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SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Won't start, won't run... help! (Fixed!) /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1219088093 Message started by ZeroStar on 08/18/08 at 12:34:53 |
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Title: Won't start, won't run... help! (Fixed!) Post by ZeroStar on 08/18/08 at 12:34:53 So I went on vacation for 2 weeks. Left my bike in the garage. When I went to start it this morning, it started really hard, and was acting like it wasn't getting enough gas. I let it idle for a bit with the throttle cranked to keep it alive for what I thought was sufficient warm up. Started down my driveway... putt putt dead. Spent the next hour trying to start it again with no luck (obviously not constant, I let it sit for intervals of time in case it was flooded, etc). Finally had my dad come and help me push it down the driveway for a rolling start. Got it running, and made it halfway around the block before it died, once again acting like it was starving for gas even though the throttle was almost full open. The gas tank is about half full, choke doesn't seem to make a difference... any ideas? Also, I'm mechanically retarded, and have only had the bike for about 2 weeks before going on vacation so I'm completely at a loss. |
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Title: Re: Won't start, won't run... help! Post by mornhm on 08/18/08 at 12:43:44 I would suggest checking the battery and connections before going any further. |
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Title: Re: Won't start, won't run... help! Post by verslagen1 on 08/18/08 at 12:45:13 Try it on prime, check for gas in the vac line. had it for 2 weeks, sat for 2 weeks, may have needed a carb clean when you got it, also gas could be stale, drain and replace. |
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Title: Re: Won't start, won't run... help! Post by ZeroStar on 08/18/08 at 12:51:04 Tried getting to the battery, but the diagrams in the owners manual are useless, and I can't figure out how to get the seat off. As for vac lines and whatnot, I don't even know what that is, let alone how to check for gas in one... :-/ Sorry for the lack of knowledge :-[ |
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Title: Re: Won't start, won't run... help! Post by DJM on 08/18/08 at 13:04:12 Sounds like a clogged fuel filter to me. |
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Title: Re: Won't start, won't run... help! Post by eanon on 08/18/08 at 13:06:02 The seat comes off with two screws, one on each side, towards the back of the seat. Look under the lower lip of the seat. |
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Title: Re: Won't start, won't run... help! Post by YonuhAdisi on 08/18/08 at 13:10:40 [quote author=66594E536F485D4E3C0 link=1219088093/0#3 date=1219089064]Tried getting to the battery, but the diagrams in the owners manual are useless, and I can't figure out how to get the seat off. As for vac lines and whatnot, I don't even know what that is, let alone how to check for gas in one... :-/ Sorry for the lack of knowledge :-[/quote] There are two 10 mm bolts, one on each side of the seat just forward of the rear shocks. The battery is behind the chrome cover on the left side that is removed with your ignition key. Under that is the tool box plate, three phillips head screws remove that (one on top, two at the bottom) and there is the battery. The vacuum line is a little rubber hose usually with a spring around it that goes from your petcock (gas valve) to the carburetor. To check for fuel in it, you just unplug it from the carb and see if any gas comes out of it. |
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Title: Re: Won't start, won't run... help! Post by bill67 on 08/18/08 at 13:11:37 Try some Seafoam in the carb. to clean it up, put the Seafoam in gas tank I had a GR 650 motorcycle for over 20 years drove it once a year about 5 miles never had the carb apart and it still ran good have the five mile clean up with seafoam in the gas tank. be sure battery is charged up |
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Title: Re: Won't start, won't run... help! Post by serowbot on 08/18/08 at 13:24:29 are you using the choke to start it? |
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Title: Re: Won't start, won't run... help! Post by verslagen1 on 08/18/08 at 13:50:32 When removing the battery, the terminals are visible on either side of the bike. Remove the negative terminal first, that way when you remove the positive there's no chance to short to the frame. A clymers manual will really help you out, get one for reffering to while working on the bike. Also there's one online, check the tech section. |
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Title: Re: Won't start, won't run... help! Post by ZeroStar on 08/18/08 at 14:13:52 Thanks for the input all. I'm beginning to think this might be a bit above my abilities and I should take it to the friendly neighborhood bike shop tomorrow... |
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Title: Re: Won't start, won't run... help! Post by ZeroStar on 08/18/08 at 14:14:33 4751465B43565B40340 wrote:
I tried it both ways, similar result. |
