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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: Toogoofy317 on October 06, 2010, 11:06:36 AM

Title: Quick help won't start!
Post by: Toogoofy317 on October 06, 2010, 11:06:36 AM
When I start my bike it just clicks! It happened a couple of weeks ago after work I bump started it and has worked fine ever since. Now it is doing it again. The lights come on bright and the battery is just at a year old.

Quick help would be appreciated since I got stuff I got to get done and I'm at a frien'ds house with no acess to the car.

Mary
Title: Re: Quick help won't start!
Post by: centuryghost on October 06, 2010, 11:09:05 AM
Starter is not getting enough juice. Try cleaning your battery posts and see if that helps.
Title: Re: Quick help won't start!
Post by: kml.krk on October 06, 2010, 11:09:57 AM
recharge your battery. I am almost 100% sure it will help

best of luck!
Title: Re: Quick help won't start!
Post by: Toogoofy317 on October 06, 2010, 11:21:51 AM
well, cleaned off the posts and put the charger/ engine starter on it and still just "click" gonna let it sit for a bit though.

Any other hints or suggestions?

Mary
Title: Re: Quick help won't start!
Post by: Paulcet on October 06, 2010, 12:14:05 PM
Maybe clean/tighten the starter relay connections. Then the connections at the starter.

BTW. Welcome back. I hadn't seen you're posts for a while and was afraid you were back in the hospital.
Title: Re: Quick help won't start!
Post by: Toogoofy317 on October 06, 2010, 12:20:13 PM
been working like mad Halloween Horror Nights have started. Heart has been doing well thanks so much for caring!

Now, where exactly is the starter at. My manual is on my laptop at my house and I am at my friend's. Wish I woulda stored a copy on his external :wink:

Mary
Title: Re: Quick help won't start!
Post by: Paulcet on October 06, 2010, 12:31:34 PM
It's under the black cover just behind the cylinders.  Cover is curved, about 4" x 7", two screws holding it on.
Title: Re: Quick help won't start!
Post by: Toogoofy317 on October 06, 2010, 12:34:59 PM
So it is near the motor not where I'm hearing the clicking noise from. Wait that would be the solonoid causing the clicking right. Oh how I'm missing my manual atm. I took off the back fairing and one of the nubs that hold it on just came off yay more problems!

Is this what y0u are talking about (http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr264/Toogoofy317/P1010344.jpg)

Mary
Title: Re: Quick help won't start!
Post by: Paulcet on October 06, 2010, 12:48:51 PM
Now that you have the plastic off (sorry about the broken part) look for the stater relay. Youngish in shape, right side of the bike, in a rubber boot. About 1.5" in diameter. Two large wires going to it. Loosen those, wiggle them back and forth then tighten.

If that doesn't help, take the starter cover off (black cover in the lower part of this picture)
(http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h55/GDunlavey/DSCF0025idlescrew.jpg)
And check those connections.

EDIT: your pic is the starter relay. Do those before messing with the starter.
Title: Re: Quick help won't start!
Post by: scratch on October 06, 2010, 01:18:19 PM
Check the electrolyte (fluid) level in the battery.
Title: Re: Quick help won't start!
Post by: Firstoni on October 06, 2010, 01:18:58 PM
Just outa curiosity if you jump the solenoid does it start (my favorite tool to do this was the handle of a crescent wrench, it'll spark, be warned)  if it does start I would just say the solenoid has gone bad... especially if it push starts....
Title: Re: Quick help won't start!
Post by: Toogoofy317 on October 06, 2010, 03:04:08 PM
Ahhh, tried the screwdriver over the solenoid nothing, checked solenoid connections cleaned and put back, checked starter connections look good and are tight!

:dunno_black:

Mary
Title: Re: Quick help won't start!
Post by: Firstoni on October 06, 2010, 03:14:41 PM
It doesn't start if you jump the solenoid and all your connections are good but it will bump start and battery has a good charge, I would say your starter is bad.   Anyone else have any ideas?
Title: Re: Quick help won't start!
Post by: Toogoofy317 on October 06, 2010, 03:20:20 PM
well, I still have the extended warranty on the bike the co-pay is $50 but that covers parts and labor. Think I should just take it into the shop and let them deal with it?

Mary
Title: Re: Quick help won't start!
Post by: Paulcet on October 06, 2010, 03:26:03 PM
I guess you could do voltage checks. Meter on battery, try to start: should see voltage drop to 10-11 volts. Then  meter on solenoid terminals and try to start: should see voltage go from ~13 volts before pushing the button down to 0 volts while pushing the button. Then meter on the starter terminal and the engine block: should see 10-11 volts while pushing the button.
Title: Re: Quick help won't start!
Post by: Firstoni on October 06, 2010, 04:43:28 PM
Good call paulcet, ya can do the meter checks ... other then that ... maybe a shop will test the starter for you... make sure your extended warranty covers the starter and if so I would say go for it....   I like to do work myself but if I where paying for something like that, I would take advantage of it.
Title: Re: Quick help won't start!
Post by: Toogoofy317 on October 06, 2010, 05:22:08 PM
Well looks like the wire between the starter and the relay had infinite resistance. Due to user error :technical:

So, I'm guessing there was a loose wire to cause this symptom first!

Flick's all better now!

Mary
Title: Re: Quick help won't start!
Post by: Firstoni on October 06, 2010, 05:24:14 PM
Hurray!
Title: Re: Quick help won't start!
Post by: kml.krk on October 06, 2010, 06:54:32 PM
awesome. I am happy you found your problem. I still can't fix mine.
Will do some carb inspection on Saturday.
Title: Re: Quick help won't start!
Post by: Paulcet on October 06, 2010, 08:36:31 PM
And saved yourself $50?   :thumb:
Title: Re: Quick help won't start!
Post by: Toogoofy317 on October 07, 2010, 07:50:44 AM
I can't farkin believe this! So I put the bike back together. Went together easy to easy I guess. Didn't quite get the cable in the slot and when I put the seat on it pops out. I can't open the seat. Screw it I say I can at least ride it to school! Put the key in the ignition CLICK CLICK CLICK! WTF :technical: :technical: :technical: :technical: :technical: :technical:

Mary
Title: Re: Quick help won't start!
Post by: sledge on October 07, 2010, 01:16:57 PM
The battery is the weak link, you need to be 100% sure its servicable and rule it out of the problem, otherwise you will be chasing what you think are bad grounds and poor connections forever.

Static voltage readings mean very little, its how the battery performs when it has to deliver current that matters. First thing........ visualy check the electrolyte levels in each cell as previously mentioned by scratch, if they are below the level lines top up with distilled water, recharge and try again. If they are within the level lines take the battery to a shop and get it load tested. This test will replicate the conditions the battery is put under when it has to power the starter and turn the engine over. If the test proves the battery to be ok you can move on and look elsewhere, if its not ok, the solution is obvious.........the battery has died and has to be replaced.
Title: Re: Quick help won't start!
Post by: Toogoofy317 on October 07, 2010, 11:09:56 PM
Battery is fine tested and all. Took it all apart again. Went to take the starter out but the two bolts were corroded and broke off. When I did that the bike now works fine! Gotta find the tool to get the bolts out but not sure what made it work.  :dunno_black:

Mary
Title: Re: Quick help won't start!
Post by: kml.krk on October 08, 2010, 09:11:04 AM
seems like those 04s have something ghostly to them  ;)
hope you will find your issue soon!!
Title: Re: Quick help won't start!
Post by: sledge on October 08, 2010, 01:18:58 PM
So, let me get this right?......you have disturbed the starter motor?......and now the starter motor works?