Starting probs

[gdharbourne]

Hi all, i have just put in a new starter motor on my sv650s thinking that this would mend the starting problems i have been having for some time. BUT predictably it hasn't done a thing! the battery was nicely charged and theres fuel in the bike, but when pressing the starting button it just makes a slight clicking noise and nothing else. I'm presuming its not the battery because I have lights and so on.

This problem first started about 4 months ago and has been sitting there 'cos the garage wanted over £400 to fix the starter motor. I have just put in the new starter this morning ( thanks to sum advice from you guys) and there is no change what so ever. have checked all fuses and so on.

PLEASE PLEASE HELP, really need this bike up and running
:confused::smt013:smt013:smt092

[pmapp]

Can you turn the engine over by hand? You'll probably need to whip the plugs out to try it.

[gdharbourne]

sorry to be a dumb ass but how do you go about that?

[pmapp]

When I say plugs - I mean the spark plugs.

If it's a curvy:
Lift the tank to get the rear - use the extended socket in the bikes toolkit.
For the front, pop off the two fairing mounts onto the rad (if it's an 'S') push the rad forward (2 bolts to undo I think) and you can get the the plug. It's a bit fiddly, but doable.

If it's a pointy - I havn't a clue, but i'd imagine it's the same.



Stick it in gear and see if it will roll forward.

I'd hang about here a bit though to see if anyone else has any ideas before you go pulling it to bits. I take it you have made sure it's out of gear, kill switch, clutch in etc etc etc.

[gdharbourne]

its def not in gear and im doing all the usual as in the starting procedure, its now not even dimming the lights when i press the start button. iv got the battey off and its on charge, not too handy with the dissmantling the bike and so i think i will wait for any other suggestions. plus when i bought the bike it didnt come with the toolkit so dont have a plug remover. cheers anyway.......this bike will be the death of me

[northwind]

Do you have access to another battery? Just because that one shows as charged doesn't neccesarily mean it's any good. Trying it off a car would be a good way to eliminate that as a possibility.

[rictus01]

So can I take it this is what it was doing before you changed the starter motor (as in the clicking noise ?), in which case what made you think it needed changing ?, the clicking will be the starter relay.

you haven't followed the guidelines (http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=71305) for asking advice so I don't know which model you have or the history behind this issue, but I'd be circumventing the relay and direct testing the startermotor in the first place, if that works then checking the relay for corrossion, if not the earthing side of the circuit.

Cheers Mark.

[gdharbourne]

So can I take it this is what it was doing before you changed the starter motor (as in the clicking noise ?), in which case what made you think it needed changing ?, the clicking will be the starter relay.

you haven't followed the guidelines (http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=71305) for asking advice so I don't know which model you have or the history behind this issue, but I'd be circumventing the relay and direct testing the startermotor in the first place, if that works then checking the relay for corrossion, if not the earthing side of the circuit.

Cheers Mark.

I was experiencing this problem before and after the garage had it for 2 weeks they had told me they had cleaned out the starter motor and solenoids (?) and that if i experienced any more problems I would need a new starter motor, cost £400.

its a 1999 sv650s with about 35k on the clock. sorry to be a right dumbdumb but where is the relay?

[gdharbourne]

Do you have access to another battery? Just because that one shows as charged doesn't neccesarily mean it's any good. Trying it off a car would be a good way to eliminate that as a possibility.

i was told by a garage that jumping off of a car was exremely bad for the bike..... is this not the case?

[gdharbourne]

So can I take it this is what it was doing before you changed the starter motor (as in the clicking noise ?), in which case what made you think it needed changing ?, the clicking will be the starter relay.

you haven't followed the guidelines (http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=71305) for asking advice so I don't know which model you have or the history behind this issue, but I'd be circumventing the relay and direct testing the startermotor in the first place, if that works then checking the relay for corrossion, if not the earthing side of the circuit.

Cheers Mark.
Hi mark,

just found the starter relay and the fuse was a little iffey so have changed it with the spare which was in good order. how do i go about direct testing?? is this taking a lead direct from the battery to the starter?

and on second thought it was the relay that was clicking in the 1st place..... have i just blown a lot of time and a fair bit of dosh on a starter that i didnt need?? ah nutz

[N8te rider]

Hope it's nothing serious. I had a similar problem with my pointy. For a few days the lights came on and just heard clicking. The battery was not holding enough charge to start it (but enough for the lights). Got a new battery and was then fine.

[rictus01]

run a jump lead from the battery, expose the rubber boot covered connection on the top of the startermotor, briefly touch the lead to the connection, you should get the engine to turn on the starter (It won't start without the ignition on), if it turns over it shows the battery and starter motor are good.

the relay (yes the black plastic thing under the righthand sidecover) has the main fuse in it, but also can get water ingress, this normally results in it eatting fuses, a new one to replace or if you're handy it can be stripped and cleaned (but be aware it's not designed to be).

another point to check is the engine earth (thick black cable attached to the back of the engine), as the starter is a very high loading this can work fine for lights/ingnition and instruments, but fail with the extra load the starter takes, so although it may look OK, make sure it's in good condition and not corroided at all.

Also perhaps not directly related, but given the age/mileage have a search on "loom chaffing/rubbing" as this could cause weird problems, probably not, but and easy check as it's a known issue.

think the garage were taking the p*ss, but without actually seeing the old motor can't really say, certainly not the first place I would have looked.

Cheers Mark.

[Ceri JC]

i was told by a garage that jumping off of a car was exremely bad for the bike..... is this not the case?

AA man who kept bikes himself reckoned not when I asked him. Be sure to connect in the order red to car, red to bike, black to car, black to bike.

Alternately, those car starting things you can get in halfords work really well, don't even need to leave them connected for a few minutes in most cases, just fire the bike up.

[northwind]

i was told by a garage that jumping off of a car was exremely bad for the bike..... is this not the case?

Yes, you need special bike volts ;) Nah, it's all rubbish, people say that but the starter draws current, the battery doesn't push it, and they're all 12V systems. Lots of people say never jump from a running car, that I'm not so sure of.