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Message started by cgmarc on 02/19/10 at 15:48:52

Title: Starter Problem
Post by cgmarc on 02/19/10 at 15:48:52

Hi I have a 95 Savage with 20K miles on it. I've never had an issue with it til lately. When I go to crank it up it seems as if my starter solenoid is on the fritz. I have run through all the basic checks: I have always run it on PRI (bad petcock I know, but it's getting fuel to the carb), brand new battery all charged up, new oil change and filter, air filter clean, even a recent carb cleaning. I just don't know what is going on with it. I crank it and it will turn teh motor for about 10 sec then it starts clicking. Any help would be gratefully appreciated, I am almost to the point of of taking it in to the suzuki dealer where they sing Pink Floyd's "Money" when you walk in, that or try to convince you to trade it in on a new suzuki, but I like my old thump. Help is much appreciated thanks!

Title: Re: Starter Problem
Post by verslagen1 on 02/19/10 at 15:59:08

6E6A606C7F6E0D0 wrote:

I crank it and it will turn teh motor for about 10 sec then it starts clicking.

Charge battery, I think this is your problem.

Check decomp adjustment, does it go around a couple of times or does it go half way around and stop?

Title: Re: Starter Problem
Post by cgmarc on 02/19/10 at 16:01:27

Battery is fully charged, decomp adjustment I don't really even know what this is or how to check it.

Title: Re: Starter Problem
Post by verslagen1 on 02/19/10 at 16:14:50

Many people get a new battery only to find out it has a bad cell, so I'm gonna ask...

How do you know it's fully charged?
New battery or what?
Checked the water?

I had a battery that sat for several months, no water, put in a bike and clickety click, put water it, charged it up and vroom.

OK couple other things to check, ground wire. the battery ground is to the engine case. look on the case behind the oil level window. clean and tighten.

Title: Re: Starter Problem
Post by verslagen1 on 02/19/10 at 16:29:14

20k miles, you've checked your cam chain adjuster recently?
Any strange chain dragging sounds?
Any clacking sounds from the right side?

Title: Re: Starter Problem
Post by cgmarc on 02/19/10 at 16:33:34

I have been looking at the cam adjusting threads and I gotta say it seems like an intense job for me not sure if I could handle it, but when I crank it there is a sound on the right side, but it doesn't sound much different than usual.

Title: Re: Starter Problem
Post by verslagen1 on 02/19/10 at 16:42:09

If you feel something hitting the case from the inside just above the oil filter cover, stop, shut 'er off, get it looked into right away.

Most people will dump a vehicle cause they know they got to put money into it. and pass it off to someone who doesn't know. At 20k you are there or about to be.

Title: Re: Starter Problem
Post by cgmarc on 02/19/10 at 17:00:11

This was the way I was leaning too with the previous owner being somewhat shady sometimes a good deal is just too good. No worries, maybe I'll go make it a trade-in...any suggestions I gotta admit I like the new sportster iron 883. Appreciate the help.

Title: Re: Starter Problem
Post by Yonuh Adisi on 02/19/10 at 17:31:12

Dude, the cam chain is not as difficult as it may seem.

Title: Re: Starter Problem
Post by cgmarc on 02/19/10 at 17:38:38

Now say if I took it into the shop what do ya'll think it would cost? I honestly don't have the time to tear it down(I'm active duty with wierd hours) and i mean i'm not too mechanically inclined.

Title: Re: Starter Problem
Post by verslagen1 on 02/19/10 at 20:31:23

someone who knows how can have it done in 2 hours easy. But at a minimum will cost you a $20 for a gasket.
lollygaggin' about, readin' the good book and drinkin' an adult beverage... all day. Fixin' is another question, but depends if it came apart or is just loose.

