Intermittent Starter Problem - 650 Pointy

[Seeker]

If it does it again, press and hold the starter switch and jiggle (tech term) the clutch lever - ie pull and release and see if it makes any difference.

[aesmith]

Thanks. I think replacing the clutch switch might make sense as a precaution.

I might also look at bypassing the side stand switch, or maybe the whole side stand relay stuff. I don't like the idea of so many components sitting there ready to stop the bike starting or running. I can't see a big safety reason for the side stand cut out, I've ridden plenty of bikes without such a thing.

[Cragybar]

Hi there, I'm new on here, been building bikes for 15 years adjust saw this did you ever find your problem? I've just had 2 svs with the exact same issue 1 was the clutch switch as expecyed, the other was a bit weird. The wire where it joins to the starter motor had actually corroded and come loose from the metal loop. It felt tight but was that badly coroded it was only passing power intermittently.

Any way I know this is an old thread and I hope you got sorted.

[Adam Ef]

Originally Posted by aesmith

I might also look at bypassing the side stand switch, or maybe the whole side stand relay stuff. I don't like the idea of so many components sitting there ready to stop the bike starting or running. I can't see a big safety reason for the side stand cut out, I've ridden plenty of bikes without such a thing.

I rode off with the sidestand down on my my old 250 once (no cutout switch) and the first left turn was "interesting". Nearly got buckarood off to the right.

[SV650rules]

Originally Posted by Adam Ef

I rode off with the sidestand down on my my old 250 once (no cutout switch) and the first left turn was "interesting". Nearly got buckarood off to the right.

Good point, hard to ride off with a centre stand down, but side-stand is another matter - and can be very nasty.

And by-passing clutch switch on modern bikes can cause problems with cutting out when coming up to junctions,
the clutch switch not just a safety interlock but also tells ECU extra information, this is worth a read..

https://www.svrider.com/threads/engi...ame-on.253762/

[aesmith]

Hi,
I thought I'd updated the thread, sorry. I tested exactly as suggested, next time it didn't fire straightaway I kept the starter button down and clutch held in, and jiggled the clutch lever. First jiggle the starter gave a little cough, next one it fired back up.

So it was the clutch switch which I think was the very first suggestion. I fixed it by dismantling, cleaning and lubricating the switch. It's very simple and I can't see what can go wrong other than sticking. Or breaking it when taking it apart.

I've not done anything yet about bypassing the interlocks, but my current thoughts are ...
Side stand switch - I think the easiest way would be to solder jumpers inside the relay. Easy to revert by replacing the relay, and as well as the side stand switch I can cut out some diodes which could also be possible failure points.

Clutch switch - I can't see how to make this easily reversible but what's needed is to cut the wire that comes from the starter solenoid, and permanently ground it. The switch (when working) will be sensed by the ECU exactly as standard. If it fails then ECU operation maybe slightly degraded, but the bike's not immobilised.

[Bibio]

do not bypass the safety switches. the pointy especially the twin sparks need the circuit to be in place of it starts playing funny beggars when coming to a stop at lights etc.etc.


in reality the switches cost peanuts. just get new ones. BTW the side stand one is pretty bullet proof but the clutch ones go all the time.

[aesmith]

I don't have the marked up sketch in front of me at the moment, but the changes I was considering would leave the clutch switch operation unchanged from an ECU point of view. Unless the switch fails, in which case operation would be degraded, but better than stuck immobilised somewhere.

It's not just the switches, these interlocks involve extra wiring and connectors.

[SV650rules]

Maybe you can fit an extra manually operated switch to bypass both clutch and sidestand switches if you want to in an emergency - and at the same time fit a ( hidden ) switch to simulate sidestand being down even when it is up, and clutch not pulled in even when it is, make a good immobiliser.