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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: missaero on October 05, 2010, 05:44:41 AM

Title: Not starting
Post by: missaero on October 05, 2010, 05:44:41 AM
Hi all,

I had my bike out Sunday and was coming along a highway at about 65, going up and incline. GS sounded like it was struggling a bit so I down shifted. This made her happy temporarily before making putt putt noises and dying.  After a few unsuccessful no starts, I tried starting on prime. Fired right up and we were off again - still in prime. I had no other issues and got back to town. I tried starting the GS Sunday night and it refused to get going. Sounded like it was trying to turn over but that was it. At that point I killed my battery. Gave the battery some juice overnight and tried starting again this morning, same thing... just cranking but the engine doesn't fire up.

I'm new to troubleshooting so where is a good place to start?

Thanks all!
Title: Re: Not starting
Post by: Twisted on October 05, 2010, 05:47:53 AM
This sounds like my GS when it has run out of fuel. You haven't run out of petrol have you lol? Have you tried starting the bike with the fuel switch on reserve?
Title: Re: Not starting
Post by: missaero on October 05, 2010, 06:50:57 AM
Got fuel. Tried all positions on the switch... :mad:
Title: Re: Not starting
Post by: rger8 on October 05, 2010, 07:11:35 AM
Maybe a vacuum thing going on? :dunno_black:

Keep us posted when you find out! :)
Title: Re: Not starting
Post by: scratch on October 05, 2010, 09:48:25 AM
Or, you flooded the engine.  Check your oil level, and smell your oil.

Edit: Wait, put the petcock to PRIme, tap the floatbowls with the butt end of a scrwedriver lightly; listen for fuel filling the floatbowls, then open one of the floatbowl drainscrews to see if you are getting gas to both floatbowls and potentially flush out any debris.

Then check your oil.  And, smell it.

2nd Edit: Oh yeah, and open your gas tank (then close it)(I suspect that you experienced the 'fuel starvation' problem).
Title: Re: Not starting
Post by: Twism86 on October 05, 2010, 09:57:53 AM
Perhaps run on the reserve setting? Thats how i roll...
Title: Re: Not starting
Post by: missaero on October 05, 2010, 02:03:43 PM
scratch,
Will try what you mentioned and report back!
Title: Re: Not starting
Post by: missaero on October 06, 2010, 05:40:47 AM
Well... just for fun I tried to start it this morning and after one bad attempt I got some firing. Tried one more time and she came to life. With full choke she was idling at around 2500, a bit low but it has been super cold lately. Will try it again later and take it for a ride maybe.