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Message started by homesickalien on 07/31/05 at 16:35:42

Title: intermittent problem starting bike
Post by homesickalien on 07/31/05 at 16:35:42

Hi,
I've got a problem where sometimes (seems it's more often when there has been damp weather) the bike will not start. It will not even turn over. Most of the time it's fine, however, it's unreliable enough to the point where I can't take it anywhere unless I know there's a hill to push start it on to get me back home :) There is no problem with the battery. All lights turn on bright. It's as if one of the safety switches (Clutch, Neutral, Kick stand) occasionally has a problem and just won't allow the starter to do it's job. It's times like this when I really wish they still made bikes with kick starters. I'm considering taking my bike into the shop because everytime I have a few minutes to work on the bike, it starts fine and I can't troubleshoot the problem. I'm not sure if the repair center will be able to reproduce the problem either.

Are they any common issues that cause this that I could try first?

Thanks :)
Trevor

Title: Re: intermittent problem starting bike
Post by bentwheel on 07/31/05 at 17:55:01

homesickalien wrote:

Are they any common issues that cause this that I could try first?

Thanks :)
Trevor

You have already named the first issues to check. Get in there and check those switches. Clean them with WD40 and check the wires closely.

Title: Re: intermittent problem starting bike
Post by homesickalien on 07/31/05 at 19:44:30

Thanks, I've managed to find the kick stand switch already and I tried to bypass it . It seems to be ok. However, I've been unable to find the other switches to test using the Clymer manual. My biggest problem still remains that I'm unable to troubleshoot in a timely manner because the problem occurs infrequently, and only seems to happen when I don't have the time to troubleshoot it. When I actually have time, it starts up fine. I was hoping someone might be able to point me in the right direction of being able to diagnose the problem, when the problem isn't occuring. I thought there might be some known issues with these bikes, and that I might be able to look for some signs of these known problems even when the bike is starting fine. I'm incredibly frustrated. I just want to be able to ride without needing a hill to get me home :)

Thanks,
Trevor

Title: Re: intermittent problem starting bike
Post by WD on 08/01/05 at 07:11:15

Simple...Check the wiring connectors under the seat. They are clear vinyl covered bullet connectors. That can vibrate enough to deform the cover a little bit, allowing water to enter the circuit and cause a temporary short to the frame. Mine used to do that. Make sure the connectors are tight, wrap them with tape, wash the bike with the seat off, and see if it starts. Worked on my 98.

It also helps to tape the harness plug where the CDI plugs into the main harness, under the left side cover/edge of seat area. I'm assuming you'd rather not rewire the bike to the standards it should have been initially?
-WD

Whatever happened to kicksarters, tinned wires, soldered connections, and points? Oh yeah, it used to be about motorcycles, now it's about money and a fashion show.

Title: Re: intermittent problem starting bike
Post by Trevor (Homesickalien) on 08/02/05 at 09:01:02

I checked the other connectors under the seat at the same time I checked the kick stand switch. I did not wrap them in tape an dI will.

However, this problem does not happen only when it's wet. It has started before and allowed me to drive up the street to the gas station. I'd fill up, then the bike wouldn't start and I'd have to walk the bike back home. Very frustrating.

Does anyone have any other ideas?

Also, does anyone know of a kick start kit for the LS650?

Title: Re: intermittent problem starting bike
Post by WD on 08/02/05 at 21:31:02

No way you're putting a functional kicker on it. At least not unless/until you engineer a way to do it.

If it croaks after filling up with fuel, I'd suggest you run some gas out the tap into a clean baby food jar and check for water contamination, particulate (rust/rubber chip) contamination. Both the tank steel and the rubber fuel line are pretty cut-rate (especially the vacuum line the factory uses as fuel line). The tank on my 98 was delivered with rust already forming in it. >:(
-WD

Title: Re: intermittent problem starting bike
Post by homesickalien on 08/06/05 at 06:59:28

Thanks WD but that's not the problem. When the problem occurs, the engine doesn't even turn over. It's definitely not a fuel problem. It's likely either an electrical issue or a mechanical issue with one of the switches causing one of the safety circuits to be incomplete. However, the manual provides:

1. very little information about troubleshooting an engine that won't turn over. It basically just states to check the battery before moving on to fuel and ignition problems.

2. very little information about these safety switches and their locations.

Anyone else have any ideas? I'm really sick of not being able to ride this season and if I take the bike into the shop I'm pretty sure they aren't going to be able to do anything for me unless they can duplicate the problem, which isn't likely.

Thanks,
Trevor

Title: Re: intermittent problem starting bike
Post by Ed_L. on 08/06/05 at 07:23:40

I have found spider webs in the starter button and connectors on my '02. If you take the starter button apart be real careful, there are a lot of small springs and things that can get lost. Check the big harness connector under the front of the tank, mine was loose and gave simular starting problems. Luck on it,

Title: Re: intermittent problem starting bike
Post by slavy on 08/06/05 at 08:13:23

You are giving very little to work with, but like a rule the first thing to by-pass is the clutch switch - as the name says it is under the clutch lever. You will see 2 wires comming from the left handlebar subharness and connecting with this switch. Disconnect the connector and put a paper clip between the 2 wires. After that make sure everything is secure and insulate.
Good luck !

Title: Re: intermittent problem starting bike
Post by Hammy211 on 08/06/05 at 12:02:03

When it doesn't turn over are you sure the lights are still on?

Title: Re: intermittent problem starting bike
Post by threezukes on 08/06/05 at 16:54:22

When I bought my 86' about a year ago it had a shiny new starter switch on it. This might be one of the common problem with Savages.