So, I just bought this 1996 GS500 for $450. Sweet deal right? Thank you New England winter, and some guy hard up for cash.
The bike wouldn't start, and I couldn't get the tank open. The engine at least turned over so I figured all I needed was to get it warm, and a good carb cleaning.
So today with the recent warm weather, I thought I'd set an electric heater near the engine in the garage, and drill out the tank key so I could drain the tank. Drilling the tank was easy. Then I decided to start the engine a couple of times. Start button, turns over, no start... then I check all of the lights and accessories to make sure everything works. Hit the start button again, and then "Click" and the lights go off. Now the bike won't even turn on.
What the hell could I have done that would make it short? :dunno_white: There's no way drilling the tank could have done it. The only thing I can think of is that it was sitting in the cold snow before I bought it, and maybe it got some water in a place that it shouldn't have... any ideas?
Just as a data point: did your fuse blow? (Check [this old post (http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=14519.msg125122#msg125122)] for info.)
Not suggesting that you put the spare in yet, even if the fuse IS blown. (Best to know WHY it blew first, like you asked.) Just trying to see what we're starting with....
Thanks Kerry... I'll look for the bunched wires around the fork, and try to trace out all of my wiring since its new to me.
Got good battery charge? She may just be low on charge...
Also check the battery connections. If they are loose/ dirty it can do the very same thing to you.
if it just clicks that's battery. try jump starting or charge the battery then try again. good luck.
KaMeL
jsut remember KGB aka K nown G ood B attery :thumb:
sounds like im late to the battery suggestions party....
Good luck with the tank. Litle drastic on the drilling part if you ask me. but then im not fully aware of the entire situation.
1. I checked the fuse. It wasn't blown. I replaced it with a new one just in case. Nothing.
2. I replaced the battery with one off my EX500 that I've had on a tender for a month or two. Nothing. The battery already on the bike registers good voltage with my multimeter.
3. I've taken off my head light, and I'm tracing wires to look for an electrical short. Nothing yet, but I don't think it's getting pinched by the fork parts.
When I turn on the ignition I've got nothing. I mean no light, not even a dim one, and no accessories are on. So... :dunno_white:if you have any ideas, please share them. Thanks :)
Check the battery ground connection to the frame is good.
try bypassing the key. If you had power before and now you have established thats its not the fuse or battery then your on switch might have gotten screwed up there. try using jumper wire to test your starter and lights.
My buddy and I tried to op test all of the wiring, esp. around the starter relay. Some how we got power back on after fiddling around. Then hit the start button, heard the click on the starter relay, and then lost all power again. We're thinking that it's the starter relay. Could a messed up relay cause me to not have any power?
Yes it could but before condeming it make sure all the connections leading to it are clean and tight, also make sure the fuse is properly fitted and the spade connecters are also clean........disconnect the battery lead first, otherwise you might have some unwanted fireworks.
In case it will help ... have you seen the [Haynes '96 wiring diagram (http://bbburma.net/Scans/Haynes_WiringDiagram_US_90-96.jpg)]?
Thanks guys, we used the wiring diagram to chase down a few wires, but will have to go back out there just to make sure. Could dirty negative/ground connections prevent the bike from even getting power when I turn on the ignition?
We checked voltage between the positive battery and the ground location on the right underside of the transmission, and it came up about 12v. That's what lead me to believe that something in the relay might be messed up... will check more thoroughly though.
Hmmm ... well, how about we bypass the relay and test the battery connections at the same time?
Read through [this old post (http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=9304.msg76808#msg76808)] until you get to the third photo. Then touch a sturdy screwdriver across the two exposed bolts in the pic and see if the starter motor spins.
One step at a time....
Quote from: sledge on January 12, 2008, 10:02:57 AM
Check the battery ground connection to the frame is good.
Quote from: waltermax on January 12, 2008, 05:27:35 PM
Thanks guys, we used the wiring diagram to chase down a few wires, but will have to go back Could dirty negative/ground connections prevent the bike from even getting power when I turn on the ignition?
Yes
Quote from: waltermax on January 12, 2008, 05:27:35 PM
Thanks guys, we used the wiring diagram to chase down a few wires, but will have to go back out there just to make sure. Could dirty negative/ground connections prevent the bike from even getting power when I turn on the ignition?
if the circuit isnt completed then the electrical current has nowhere to go...thus you have no power..and it could be something as small as a fleck of paint...its weird how energy likes to take some paths but not others