Help! My SV won't start!

[mackasper]

My SV decided not to start yesterday. I removed the air filter, cleaned the plugs and gave it a general inspection. The carbs appear fine as I can smell gas when I try to start it. I don't think that there is anything going to the sparkplugs. Does anyone out there have any clue what might cause this and what I might need to do to fix this???? Paul

[mackasper]

Oh yeah, it's a 2000 SV-650

[Raf]

Silly things first.
1) Tried the kill switch yet?
2) Can you hear the starter engine turning?
3) What does the bike do when you press the ignition button?

Oh if you have the lights on when you start turn it off to give the electrical system an easier time.

[Warren]

cold ? carb icing ?

[BillyC]

cold ? carb icing ?

:evil: Don't make me come and explain this again! :oops:

[mackasper]

Okay, I lifted the tank, removed the air filter and tried to turn it over. The starter turns, but it doesn't fire. I can see fuel misting in the air filter housing so I'm assuming there is no spark. I then removed one of the spark plugs, hooked it back up to the plug wire and hit the starter. I expected to see steady sparks within the gap, but I only see a spark about every 7 or 8 seconds????? I put it all back together and I it sounds like it wants to fire every 7 or 8 seconds, but other than that it sounds like it's out of gas??????? Coil maybe???

[Raf]

Okay, I lifted the tank, removed the air filter and tried to turn it over. The starter turns, but it doesn't fire. I can see fuel misting in the air filter housing so I'm assuming there is no spark. I then removed one of the spark plugs, hooked it back up to the plug wire and hit the starter. I expected to see steady sparks within the gap, but I only see a spark about every 7 or 8 seconds????? I put it all back together and I it sounds like it wants to fire every 7 or 8 seconds, but other than that it sounds like it's out of gas??????? Coil maybe???

Had a similar thing on mine once, turned out to be low charge in the battery. Charge the battery up and give it another go

[mackasper]

The battery is peaked

[embee]

I know it's an old chestnut, but a no-cost option is just to check the wiring where it goes past a frame bracket on the left side of the bike under the pillion seat. They do chafe through there. Just a thought :?:

[fizzwheel]

Surely if it was the coil you wouldnt get any spark ?

As for why it wont start, not sure otherwise, are you sure the battery is OK, I had a similar problem, and it would almost fire but not. Battery didnt have quite enough juice in it to start the bike, I put the battery on charge for a coulpe of hours and then it started OK

Sorry cant really help anymore

[rictus01]

I know it's an old chestnut, but a no-cost option is just to check the wiring where it goes past a frame bracket on the left side of the bike under the pillion seat. They do chafe through there. Just a thought :?:

that's where I'd look first.

then perhaps;
cdi plug (check for water ingress)
low tension leads to coils
plug caps (unscrew one and screw the plug directly into the end and try it)

Cheers Mark.

[mackasper]

CDI Plug????

[rictus01]

CDI Plug????

under rear seat , black plastic box about 3" x 4" x 1", large mutlti plug coming from the wiring loom plugging into it (look for green pins).