: annguyen1981 on February 11, 2006, 05:23:09 PM
if the headlight barely lit up, then I'd say faulty battery.  try jumping your bike from a car with cables.
Title: Re: Bike Not starting Advice welcomed
Post by: mattford11 on February 11, 2006, 05:25:53 PM
" I went out and bought a new battery, just so I could ride on such a nice day, but that did'nt help either. All my panel lights work now, headlights bright as day, but still no cranking "

:(
Title: Re: Bike Not starting Advice welcomed
Post by: Phaedrus on February 11, 2006, 05:49:54 PM
Is the clutch cable connection tight? If it isn't plugged in secure enough, the bike won't start. Even if you think it is tight, check it and push it in a little tighter just to be sure.
Title: Re: Bike Not starting Advice welcomed
Post by: mattford11 on February 11, 2006, 06:18:44 PM
I almost thought it was too tight for a little while. I can move thru gears pretty well, but I'll double check that.... brb. :)
Title: Re: Bike Not starting Advice welcomed
Post by: mattford11 on February 11, 2006, 06:23:21 PM
Clutch = AOK
Bike = still not attempting to start :(
Title: Re: Bike Not starting Advice welcomed
Post by: GeeP on February 11, 2006, 06:39:46 PM
I believe the starter circuit is the same year-to-year.  (96 to 04 specifically)  If it is, this applies:

Kickstand down, clutch pulled in, in neutral, kill switch in "run".

Do you hear a "click" when you depress the starter button?

If you do, the safety interlock interlock circuit is operational, and it's either the engine ground or starter line.

If don't hear a click, check for loose connections on the starter relay.  Then check for interlock circuit continuity.

Go buy a manual! 8)
Title: Re: Bike Not starting Advice welcomed
Post by: mattford11 on February 11, 2006, 07:02:31 PM
Quote from: GeeP on February 11, 2006, 06:39:46 PM
I believe the starter circuit is the same year-to-year.  (96 to 04 specifically)  If it is, this applies:

Kickstand down, clutch pulled in, in neutral, kill switch in "run".

Do you hear a "click" when you depress the starter button?

If you do, the safety interlock interlock circuit is operational, and it's either the engine ground or starter line.

If don't hear a click, check for loose connections on the starter relay.  Then check for interlock circuit continuity.

Go buy a manual! 8)

No Clicks present when attempting to start the bike

Title: Re: Bike Not starting Advice welcomed
Post by: Toledo Jim on February 11, 2006, 08:58:59 PM
Quote from: Phaedrus
Is the clutch cable connection tight? If it isn't plugged in secure enough, the bike won't start. Even if you think it is tight, check it and push it in a little tighter just to be sure.
Quote from: mattford11
"I almost thought it was too tight for a little while. I can move thru gears pretty well, but I'll double check that.... brb.  "

Clutch = AOK
Bike = still not attempting to start :(

I believe Phaedrus meant you should check the electrical connection under the clutch perch.
Title: Re: Bike Not starting Advice welcomed
Post by: Phaedrus on February 11, 2006, 09:02:57 PM
I don't know the fancy word like "clutch perch"  :icon_razz: but I am talking about the electrical connection on the handlebars by the clutch lever. I had a problem very similar to what you describe and it turned out that the electrical contact had vibrated itself just loose enough so the bike wouldn't start, but not loose enough so it was visibly noticable.  :thumb:
Title: Re: Bike Not starting Advice welcomed
Post by: Toledo Jim on February 11, 2006, 09:16:33 PM
O.K. how about clutch switch then. :bowdown:

Check this thread, (look at what Kerry had to say)

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=8615.0
Title: Re: Bike Not starting Advice welcomed
Post by: mattford11 on February 11, 2006, 09:55:38 PM
:OOOOOOOOoooooooooo


It didnt even look like it was it out at all, but I pushed it in a hair, and


IT LIVES!!!!!

OMGBBQSAUCE

I <3 GSTwins.com

Thanks again guys!
Title: Re: Bike Not starting Advice welcomed
Post by: Phaedrus on February 11, 2006, 09:58:28 PM
Thanks nsp for clarifying that  :thumb: I pretty much knew what the problem was, just had a hard time getting it out.  :laugh:

Glad the bike is going  :thumb:
Title: Re: Bike Not starting Advice welcomed
Post by: rtcpenguin on February 11, 2006, 11:38:44 PM
Quote from: mattford11 on February 11, 2006, 09:55:38 PM
:OOOOOOOOoooooooooo


It didnt even look like it was it out at all, but I pushed it in a hair, and


IT LIVES!!!!!

OMGBBQSAUCE

I <3 GSTwins.com

Thanks again guys!
Okay what the f%$k does that that mean
Title: Re: Bike Not starting Advice welcomed
Post by: Toledo Jim on February 12, 2006, 02:52:40 AM
Quote from: Phaedrus on February 11, 2006, 09:58:28 PM
Thanks nsp for clarifying that  :thumb: I pretty much knew what the problem was, just had a hard time getting it out.  :laugh:

Glad the bike is going  :thumb:

+1 on fixing the problem! :thumb:

Your welcome, and get the credit for the solve! :cheers:

I knew what you meant because it also happened to me one of the times I dropped my '92. :oops: :mad: and searching this site and finding one of  :bowdown: Kerry's :bowdown: posts is what got it fixed for me.
Title: Re: Bike Not starting Advice welcomed
Post by: Toledo Jim on February 12, 2006, 02:59:50 AM
Quote from: rtcpenguin on February 11, 2006, 11:38:44 PM
Quote from: mattford11 on February 11, 2006, 09:55:38 PM
:OOOOOOOOoooooooooo


It didnt even look like it was it out at all, but I pushed it in a hair, and


IT LIVES!!!!!

OMGBBQSAUCE

I <3 GSTwins.com

Thanks again guys!
Okay what the f%$k does that that mean

I think the <3 should be an emoticon for a heart maybe?