GPZ broke down on my way in to work :(

[Dazbo666]

Riding thru city centre traffic, engine temp normal, nothing out of the ordinary etc, when the bike cut out similar to stalling.... (and I coasted to a halt to the side of Central fire station, for any Cardiffians)

I was a bit stuck to try anything other than the most basic checks, petrol and fuses etc. The engine fires occasionally, so I guess the battery and plugs are OK?
But most of the time the engine doesn't fire, and there's a "brrrrrrrp" / clicking noise coming from an "IC Igniter" box under the right side fairing??

I'll get the OH to meet me from work, and bring my battery booster and/or Optimate with her - but any other advice would be gladly welcomed.
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1st bike (Sept'06 - May'10) : 1991 GPZ500S / Current bike (since Nov 2009) : 2003 Suzuki Bandit 600N
Word of the day : DILLIGAF

[stinkwheel]

Well, from your description, it sounds electrical, maybe an intermittant connection?

Check the thick white wire and its terminal where it runs into the main fuse holder (attached to the starter solenoid under the ?left? side plastics) for signs of corrosion/damage.

Make sure the battery terminals are tight.

Engine didn't make any wierd noises just before it conked out?
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Dazbo666]

[Dazbo666]

Would you believe that I just went out to the carpark, and the bike started straight away. Fired up from the first touch of the starter button

I realise this may not neccessarily be a good thing, cos an intermittant problem may be more difficult to find, but at least I should be able to get the bike home and work on it over the weekend.
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1st bike (Sept'06 - May'10) : 1991 GPZ500S / Current bike (since Nov 2009) : 2003 Suzuki Bandit 600N
Word of the day : DILLIGAF

[map]

Quick question. Was it raining/wet on your ride this morning?

If yes then was it a bit dryer when it started?

If so then as stinkwheel suggests, I'd go with electrical.
____________________
...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[Dazbo666]

It wasn't raining this morning, although it had been overnight. The roads etc were already dried/drying up by the time I was riding in... and it was certainly dry in the car park, cos the building overhangs the area where I park the bike.

I'm sure that it's electrical, so all I really need to do for now is get the OH here later in her car, follow her home, and spend an hour or two checking all the connections etc
____________________
1st bike (Sept'06 - May'10) : 1991 GPZ500S / Current bike (since Nov 2009) : 2003 Suzuki Bandit 600N
Word of the day : DILLIGAF

[davidimurray]

Did it just stop - didn't go onto 1 cylinder first? If i was you I'd have a look through the loom connectors with some WD40 and some emery cloth and check for any corrosion.

I had a problem a while back where the float levels went crazy on one carb of my ER5 and it would flood one cylinder and refuse to start. Then after being left for a while it would start and run for a few minutes and then stop. This just happenend instantly.

Might be worth pulling the HT leads of the plugs and giving them some WD40 - not sure if you can do it in situ - I can on the ER5

If you need any tools or anything just give me a shout. I work over at the University on Newport Road so I can either nick some tools from here, or I live in Penylan so I can always pop home and grab stuff.

Cheers

Dave

[Dazbo666]

Yes it just stopped (as if it had stalled). I went thru some of the connections etc, but without tools etc I quickly realised it could be more than just a roadside botch job.

I'd have to take off the tank to get at the HT leads and plugs, but it's not a problem as long as I get her home, then I can take my time over the weekend in my own garage.

Thankfully the OH is meeting me in her car when I finish work, and I'll follow her home (Llanedeyrn / Pentwyn)

Many thanks for the offer tho' Dave
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1st bike (Sept'06 - May'10) : 1991 GPZ500S / Current bike (since Nov 2009) : 2003 Suzuki Bandit 600N
Word of the day : DILLIGAF

[stinkwheel]

I've had the ignition lock switches on them play up on occasion. They click on giving you lights and such but don't connect the ignition properly. WD40 and a good wiggle back and forth usually sorts it out.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Dazbo666]

The ignition was another suggestion I've read elsewhere today too. It's getting a good dose of WD40 tonight, cos I haven't done that for a little while now.