Title: Re: Starter Problem
Post by dasch on 02/20/10 at 04:14:01

It cranks for 10 seconds than start clicking... I plus the low voltage theory. either a bad battery or bad ground or bad connecion in starter circuit. Here's quick checks:

1. Jump start it. car + to bike +, car - to bike - from a good car battery. If it doesnt help than:
2. Jump start it again, but car - to bike ground (pick a good clean spot) and car + to bike +. If it doesnt help than we go drastic:
3. car - to bike ground and car + directly to bike starter terminal. Make sure you are in neutral!!!!

we are not trying to start the bike, just making sure what causes the drop after these 10 seconds. Step 1 verifies your battery voltage, step 2 your ground connection, step 3 your positive circuit to starter

Try these and psot what happens. We narrow it down a bit.

Title: Re: Starter Problem
Post by Routy on 02/20/10 at 04:52:24

Sounds like the battery is failing a "load test", but that doesn't mean it isn't a bad connection somewhere.

Is the new battery the correct one, w/ enough CCAs? (cranking amps)

A load test is normally expected to hold 10.5 volts for 10 seconds. If you are cranking for more than 10 seconds, you could be over maximum for load test.
Not only that, it could take its toll on the starter motor too.

Normally the starter should not be operated for more than 10 seconds at one time. A starter motor is not a "constant duty motor", and can heat up really fast.

note: my automotive specs may need to be adjusted slightly for bikes

Title: Re: Starter Problem
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 02/20/10 at 04:52:30

You dont Have to fix it, but with 20K on it, you better look at it & see if it needs fixed. Dont pay someone to look at it, drain the oil & pop the side off & measure the tensioner. Ill bet its time for a chain, at best.

Title: Re: Starter Problem
Post by photojoe on 02/20/10 at 06:53:06

Agree with some of the above comments regarding the battery. Try and jump it first. With car; make sure car is not running when jumping.

Check battery terminals and cables. The clicking sound has all of the earmarks of a battery problem. When mine died, I though for sure it was something like a starter problem. A jump from a portable battery pack got me started and I was on my way home. Bought a Big Crank. That's all I have to say about that ;).

Title: Re: Starter Problem
Post by Routy on 02/20/10 at 07:41:30

Buy one of these, you won't have to wonder again,http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93784....... this 50 amp model works great on these Bike batteries.

On edit:
can't seem to get that link to load !
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93784

Title: Re: Starter Problem
Post by Phelonius on 02/20/10 at 09:48:04

To check for a bad cell in the battery, you need, a voltmeter, a headlight, two nails about 2 inches long.
Take off all the caps of the cells.
Clip the nails into the alligator clips of the volt meter.
Hook up the head light so that there is a modest load on the battery.
(with no load this test may not reveal anything)
Start at one end of the battery by touching one battrey terminal with the positive lead of the volt meter and insert the nail gently into the second cell away from the terminal. This tests the first cell only. It should read about 1.2 volts.
Move the nail to the third cell and put the other nail into the first cell. This tests the second cell, it should read about 1.2 volts also. Move each nail one cell further each time to test each cell. The cell being straddled by the nails is the one being tested. If any cell is significantly lower than the others, ( more than one half volt or more different), the battery must be replaced. Since you cannot replace one cell of a battery, the whole thing is junk, get a new one.

BTW I have had a solenoid fail and replacing it is PITA. After you finally get it out, cut a notch in the lower bolt hole of the new one.
This is so you can have the lower bolt in place but loose. Put the bolt through the upper hole and screw it part way in. Now rotate the new solenoid until the notch slips over the lower bolt and tighten both.
This method requires fewer four letter words than any other.
Having the stealership do it also requires fourletter words when you pay the bill then find out they didn't do it right.

Phelonis

Title: Re: Starter Problem
Post by cgmarc on 02/21/10 at 17:07:49

Just an update, had to work all weekend so I took the somewhat new battery off and let it charge for a good 12 hours on a 2amp slow charge. I put it on tonight and tried to start it. I got a little more headway and it put out some smoke out the muffler, but it did not start. I then noticed that some gas was coming out of the black tube at the bottom of the bike, not sure what this is but it was definatley gas. It only let out maybe and ounce or two, but it still wouldn't fire up. Now I'm unsure whether i flooded it or not.