GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: sticks on April 09, 2009, 04:22:48 PM

Title: bike won't start -- not covered in the wiki
Post by: sticks on April 09, 2009, 04:22:48 PM
when i go to start my bike, i get one single click. not repeated clicking, as i would with a dead battery. the battery is fully charged (as near as i can tell anyways), the killswitch is set to "on", the oil and neutral lights are one, but when i turn the key i just get one single loud click per press of the starter button.

any ideas?  :dunno_white:

edit: just tried it again (im in the garage right now) and i get one click when i press on the starter button, and another when i release it.
Title: Re: bike won't start -- not covered in the wiki
Post by: jrains89 on April 09, 2009, 04:27:16 PM
you in gear? the kickstand down?
Title: Re: bike won't start -- not covered in the wiki
Post by: joshr08 on April 09, 2009, 04:30:17 PM
do all lights go out when you get the click?
Title: Re: bike won't start -- not covered in the wiki
Post by: sticks on April 09, 2009, 04:32:43 PM
in neutral, kickstand up

lights stay on, and don't even flicker
Title: Re: bike won't start -- not covered in the wiki
Post by: joshr08 on April 09, 2009, 04:34:16 PM
well that kinda rules out bad ground if your lights dont go out.   have you tryed to push start it?
Title: Re: bike won't start -- not covered in the wiki
Post by: sticks on April 09, 2009, 04:38:01 PM
haven't tried push starting it yet, no, i have bad experience doing that...


and after more investigation, the clicking is coming from what is apparently the starter relay

part 1A here:
http://www.mrcycles.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=92733&category=Motorcycles&make=Suzuki&year=1994&fveh=2103

and the fuse in there is still good.
Title: Re: bike won't start -- not covered in the wiki
Post by: joshr08 on April 09, 2009, 04:41:41 PM
to me it kinda sounds like your starter is locked up. 
Title: Re: bike won't start -- not covered in the wiki
Post by: sticks on April 09, 2009, 04:44:55 PM
is there anything i can do to un-lock it? or do i have to spring the dough for a new one?
Title: Re: bike won't start -- not covered in the wiki
Post by: joshr08 on April 09, 2009, 04:47:41 PM
im not sure that thats your problem it just sounds like it to me.  the click your hearing is the stater relay getting power to turn over the stater.  if you have a meter you should check to see if your getting power past the relay it may have crapped out on you.
Title: Re: bike won't start -- not covered in the wiki
Post by: sticks on April 09, 2009, 04:49:04 PM
i'm an electrical noob, what kind of meter? ohmmeter?
Title: Re: bike won't start -- not covered in the wiki
Post by: simoniz on April 09, 2009, 06:45:46 PM
If the starter is stuck, sometimes a sharp tap with a hammer on it can free it up - seriously.
Title: Re: bike won't start -- not covered in the wiki
Post by: jetboy287 on April 09, 2009, 06:49:54 PM
any kind of volt meter or even a test light
Title: Re: bike won't start -- not covered in the wiki
Post by: joshr08 on April 09, 2009, 06:57:04 PM
yes what jet said thanks guys i been watching the hockey game with the wife. check and see when you hit the start button if your getting power to the starter. 
Title: Re: bike won't start -- not covered in the wiki
Post by: fred on April 10, 2009, 12:09:39 AM
I'm going to go with dead battery. Push start it, drive to somewhere that can test your battery and probably buy a new battery. The battery can be too low to start the bike but still have plenty of power to keep the lights on and activate the solenoid. Start with the simple stuff first and make sure your battery is good.
Title: Re: bike won't start -- not covered in the wiki
Post by: dchrist on April 10, 2009, 06:16:11 AM
one loud click instead of the repeated clicks can be a bad side stand relay. the ground on my side stand sensor went and I had that same symptom. I bypassed it and no more problem except now the bike can start in gear with the kickstand down which is a  :nono:

anyway. that was my issue
Title: Re: bike won't start -- not covered in the wiki
Post by: The Buddha on April 10, 2009, 11:32:26 AM
All these guys are saying good courses of investigation. I only would add ... remove the plugs and put it in gear and turn the rear wheel by hand - yes put it in 6th gear.
If you dont have gas squirt from the chamber, you dont have hydrolock - that is good.
Cool.
Buddha.