Working on the bike is not a problem, cos I have a certain amount of mechanical experience and confidence (previously involved in the motor trade). I'm usually willing to have a go at most maintenance jobs etc, just that my main concern is actually diagnosing the problem in the first place.
____________________
1st bike (Sept'06 - May'10) : 1991 GPZ500S / Current bike (since Nov 2009) : 2003 Suzuki Bandit 600N
Word of the day : DILLIGAF

[map]

Not sure if this is applicable but 'side stand cut off switch'? Mentioned as I had a problem with one on an old bike. Interesting when it cut the engine at 60ish Another problem I had (same bike) was the kill switch. WD40 sorted both out.

Just mentioning some easy areas to check first before pulling tanks etc.
____________________
...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[Dazbo666]

Well I managed to get the bike home eventually, and charged the battery on the Optimate overnight.

The engine has started up without a problem on the 3 or 4 times I've tried it, but I still have some further concerns....

The bike was on an Optimate charge overnight, but even after some 10 or 12 hours, the charge had apparently still not completed, which IMO is not normal.

Also the headlight, rear light, brake light and number plate light all work, but the indicators do not.
I've checked all the fuses I could find, and the indicator bulbs are OK, but when I try the indicator switch nothing happens

(BTW I'll be going to my regular garage tomorrow morning to pick some orders up, and ask their advice too)
____________________
1st bike (Sept'06 - May'10) : 1991 GPZ500S / Current bike (since Nov 2009) : 2003 Suzuki Bandit 600N
Word of the day : DILLIGAF

[Dalemac]

Could it be the indicator relays?
____________________
YBR125 -> GPZ500S -> SL1000

[Dazbo666]

Good suggestion Dale....
I've just got back from my regular garage, and the 1st suggestion the mechanic had made was to check the indy relay!!
(Unplug the relay after I find it first , and put a split pin across the connection. If the indys light up, it's a dodgy relay).

If the relay is OK it may be the circuit board under the fuse box
____________________
1st bike (Sept'06 - May'10) : 1991 GPZ500S / Current bike (since Nov 2009) : 2003 Suzuki Bandit 600N
Word of the day : DILLIGAF

[Dazbo666]

Just for the record, I managed to get a replacement relay on my way in to work this morning (plus a replacement 30A bladed fuse that I blew while "testing" the relay circuit).

Will be fitting the new relay tonight, and going for a test ride, then hopefully be able to resume riding to work from tomorrow.
____________________
1st bike (Sept'06 - May'10) : 1991 GPZ500S / Current bike (since Nov 2009) : 2003 Suzuki Bandit 600N
Word of the day : DILLIGAF

[big.bee.time]

"But most of the time the engine doesn't fire, and there's a "brrrrrrrp" / clicking noise coming from an "IC Igniter"

this happened to mine and it turned out to be a bad cell it the battery
£40 later it worked so a would try new one hope you get it working

[Dazbo666]

Thanks for the suggestion. I have a spare battery in the garage (currently connected to the Optimate) that I could swap out....

I also recharged the existing battery, and although I'm being cautious and only doing short trips at the moment (and got the OH on standby with my toolkit in her car), the previous cut out problem hasn't returned as yet
____________________
1st bike (Sept'06 - May'10) : 1991 GPZ500S / Current bike (since Nov 2009) : 2003 Suzuki Bandit 600N
Word of the day : DILLIGAF

[bish777]

The battery could be fried- Electronic ignition wont work if the voltage dips too far.

Other things possibly are your alternator being faulty, or a dodgy connection somewhere. Possibly a break in the loom from corrosion.

Make sure you undo, clean and reconnect all connectors you can see. Look for telltale signs of blue corrosion.
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GSXR1100J