Hi,

My bike is not starting.  I haven't ridden much in the past month, and it did get knocked over once since the last time I had it running.

I charged the battery, and even tried jump starting it with my car just in case it needed a little extra power.  It sounds like it's trying to start (not clicking sound, but normal starter sound), but just won't turn over.  What is most surprising and concerning is that I haven't been able to bump-start it, and that's always worked in the past.

Any ideas of what I might try before getting it towed to a mechanic?  Thanks,

--Jon

does it have gas??

Check the cable that tells the bike that the clutch is in. If the sensor isn't working, the bike won't turn over even with the clutch in. Also, will it turn over and not start or what? Do the lights come on?

Which side was it dropped on?

Scott

check the sensor on the side stand....if the side stand isn't pushing the sensor the bike will not turn over....


basicly, check the sensors and if everything is OK then take out the spark plugs and try starting the bike (it want start) but if it turns over without the spark plugs then you had alot of fuel inside the cylinders and that's why it didn't turn over...

The bike went down on the right side.

If I don't raise the kick-stand, then it doesn't make any starting sounds at all, but when the stand is up, it sounds like it's trying to start, but just won't turn over.  So I'm pretty sure it's not the kick-stand sensor.

How do I check the clutch sensor?  I recently replaced the clutch lever -- could that be related?

I'll try taking out the spark plugs.  Should the bike start without the spark plugs?  Is the reason to remove the plugs to allow the potentially flooded cylinders to air out?

What does the fact that it won't bump start indicate?

--Jon

If the bike went down on the right side then you MAY have messed up the ignition parts behind the round, right side cover.  There is a "whirling thingie" that times the spark to your plugs, as well as some pickup sensors and wiring.

Start by making sure you're getting a spark from each plug.  Unscrew each plug, put the spark plug wire back on, and touch the metal end to the engine block as you push the starter button.  You should see a definite spark jumping the gap.  (Hint: You may get a nice shock if you hold the spark plug against the engine with your hand.  Try to use something insulated.)

If one or both plugs fail to put out a spark, come back and we'll work from there.  The problem may be as simple as tightening some connections under the right cover, but it could get a little more involved as well.

it would be wierd if it's the ignition coil... cuase i skid my bike about 40ft on my right side... suzuki decal came off... there is this big hole... and i can see this thing moving... but the bike still rides like a charm... ^^ suzuki people are good...

I don't suspect the coils themselves, since they're up under gas tank on the inside of the frame.  But depending on what kind of "jolt" the bike got, the electricals behind that right-side cover may not be sending a signal TO the coils.

Another thing, make sure the battery is fully charged.  Perhaps it had a hard time starting the first few times and you wore the battery down.  Now it barely wants to turn over?

ASLAM.

OK if the bike is turning over but the thing isn't starting... and battery is powerful and it fell over... I suspect hydrolock... take out the spark plugs and turn it over with starter... if it spits gas from spark plug hole... its hydrolock. Lucky you didn't bend a rod or something. The put the plugs back in and try to start it.
Cool.
Srinath.

Quote from: jwylerThe bike went down on the right side.

If I don't raise the kick-stand, then it doesn't make any starting sounds at all, but when the stand is up, it sounds like it's trying to start, but just won't turn over.  So I'm pretty sure it's not the kick-stand sensor.

How do I check the clutch sensor?  I recently replaced the clutch lever -- could that be related?

I'll try taking out the spark plugs.  Should the bike start without the spark plugs?  Is the reason to remove the plugs to allow the potentially flooded cylinders to air out?

What does the fact that it won't bump start indicate?

--Jon

so, the bike has power (battery) but doesn't turn over...once again, take the plugs out and then press the start button (no, it will not start but if it turns over this time, then it was hydrolocked)

if that doesn't help..make sure that the bike is in neutral...when you said that when you have the kickstad down the bike doesn't do anything, but when it's up then it makes a clicking noise....i'm about 90% sure you have a problem with your neutral sensor....first let the clutch out and see if the bike roll's...if it roles with the clutch let out then the bike is in neutral...it if doesn't start after that you have a problem with the electronics and sensors

You replaced the clutch lever... ok on a pre 96 bike you needed to have unscrewed the clutch sensor unit, then put the lever in and then put the sensor back in... else its screwed up... post 96 I believe you can swap the lever wihtout thinking about the switch... it automagically fixes itself.
Cool.
Srinath.

