Starter Problem

The SV has been doing something really wierd as of late. Most of the time it will start as if nothing was wrong, but on the odd occasion you push the starter and nothing happens. The neutral light and red light underneath goes off and the display reads 'check'.

It does this for a few seconds and then works as normal, sometimes taking about 30 secs to set itself right.

So this leads me to think its probably the battery, because it took a full five minutes to start today. But the next time i go to start it everything is perfect.

Is there anything that I should look at other than battery/fuses? I'm hoping its a loose connection, because I really can't afford another starter motor.

Cheers.

Forgot to say, when it dies, there is no turnover. The lights stay on but you get that wierd 'click' noise, suggesting a busted fuse.

[fizzwheel]

I'd wager its your battery not being charged properly because you reg / rec is faulty...

have a search its been covered before... there should be some stuff in a thread somewhere that tells you what voltages to check for.

Hey all, me again!

On a similar line, having just had a £400 service including new battery and alternator/regulator fitted I've just tried my bike after not having ridden for five days and it won't fire. Looked for conections and tried a jump from my mates car(for the first time) all no good. Lights are fine and alarm is responding OK, do you think I need a charge in the battery or some other problem? There is not the usual 'clicking' from the starter button..

Cheers

Sorry Davido, I'm thinking I've hijacked your thread. Sorry

if the lights are fine...its not the battery IMO sounds like it could be the clutch or side stand switch

Davido- sounds like (a) ground (sorry, earth) problem, check both ends of the cable. Or (b) the starter 12V lead to me, especially when the dash lamps go out when you hit the starter. Likewise, if the lights work as normal and don't dim, and the starter is clicking, really sounds like the starter hot lead. Look at both ends of the starter lead, clean them up and make sure they are tight. Due to the heatshrink on the ends, it is difficult to inspect for rotted wire and you do not give the age of your bike or the conditions you ride in, so is hard to know if this could be a problem. Do you have, or can you borrow, a multimeter to troubleshoot the circuit with? Don't replace the battery until you have actually measured what it is doing, may not fix your problem.

seandixie- hovi5 sounds really on the ball- I have had problems with the clutch switch myself. Easy to check with a piece of copper wire, just pull the plugs, jumper across the plug connections to test.

To all: whenever disconnecting any electrical connector on a motorcycle or automobile, always smear with a coating of automotive dielectric silicon grease, especially those of you who live in a wet climate. I use it all the time and I live in a desert, except for the snow in the winters. Available at any auto parts store (autofactors?), a small tube will do a lot of connections and will protect the coated ends from moisture and the corrosion that results. Less than $5 US a tube, very cheap insurance. Do not use chassis grease, Vasoline is better than that, but still not as good as the silicon stuff.

Cheers Paul, I've got a mate with a multimeter so we'll have a look at some point.

Oh and further specs of my bike: Bought new in June, 6,400 miles. Rode in all conditions.

Oh and the lights dim as well when you push the starter, so would this still be a connection problem or lead back to the battery?

Cheers again for the help.

Hi Davido

Ive had exactly the same problems with my curvy. Even the dash lights dim and everything! I would be interested in what you find out. Mine came to a head on weds when the battery went completely flat and wouldnt do a thing! Some people suggested that it may be the reg/rec so you may want to check this.

Search under reg/rec and Sid_Squid, he seems to know what hes talking about. I think the forum title is How to check your charging system, or something similar

Thanks guys, I'll check it out. Trouble is the timing my free time with daylight hours and no rain....
No garage - bummer!

As has been said before really. However, the main difference here is the fact that the LCD says "CHEC".

To me, this points at a faulty switch. After checking the wiring diagram, the starter button takes positive from the kill switch, and negative runs to the clutch switch. From here, it runs to the starter relay.

I'd be looking at the full length of the wire there, everywhere from the indicator/sidestand relay through to the starter relay.

Orange/black from the indicator/sidestand relay goes up to a loom connector, and into the kill switch. From here, it's Orange/White into the starter, and then Yellow/Green all the way back to the starter relay.

HTH.