Lethargic starter motor - SV650.org

Geodude · 04-08-09, 12:42 PM

Dont know why but sometimes when i start bike (sv650 99 naked) i get a very slow few turns on the starter motor which sounds like a flat battery or stuck starter and the bike wont start, but if i try again after a few minutes it works as normal sometimes wether bikes hot or cold? Im stumped as to why or what is the problem. Only had bike a month so the whole DIY mechanic stuff is new to me

Any ideas anyone?

04-08-09, 12:44 PM

I've started getting the same thing. The starter may need an overhaul. However, mine was done last October- I would have thought it'd last a little longer than 5,000 miles between overhauls- though it's an old unit (1999 SV).

Geodude · 04-08-09, 12:51 PM

Cheers for quick reply at least i know im not the only one with the problem. TBH ive so far spent more time fixing than riding since i got bike a month ago.

Spanner Man · 04-08-09, 12:53 PM

Good afternoon all.

It could also be a dodgy solenoid, the internal contacts could have an could be somewhat burnt, therefore causing an intermittent contact.
Try bypassing the solenoid next time it happens. Use a hefty piece of metal, or a jump lead clamp between the solenoid contacts. If it cranks ok then it's probably the solenoid at fault.

Cheers.

Spiderman · 04-08-09, 01:09 PM

Obviously i bow to spanner mans wisodom on these things as my mechanical knowledge is very poor, however i did actually take my starter off and gave it a clean up on the old curvey. Surprisingly easy job as long as you get the washers back in the right sequence etc. If you have a Haynes manual and half a brain like me you can do it in half an hour or so.

Geodude · 04-08-09, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spanner Man

Good afternoon all.

It could also be a dodgy solenoid, the internal contacts could have an could be somewhat burnt, therefore causing an intermittent contact.
Try bypassing the solenoid next time it happens. Use a hefty piece of metal, or a jump lead clamp between the solenoid contacts. If it cranks ok then it's probably the solenoid at fault.

Cheers.

Thanks Mr Spanner man i will try ASAP

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spiderman

Obviously i bow to spanner mans wisodom on these things as my mechanical knowledge is very poor, however i did actually take my starter off and gave it a clean up on the old curvey. Surprisingly easy job as long as you get the washers back in the right sequence etc. If you have a Haynes manual and half a brain like me you can do it in half an hour or so.

Mechanical knowledge hmm i made a lego house once.. Seriously though thanks Mr Spidey all advice greatly received. I do have the manual for which i guess i need another manual to understand the manual

Geodude · 19-03-11, 03:42 PM

Started doing this again yesterday but it was like there was something stopping the starter from turning? Press starter button starter goes to turn maybe a 1/4 turn but wont like somthing is holding it back? leave for anything from 10 seconds to a minute or two try again and its back to normal? Hard to explain in written form so hope this is understandable.

Geodude · 19-03-11, 06:41 PM

Read on net that starters can have a bad spot, could that be worth investigating? also forgot to mention that its intermittent if that helps.

yorkie_chris · 19-03-11, 07:35 PM

Pull the bugger out and clean the comm up, see if there's any arc damage on the comm segments.

Geodude · 20-03-11, 09:59 AM

Ok will clean comms but Haynes book of lies says use only crocus cloth and i cant find any so whats the equivalent? or do i just use wet and dry even though book says no

04-08-09, 12:42 PM	#1
Geodude Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Durham Posts: 2,673	Lethargic starter motor Dont know why but sometimes when i start bike (sv650 99 naked) i get a very slow few turns on the starter motor which sounds like a flat battery or stuck starter and the bike wont start, but if i try again after a few minutes it works as normal sometimes wether bikes hot or cold? Im stumped as to why or what is the problem. Only had bike a month so the whole DIY mechanic stuff is new to me Any ideas anyone?

04-08-09, 12:44 PM	#2
thedonal Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Lethargic starter motor I've started getting the same thing. The starter may need an overhaul. However, mine was done last October- I would have thought it'd last a little longer than 5,000 miles between overhauls- though it's an old unit (1999 SV).

04-08-09, 12:51 PM	#3
Geodude Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Durham Posts: 2,673	Re: Lethargic starter motor Cheers for quick reply at least i know im not the only one with the problem. TBH ive so far spent more time fixing than riding since i got bike a month ago.

04-08-09, 12:53 PM	#4
Spanner Man Member Mega Poster Join Date: May 2005 Location: Sunbury Middlesex Posts: 1,396	Re: Lethargic starter motor Good afternoon all. It could also be a dodgy solenoid, the internal contacts could have an could be somewhat burnt, therefore causing an intermittent contact. Try bypassing the solenoid next time it happens. Use a hefty piece of metal, or a jump lead clamp between the solenoid contacts. If it cranks ok then it's probably the solenoid at fault. Cheers. __________________ Spanner Man http://stewarts-motorcycles.co.uk/default.html

04-08-09, 01:09 PM	#5
Spiderman Where the hell am I? Mega Poster Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Swingin' thru the urban jungle Posts: 7,451	Re: Lethargic starter motor Obviously i bow to spanner mans wisodom on these things as my mechanical knowledge is very poor, however i did actually take my starter off and gave it a clean up on the old curvey. Surprisingly easy job as long as you get the washers back in the right sequence etc. If you have a Haynes manual and half a brain like me you can do it in half an hour or so. __________________ . "Computers are great! Not for communicating tho. They have one fundamental flaw ... they don't have eyebrows." AlpineCarStereo: you win ....... eeerrr ..... ummm ..... my undying support of you, the greatest Mod this forum has ever known. My Leige. davepreston: i bow to your modding godliness. vixis: He's this really cute Persian tea-boy, Im so not giving you his number :P

19-03-11, 03:42 PM	#7
Geodude Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Durham Posts: 2,673	Re: Lethargic starter motor Started doing this again yesterday but it was like there was something stopping the starter from turning? Press starter button starter goes to turn maybe a 1/4 turn but wont like somthing is holding it back? leave for anything from 10 seconds to a minute or two try again and its back to normal? Hard to explain in written form so hope this is understandable. __________________ Black naked 1999 sv650 which im trying to keep happy Custom paintwork *Saragon Customs* Spray painting *Electrical fault finding guide* and *Regulator rectifier test* Only a biker knows why a dog sticks his head out of a car window.

19-03-11, 06:41 PM	#8
Geodude Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Durham Posts: 2,673	Re: Lethargic starter motor Read on net that starters can have a bad spot, could that be worth investigating? also forgot to mention that its intermittent if that helps. __________________ Black naked 1999 sv650 which im trying to keep happy Custom paintwork *Saragon Customs* Spray painting *Electrical fault finding guide* and *Regulator rectifier test* Only a biker knows why a dog sticks his head out of a car window.

19-03-11, 07:35 PM	#9
yorkie_chris Noisy Git Mega Poster Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Halifax/Leeds Posts: 26,645	Re: Lethargic starter motor Pull the bugger out and clean the comm up, see if there's any arc damage on the comm segments. __________________ Currently Ex Biker Now rebuilding a 63' fishing trawler as a dive boat

20-03-11, 09:59 AM	#10
Geodude Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Durham Posts: 2,673	Re: Lethargic starter motor Ok will clean comms but Haynes book of lies says use only crocus cloth and i cant find any so whats the equivalent? or do i just use wet and dry even though book says no __________________ Black naked 1999 sv650 which im trying to keep happy Custom paintwork *Saragon Customs* Spray painting *Electrical fault finding guide* and *Regulator rectifier test* Only a biker knows why a dog sticks his head out of a car window.

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