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Title: Re: Won't start, won't run... help! Post by ZeroStar on 08/18/08 at 14:31:12 7C4A4B504D64414C564C250 wrote:
Ok, I've found this line, but it seems to be very firmly attached, without damaging it, how do I get it off? |
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Title: Re: Won't start, won't run... help! Post by verslagen1 on 08/18/08 at 15:19:15 Check to see if there's a little wire clamp. Use a pair of pliers to enlarge it and move it off the nipple. If still stuck, get a grip with fingers and twist. If still stuck, use pliers but try not to tear up the hose. If still stuck, try and push the hose off. Usally the 1st way works, but they can be stubborn to the point of just cutting it off when they're completely hard. |
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Title: Re: Won't start, won't run... help! Post by ZeroStar on 08/18/08 at 16:20:47 Ok, battery connections are good (clean and connected). No gas in the line between fuel switch and carb. What else should I look at before paying someone else to solve this? :-/ |
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Title: Re: Won't start, won't run... help! Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/18/08 at 16:58:04 drain the float bowl. Catch it in a clear container. |
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Title: Re: Won't start, won't run... help! Post by ZeroStar on 08/18/08 at 17:01:26 2A353334292E1F2F1F27353972400 wrote:
Can you explain a bit more? Not sure what that is... |
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Title: Re: Won't start, won't run... help! Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/18/08 at 17:07:37 Carburetor, holds gas in the bowl. IF it wont drain( screw in the nipple poking down), its empty, explaining the thing not running.If it drains, then you gotr gas,,, or water, or something, Id have a look, |
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Title: Re: Won't start, won't run... help! Post by ZeroStar on 08/18/08 at 17:14:04 Where do I find this thing? Do I have to take something apart? I'm clueless :( |
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Title: Re: Won't start, won't run... help! Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/18/08 at 17:19:10 Heeeeyyy Abbbotttt!!!!!! I need a pic up here for this guy.... Can you find the choke? Its on the carburetor. Look at the carb from a low point. See the bottom looks like it could hold some gas? Its supposed to.. Look in the middle of the bottom. Theres a nipple poking down with a screw stuck in the side of it. Poke something under it & loosen the screw till it starts leaking. |
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Title: Re: Won't start, won't run... help! Post by ZeroStar on 08/18/08 at 17:20:27 Ok, thanks for your patience. I think I found the right thing. When I open the screw up, liquid which smells very much like gas comes out. Do I want to empty this thing, or was I just checking to see if there was gas inside? |
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Title: Re: Won't start, won't run... help! Post by Sandy Koocanusa on 08/18/08 at 17:37:27 73607776696462606B34050 wrote:
Oh holy cow. The fun I could have with this post you made, if I wasn't such a nice and polite young man, whose clean mind is above reproach. ;D ZeroStar, go ahead and drain it into a cup or the bottom of a pop can or something. Then close the drain and set your petcock to "pri" for 7 1/3 seconds before switching it to "run." |
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Title: Re: Won't start, won't run... help! Post by ZeroStar on 08/18/08 at 17:46:02 No dice. Now it just makes a rapid clicking sound when I try to start it up... |
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Title: Re: Won't start, won't run... help! Post by Sandy Koocanusa on 08/18/08 at 17:49:17 Sounds like a dead battery to me. I cannot emphasize enough how helpful Savage Greg's Savage Companion cd would be for you. It has pictures of just about every part on the bike, with clear labels of the components to each part. At any level of expertise it is useful, but starting out "mechanically retarded" (sorry, that expression tickled me) it would be a most useful tool. Don't forget the Clymers manual as well. |
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Title: Re: Won't start, won't run... help! Post by ZeroStar on 08/18/08 at 17:50:52 Lights still come on... is there a way to jump it (like a car) or am I going to need to buy a new one? :-/ |
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Title: Re: Won't start, won't run... help! Post by Sandy Koocanusa on 08/18/08 at 18:00:40 You can jump it, but it may be that you need to buy a new one as well. I have not experienced it yet, but I'm told that a weak battery can cause a weak spark, hence a poorly running engine. If you look at the front of the battery box, there should be a cutout that allows you to check the fluid level in the battery. If that is low, you need to add water. If you have a voltmeter, check the voltage at the battery. As I recall, it should be turning out 12.5 volts or so. I'll have to look that up to be sure. |
