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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: DrewBarrett on September 22, 2013, 12:15:42 PM

Title: Very ugly sound. Won't start.
Post by: DrewBarrett on September 22, 2013, 12:15:42 PM
Hey folks, back again with another bike issue. Tried starting my bike this morning and it made a very ugly sound. The best way to describe it is a loud clunk. This is also followed with a sort of buzzing sound that I think is the fuel pump? The clunky noise has me really worried though. Any idea what this might be? Am I looking at a major repair bill? My bike is a 2005 gs500f.
Thanks as always.
Title: Re: Very ugly sound. Won't start.
Post by: radodrill on September 22, 2013, 12:25:45 PM
The GS500 is carbureted so no fuel pump.

Does this sound occur only when you press the starter button?

Since you heard a buzzing sound, I'm guessing the starter motor is still working and probably the starter clutch has failed.
Title: Re: Very ugly sound. Won't start.
Post by: adidasguy on September 22, 2013, 02:34:38 PM
Does it sound like this in my video?

Title: Re: Very ugly sound. Won't start.
Post by: DrewBarrett on September 22, 2013, 04:44:37 PM
No, it doesn't sound like that. It sounds like a clunk... Like, metal on metal bashing. The buzzing sound is not loud like that.

And. Yes, it only happens when I try to start it with the button, and in neutral.
Title: Re: Very ugly sound. Won't start.
Post by: Janx101 on September 22, 2013, 04:59:50 PM
ummm another take on the sound...

is it a bit like if someone had a small spanner INSIDE the case and it goes 'thwack' on the internal walls? .. followed by a 'taktaktaktaktaktaktak' (really fast!) ?... dead or dying or low voltage battery
Title: Re: Very ugly sound. Won't start.
Post by: DrewBarrett on September 22, 2013, 05:34:31 PM
It definitely sounds like something is thwacking against something else. I'll try a battery.
Title: Re: Very ugly sound. Won't start.
Post by: Twisted on September 22, 2013, 05:39:21 PM
Try jump starting your bike from a switched off car. If it starts it is probably the battery. Mine used to do this when the battery was on the way out.
Title: Re: Very ugly sound. Won't start.
Post by: DrewBarrett on September 22, 2013, 05:40:45 PM
Thanks for the advice, much easier than trickle charging.
Title: Re: Very ugly sound. Won't start.
Post by: Dr.McNinja on September 22, 2013, 11:09:19 PM
Quote from: Twisted on September 22, 2013, 05:39:21 PM
Try jump starting your bike from a switched off car. If it starts it is probably the battery. Mine used to do this when the battery was on the way out.


The caveat here is that if he jump starts it with the car running he'll be taking a visit to the burn unit.

So if you do take this option - DO NOT charge it with the car running.
Title: Re: Very ugly sound. Won't start.
Post by: adidasguy on September 22, 2013, 11:16:18 PM
If things in the engine are turning, the battery is OK and no need to jump start.

If things are dead or the starter relay clicks of buzzes, then battery is low.

A video of the sound would help. But based on other's opinions, it sounds like the starter gear may be coming unbolted from the magnet rotor.

I'd suggest draining oil and take a look in the left side of the motor. You can briefly hit the starter with the oil out and cover off to see what happens and listen for the sound. Only for a second. No more.
Title: Re: Very ugly sound. Won't start.
Post by: Twisted on September 23, 2013, 03:43:15 AM
Quote from: Dr.McNinja on September 22, 2013, 11:09:19 PM
Quote from: Twisted on September 22, 2013, 05:39:21 PM
Try jump starting your bike from a switched off car. If it starts it is probably the battery. Mine used to do this when the battery was on the way out.


The caveat here is that if he jump starts it with the car running he'll be taking a visit to the burn unit.

So if you do take this option - DO NOT charge it with the car running.

I thought I made that pretty clear with the switched off car comment  :dunno_black:

Quote from: adidasguy on September 22, 2013, 11:16:18 PM
If things in the engine are turning, the battery is OK and no need to jump start.

If things are dead or the starter relay clicks of buzzes, then battery is low.

A video of the sound would help. But based on other's opinions, it sounds like the starter gear may be coming unbolted from the magnet rotor.

I'd suggest draining oil and take a look in the left side of the motor. You can briefly hit the starter with the oil out and cover off to see what happens and listen for the sound. Only for a second. No more.


The starter can sometimes turn the engine for a few revolutions then clank when the battery has low charge. This happened to mine. OP would be better off starting simple and seeing if it is his battery before draining oil and undoing engine parts. that can be done when this is ruled out :thumb:
Title: Re: Very ugly sound. Won't start.
Post by: BockinBboy on September 23, 2013, 06:24:43 AM
+ 1 on Twisted's comments.  I experienced same thing when my battery was on the way out as well.

- Bboy
Title: Re: Very ugly sound. Won't start.
Post by: Dr.McNinja on September 23, 2013, 07:50:29 AM
Quote from: Twisted on September 23, 2013, 03:43:15 AM
Quote from: Dr.McNinja on September 22, 2013, 11:09:19 PM
Quote from: Twisted on September 22, 2013, 05:39:21 PM
Try jump starting your bike from a switched off car. If it starts it is probably the battery. Mine used to do this when the battery was on the way out.


The caveat here is that if he jump starts it with the car running he'll be taking a visit to the burn unit.

So if you do take this option - DO NOT charge it with the car running.

I thought I made that pretty clear with the switched off car comment  :dunno_black:


You did, I just decided to ignore it for whatever reason.  :icon_eek:
Title: Re: Very ugly sound. Won't start.
Post by: DrewBarrett on September 23, 2013, 10:32:04 PM
Didn't have time to get anything done today. I'll try jumping it tomorrow and will let ya know what happens. With the car off. So I don't die. On a side note, I'm running under glow straight from the battery. I'm sure there's a more efficient way of doing this, but what is it?