SuzukiSavage.com - Print Page

SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl
General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> I dont decide when to start, my bike does
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1191026177

Message started by Robertomoe on 09/28/07 at 17:36:17

Title: I dont decide when to start, my bike does
Post by Robertomoe on 09/28/07 at 17:36:17

here's my problem: I was riding the bike all over town today, logged about an hour, then parked it. I felt like I wasnt done, so I went to the gas station to fill up. I filled her up, got back on, but suddenly, I only heard the dreaded single click. No turnover, nada. So I pushed the bike to the nearest hill I could find, put it in third, then pedaled as fast as I could. I got a few cranks out of it, but I failed to maintain it. Second try...I forgot to put the ignition on. Tired and defeated, I left the bike in gear, clutched and parked 90 degress to the curb, then let out the clutch. I was parking on a crowned road. I decided to just give it one more start and I clutched in, the bike rolled and bumped the curb...but more importantly, when I started it, the bike cranked! Two more tries (im not very good at starting it yet) and it was running. I rode it another 10 to 15 minutes, took her home and parked it. I tried again to start it to see if its a recurring problem. Sure enough, it is!

thoughts? reflections?

Title: Re: I dont decide when to start, my bike does
Post by Brewbrother on 09/28/07 at 17:52:18

battery and clean connections?? How old is the battery and are the connections clean. Can you see any green in the wiring where it emerges from the insulation??

Title: Re: I dont decide when to start, my bike does
Post by Robertomoe on 09/28/07 at 18:24:29

battery is about a week old, maybe 50 miles on it

Title: Re: I dont decide when to start, my bike does
Post by T-Mack1 on 09/28/07 at 19:38:14

Hope you have a voltmeter, you'll need it to troubleshoot. They're approx $10 to $15

Ok, There are two units that control starting. One is the decompression controller which is a timing circuit that first turns on the decompression solenoid then triggers the starter relay. The second is the starter relay ( I always use to call then starter solenoids but the book says relay. Basically same thing, electrically controlled switch).

The relay is under the seat. Check that to see if it's triggering, you should be able to hear the click. IF not, then feel for the click.

If it's clicking, then check the thick wires for good connections or corrosion. One wire goes from Positive battery lead to the relay. Other thick wire goes from relay to starter.

If the relay is not clicking, the check small yellow wire going to relay. Check for voltage after the decompression solenoid triggers. If you have voltage then the relay is bad. If no voltage, then suspect the Decompression controller.

Title: Re: I dont decide when to start, my bike does
Post by Kropatchek on 09/29/07 at 08:50:01

Robertomoe wrote:

battery is about a week old, maybe 50 miles on it

Tighten the battery terminals, both of them!

Title: Re: I dont decide when to start, my bike does
Post by Robertomoe on 09/29/07 at 12:53:28

Diagnosis: Murder, She Wrote

Short Story: it's fixed

Long(er) version:

The battery connections were tight. I was sure the voltage was high, cause on the last battery (which ended up with 9v) the starter still cranked even when the battery didnt have enough power to keep the lights going. So I opened up the seat looking for these relays and found the problem. One of the plastic connectors for the wiring (it was three wire, one yellow, along the right side) was unhooked and almost completely disconnected.

Problem solved! Its a wonder that I was able to get the bike back yesterday. Parking the bike uphill must have allowed gravity to barely connect the pieces together, enough for me to limp the bike home.

Is there a thumper god that I owe a sacrifice?

Title: Re: I dont decide when to start, my bike does
Post by Strafford_Guy on 10/02/07 at 18:11:42

You must pay homage to the mighty T-Mack1. would suggest fruits and vegetables or cash.