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Message started by wrd17 on 02/26/09 at 18:25:34

Title: Starter solenoid?
Post by wrd17 on 02/26/09 at 18:25:34

I have an '01 ls650. I've had the battery charger on it all day but when i go to start it i just get a click noise. The engine does not turn over. Could this be the starter solenoid being blown or whatever happens to them? If this is a possibility, the solenoid is the part right under the seat behind the air intake right? I guess it could just be the battery but I just put this battery on it last fall. Any suggestions?

Title: Re: Starter solenoid?
Post by T Mack 1 on 02/26/09 at 19:05:47

Are you getting voltage to the starter motor?

Title: Re: Starter solenoid?
Post by wrd17 on 02/26/09 at 23:03:43

i have not tested it yet but whenever i try to start it the wires going to the starter solenoid (is it the starter solenoid that is located right under the seat and is mounted to the front of the rear fender?) get hot. I'm not sure whats going on. The battery is now fully charged and its still doing the same thing.

Title: Re: Starter solenoid?
Post by verslagen1 on 02/26/09 at 23:31:37

You need a volt meter to check the voltage while trying to start.

Also, the click you hear should be the decompression solenoid. take the tank off and the head chrome on the left side, bend over so you can see it and blip the starter, you should see it move. it will release quickly.

A second click should be the starter relay. Sometimes relays will stick or the contacts will flash over and create an insulating layer of corrosion. A sharp rap with a plastic handle of a screwdriver will sometimes fix the issue.

If it's just a starter issue, you should be able to push start it.

Title: Re: Starter solenoid?
Post by T Mack 1 on 02/27/09 at 03:03:34

Wire getting hot means you are pushing power somewhere. A bad solenoid (relay in the parts manual) would either let power go to the starter all the time (stuck on), intermittantly or never.

Is the wire going to the starter getting warm too??

Yes, under the seat.

Title: Re: Starter solenoid?
Post by wrd17 on 02/27/09 at 14:30:32

The wire going to the starter is getting hot as well. I have not had a chance to put the voltmeter on it yet. What would be the proper procedure for testing the starter with the voltmeter?

Title: Re: Starter solenoid?
Post by Demin on 02/27/09 at 14:37:41

Sounds like the starter.

Title: Re: Starter solenoid?
Post by Charon on 02/27/09 at 14:43:17

You might put the bike into fourth or fifth gear and see if the engine will turn over by pushing it. It is conceivable something is wrong with the engine, not the starter. If the engine seems to turn normally, try push starting the bike just to verify function.

Title: Re: Starter solenoid?
Post by wrd17 on 02/27/09 at 18:35:46

I can try push starting it but it hasn't been started in about a month so i'm afraid i won't be able to get it started without pushing it around the whole neighborhood. Is there any way to test the starter to see if its functioning properly without pulling it?

Title: Re: Starter solenoid?
Post by verslagen1 on 02/27/09 at 19:38:23

It's fairly easy to remove the starter. 2 bolts on the end and the cable.
take those off, wiggle it back and forth and pull till it comes out.
test by grounding the case to the negetive post and jumping the positive to the cable post.

Title: Re: Starter solenoid?
Post by Savage Eddie on 02/27/09 at 22:11:12

being a car mechanic has anyone ever tried tapping the starter with a hammer? if the voltage is there then i would try it (while starting) if it starts.....replace the starter!

just a thought, works 95% of the time on a vehicle starter

Title: Re: Starter solenoid?
Post by Charon on 02/28/09 at 06:34:17

Reason I mentioned checking the engine - I work part time for the local school district driving a school bus. Last year I took the bus to a basketball game, drove it home and parked it. A few days later the transportation director wanted to take the bus to the gas station and fuel it. It wouldn't start. They thought the starter was bad, so they bought and installed a new one. No joy. They tried pulling the bus with a tractor, and discovered the engine was seized. It had run and started normally until then. These things can happen.

Title: Re: Starter solenoid?
Post by wrd17 on 02/28/09 at 09:48:20

ill pull the starter and test it out. thanks for the help.

Title: Re: Starter solenoid?
Post by wrd17 on 03/04/09 at 14:45:12

the wire going to the starter is getting power. i pulled the starter and cant get it to do anything. im not sure if im doing it right but shouldnt i just be able to hook a battery charger up to the starter (ground the negative and positive on the post) and get it to turn over. if i am doing it right, the starter isnt doing a thing

Title: Re: Starter solenoid?
Post by verslagen1 on 03/04/09 at 14:52:08

Sounds like it's frozen. Can't turn it by hand?

Title: Re: Starter solenoid?
Post by wrd17 on 03/04/09 at 15:01:05

i actually just tried an older battery charger and it is making the starter click so im pretty sure its frozen up. i just called the local suzuki place and they said $330 bucks for a new starter. if i cant find a starter cheaper than that i might as well put the cover back on the bike for right now. any help?

Title: Re: Starter solenoid?
Post by prechermike on 03/04/09 at 15:31:59

Can you have it rebuilt cheaper? Most of the time for cars you get a rebuilt anyway. We have a place in town that does this kind of work. It is cheaper than getting another one around here. I have never tried to have a motorcycle starter rebuilt.

Mike

Title: Re: Starter solenoid?
Post by wrd17 on 03/04/09 at 15:33:25

ill check in to it. im not sure about motorcycle starters either

Title: Re: Starter solenoid?
Post by verslagen1 on 03/04/09 at 17:23:33

I'd pull the bolt that run from end to end off and take a look.
There's not a whole lot you can do, but why pay a lot of bucks if it's something simple, worn out brushes or stuck bearing.

Title: Re: Starter solenoid?
Post by wrd17 on 03/04/09 at 19:18:09

well on verslagens advice i pulled the starter apart. one of the magnets (there are 4 of them) on the outer wall of the starter was busted to pieces. i pulled all of the pieces out and put it all back together with just 3 magnets. i tested it and it seemed to work right so i put it back on the bike and after a few turns of the engine she cranked right up. WOW I am amazed it will still work like that. It may not work for long but if it works for only a few days its still better than none.

Title: Re: Starter solenoid?
Post by verslagen1 on 03/04/09 at 20:08:31

That seems to be happening lately. You're the maybe 4th one. I'd start looking for a replacement. if you hit it at the right time, you might pick up one for $25, but I've seen 'em start over a hundred.

What year? you don't want to mix 86 thru 88 with later models.

Title: Re: Starter solenoid?
Post by wrd17 on 03/04/09 at 20:13:04

its an '01. i saw one on ebay for like 130 but i would have a hard time buying a used starter knowing it could go out at any time

Title: Re: Starter solenoid?
Post by verslagen1 on 03/04/09 at 20:16:46

Well that's true, but of the hundreds that come here only a few have that problem. A couple of bad starters at $25 are a lot cheaper than $300. and if it just the magnet, put 2 together.