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Message started by mr. s on 04/30/11 at 12:34:07

Title: 2004 not starting
Post by mr. s on 04/30/11 at 12:34:07

I am a new owner, and just getting into motorcycles, so advice is needed.

I have a 2004 savage with 8000 km. It was driven last summer and started up when I bought it. It is in great condition, and I have no reason to believe that there is anything really wrong with it.

Now, it isn't starting. It is turning over, but that is it. Does not sound like an oil problem, although I did not ask when he did his last one.

What is my first step? Carburetor clean? Oil change? Trickle charger?

Title: Re: 2004 not starting
Post by verslagen1 on 04/30/11 at 12:39:56

charge it!

or take it out and down to autozone to test it.

Title: Re: 2004 not starting
Post by mr. s on 04/30/11 at 12:45:41

I should charge it even though it is turning over?
I took it to Canadian Tire and they said it was showing 11.9 volts..... so I assumed it was something different.

I guess a trickle charger then?

Title: Re: 2004 not starting
Post by verslagen1 on 04/30/11 at 12:55:32

If the voltage drops to 10v while it's turning over, it won't start.

Title: Re: 2004 not starting
Post by Serowbot on 04/30/11 at 13:34:52

Needs to show 12.1 to 12.4v... 11.9 is weak...
It'll turn over, but not fast enough to light...

Charge it up at 2 amps or less,... if it won't hold a charge, replace it...

Title: Re: 2004 not starting
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 04/30/11 at 18:11:45

& thats some good advice.. A wimpy battery will cause much frustration, as it turns over & pretends its gonna go,, but it ant gonna go..

Title: Re: 2004 not starting
Post by Boofer on 04/30/11 at 20:13:05

415245445B5650525906370 wrote:

charge it!

or take it out and down to autozone to test it.

Agreed. And buy a trickle charger from Wal Mart for $20 if you don't ride in the winter. You can install the pigtail while you have the battery out--an aggravating exercise, IMO. If it doesn't crank, holler back at us and we'll go further.

Title: Re: 2004 not starting
Post by mr. s on 04/30/11 at 21:02:09

I picked myself up a trickle charger and it is currently being charged. I sure hope that was the only problem. Thank you all. I will keep you updated.

Title: Re: 2004 not starting
Post by Boofer on 04/30/11 at 21:12:13

Just so you understand. A trickle charger is not designed to charge a flat battery, but it will given enough time. You said yours is turning over, so I'd be patient and give it at least 24 hours. Also I would turn the petcock to prime and make sure the carb bowl is full while cranking, then switch back to on position after it starts.

Title: Re: 2004 not starting
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/01/11 at 02:28:26

You can take it to a parts house & theyll charge it up & test it..

Title: Re: 2004 not starting
Post by DangMan on 05/01/11 at 03:34:38

Might as well get used to charging the battery before starting the savage up in the spring ! Even though it turns over, fat chance it starts !

Title: Re: 2004 not starting
Post by OE on 05/01/11 at 11:29:56

You might want to put a new spark plug in it. Mine failed to start the last time I drug it out. Charged the battery, jumped it from a car, put a new battery in it, cleaned and gapped the plug... nothing. Put a new plug in and it hasn't failed to start on the first cycle in the last 2000 miles, hot or cold. Coincidence maybe?

Title: Re: 2004 not starting
Post by mr. s on 05/04/11 at 00:56:17

Yup. Looks like it was just a low battery. I am really glad I found this site before I spent money on things I didn't need.

Now to make it a bobber!