From Jon's first post:

Quote from: jwylerIt sounds like it's trying to start (not clicking sound, but normal starter sound), but just won't turn over.  What is most surprising and concerning is that I haven't been able to bump-start it, and that's always worked in the past.

No clicking, engine is spinning, just not firing up.

Nobody else thinks it might be bad spark / ignition system?

He said not turning over... I interpret that to be... the starter goes whirr whirrrrrrrr whirrrrrrrrrnnnnn... but doesn't succeed in getting the motor turning quick enough.
Cool.
Srinath.

Quote from: KerryFrom Jon's first post:

Quote from: jwylerIt sounds like it's trying to start (not clicking sound, but normal starter sound), but just won't turn over.  What is most surprising and concerning is that I haven't been able to bump-start it, and that's always worked in the past.

No clicking, engine is spinning, just not firing up.

Nobody else thinks it might be bad spark / ignition system?

he didn't explain good...he said it's not a clicking sound, but normal starter sound but doesn't turn over  
it's either turning over or not turning over at all...how can it sound like it want's to start if the engine isn't turning over  
maybe i just don't get it  :dunno:

Haven't had a chance to try with the spark plugs out -- I'll try tomorrow, but perhaps I'm mis-using the term "turning over."  What I meant is that every thing sounds normal short of it actually starting.  Sounds like the motor starts to spin at least a little bit.  

I didn't encounter any sensor connection when I swapped the clutch lever.

This "hydrolock" phenomenon -- if the engine is flooded, shouldn't it air out eventually on its own?  It's been a couple of weeks since it was knocked over.

I'll try starting without the spark plugs tomorrow and let you know how it goes...

--Jon

just make sure you take out the plugs and put the spark plug wires back on the spark plug even though they are not screwed in the cyl head and put the plug on the side of the engine....this way you will see if there is a spark and you will not burn your coil like i did  :x

Flooding actually refers to carbs... when flooded the carbs will send liquid fuel into the motor... and kill the spark... The hydrolock thing is where the gas fills up the cylinder when carbs overflow and when you try to start the gas isn't compressible... and its taking up volume... and it can get bad enough to bend a connecting rod...
Cool.
Srinath.

So I took out the plugs and tried starting it, and no fuel came out, so it appears it is not hydrolock.

Then I tested for sparks, and both plugs sparked just fine outside the cylinders.  I could also see movement of the pistons through the plug hole, so I assume the starter motor is working.

As far as the clutch sensor, I did not have to do anything with that while changing the lever, even though it is a pre-96 bike, unless I missed something there.  How would I test to see if that is the problem?

It isn't the kick stand sensor.

I charged the battery before my last try, and the battery is only a year old, so I don't think that's the problem.

The tank is pretty full, and I've tried starting on all three fuel settings, so I don't think it's lack of gas.

I still am puzzled by the fact that it won't bumpstart.  I've had problems starting from time-to-time in the past, but never been unable to bumpstart it.  Do you think this might indicate something?

Now what?  Thanks for your help on this, guys...

ok, now your engine IS turning over and there is a spark...everything there is good......now the only problem that i can thing of is FUEL

asuming your timing is good, your bike may be lacking fuel...try this

put the petcock on ON and then draing both float bowls all the way untill fuel stops drainging from them...then put the bike on PRI and wait a minute or so...then (while on PRI) try draining the float bowls again but not all the way....just drain them a little to make sure there there is fuel inside of them...if the fuel comes out of the float bowls after you drained them all the way then you have a good fuel flow to the carbs...

is the bike doesn't start after you did that then it could be a bad chocke cable....try this: put the petcock on PRI and pull the chocke all the way...then twist the throttle a little while you are cranking the engine

hopefully this helps