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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: Archangel1183 on September 18, 2009, 12:52:26 AM

Title: Doesn't Crank or even Click Sometimes
Post by: Archangel1183 on September 18, 2009, 12:52:26 AM
My bike has been starting perfect for the last few months that I've owned it. Just today I went for a ride and I stopped and turned it off for about 5 mins. I went to turn in back on and it wouldn't turn over or click at all. My kill switch was set to on and the side stand was up. When I hit the starter switch the oil and neutral light would dim but nothing else. I rocked the bike back and forth, messed with the gears, messed with the kill switch, and the side stand switch, and it turned on.

I'm guessing that one of my switches is going out. Anyone have any suggestions as to how to find out which one?

Thanks
Title: Re: Doesn't Crank or even Click Sometimes
Post by: mister on September 18, 2009, 01:34:57 AM
Not an expert - but - double check your battery connection. Also, you don't have the dreaded "Park" option on your ignition do you, and happen to put it into Park - and thus drain your battery to keep the light on??

Michael
Title: Re: Doesn't Crank or even Click Sometimes
Post by: Archangel1183 on September 18, 2009, 08:57:51 AM
I forgot to mention that I checked the batter too.

I do have that option, but I never really lock the bike so I don't usually turn the key that far.

When It does turn on, it turns on fine. It doesn't sound sluggish like it would with a low battery.
Title: Re: Doesn't Crank or even Click Sometimes
Post by: BrianKD on September 18, 2009, 09:51:14 AM
I had that problem too. It was my starter switch. Check out this video on how to fix it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHm15O8Yd0E
Title: Re: Doesn't Crank or even Click Sometimes
Post by: Archangel1183 on September 20, 2009, 12:40:00 PM
Thanks for the very cool video. So far it's been starting fine. I guess I have to wait until the switch does it more often so I can test it, right?
Title: Re: Doesn't Crank or even Click Sometimes
Post by: AccidentalF on September 20, 2009, 01:11:33 PM
Check the clutch switch too. My fiance's bike did that a bunch.  It's easy to clean, and cheap to replace.
Title: Re: Doesn't Crank or even Click Sometimes
Post by: Archangel1183 on September 24, 2009, 12:28:38 PM
I haven't had time to check the switches, but I find it weird that it's kind of hard to change gear when the bike is cold. When it doesn't want to turn on, I mess around with the gears and it finally turns on. I'm wondering if the engine is sticking because the gears are sticking.

It might also have to do with the oil I used the last time I changed it. Has anyone used Castol 4T motorcycle oil?
http://www.castrol.com/castrol/sectiongenericarticle.do?categoryId=9022114&contentId=7040925
Title: Re: Doesn't Crank or even Click Sometimes
Post by: dohabee on September 24, 2009, 01:11:35 PM
I have used that oil and didn't notice any strange behavior.

now I just use car oil.
Title: Re: Doesn't Crank or even Click Sometimes
Post by: Archangel1183 on September 24, 2009, 05:46:00 PM
Alright, I messed with it some more and came to the conclusion that it's not the gears or the oil.

The bike turns on if I tilt it to the left, but won't turn on if I stand it up straight, or lean it to the right. I tried it many times to confirm it.

My switches seems to be working fine. I'm guessing something isn't making perfect contact. Any ideas what it might be? It's not the clutch switch, start switch, or kill switch. I'm guessing that the side stand switch is fine because the bike has the same problem when it's in neutral (side stand switch not needed).
Title: Re: Doesn't Crank or even Click Sometimes
Post by: oldmancolin on September 25, 2009, 10:36:29 AM
  When I went to pick up my bike after buying it it wouldn't start, there was power as the lights were on, but it would not turn over at all. Turns out that the little three prong diode that's hanging just behind the battery was loose, without that connection being good...nothing. It still does it to me now and then, you might give that a check. It's part #2 on the wiring harness diagram.