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Title: Re: Won't start, won't run... help! Post by ZeroStar on 08/18/08 at 18:02:24 Looks like it might need some water... how do I fill it? |
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Title: Re: Won't start, won't run... help! Post by Sandy Koocanusa on 08/18/08 at 18:07:09 Check your Personal messages, up at the top lefthand corner of the screen. Just click where it says you have Xnumber of messages. |
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Title: Re: Won't start, won't run... help! Post by ZeroStar on 08/19/08 at 09:32:07 So I got my battery pulled out (much thanks to Sandy Koocanusa and all others involved) and it looks to be 2 degrees north of completely toast. Took it down to the local bike shop this morning and of course they don't have it in stock :P so they're trying to fill/charge the old battery to give me a few more days until the new battery comes in. If that doesn't work, looks like I'm bikeless for a few days >:( Thanks again to all who helped! :) |
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Title: Re: Won't start, won't run... help! Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/19/08 at 10:27:22 There is a learning curve being a bike owner. Dont take it to a mechanic unless you are just simply unwilling to do the work. Its so dead simple, with the reference materials & support here, anyone can survive this bikes' maintenance.The $$$ saved on labor pays for the tools, time & again. The experience pays dividends in self satisfaction. Being your own mechanic can also mean the difference in riding home & calling someone. Be patient with yourself, learn about the bike & I bet the experience will make you feel all warm & fuzzy about buying it. |
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Title: Re: Won't start, won't run... help! Post by ZeroStar on 08/19/08 at 14:30:05 Well, the battery charge didn't work. Looks like I'm waiting until Thurs for a new battery. Yeah, I totally feel a confidence boost now that I've done my first wrench turning on my bike. I love knowing how things work, and would love to become more proficient at motorcycle mechanics. |
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Title: Re: Won't start, won't run... help! Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/20/08 at 02:47:19 and you will! |
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Title: Re: Won't start, won't run... help! Post by ZeroStar on 08/21/08 at 23:26:16 New battery's installed and all is well. Took 'er for a spin around the neighborhood and stopped to fill up the gas tank on the way home. Cost me $8.82 to fill it up. Made me smile, knowing that the wife just paid $50 to fill up the Mustang. First self-repair job was a total success. Thanks again to all involved! ;D |
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Title: Re: Won't start, won't run... help! Post by mick on 08/22/08 at 01:07:08 For Gods sake man pull yourself together,have you got a set of metric wrenches? if so get youself a clymer manuel follow the instuctions to the letter,the savage is about the easiest bike out there to work on,don't give up and take it to a dealer,you can do it ,don't give up. You will feel so much better when you put it all together and it starts right up. |
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Title: Re: Won't start, won't run... help! Post by ZeroStar on 08/22/08 at 12:26:50 Haha, did you read any more than my first post? :P It's all fixed thanks to the help of a few others here. For the record, I took it out on my first highway ride today. Never been over 40 mph so it was a little unnerving. Will need to practice a bit I think. :D |
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Title: Re: Won't start, won't run... help! Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/22/08 at 12:30:29 Motorcycle safety course. The $$$ is well spent. I hope you are wearing quality riding gear. |
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Title: Re: Won't start, won't run... help! Post by ZeroStar on 08/22/08 at 12:35:07 Already been through a state approved course, it's how I got my license. :) I don't have good gear yet, but that's mostly because I don't live anywhere near a store that sells it, and I don't like to order online since you can't try it on first. :P That is definitely the next order of business though. |
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Title: Re: Won't start, won't run... help! Post by photojoe on 08/22/08 at 12:50:36 42464C445B474A4346424A562F0 wrote:
That's great advice. Flipping through the pages of the Clymer can be intimidating at the least, but one we get into this bike, it's not that hard. I know my limitations though, and there are qualified wrenchers that work on the side should the need arise. My approach is that everytime I save money by doing my own repairs, I buy myself something. You know, oil change at the stealership: $65-85, do it myself and use the money to by tools. I'm past the tool stage and now buying cold weather gear. |
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Title: Re: Won't start, won't run... help! Post by mornhm on 08/25/08 at 13:53:11 7B44534E72554053210 wrote:
Congrats, the next one will be easier. One of the high points of the Savage is ease of maintenance and repair. |
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