A funny starting problem - GSXR 400

[M1ghtyDUck]

I've been having a weird intermittent starting problem on my GSXR 400 (GK76A '92 model) ever since I did a long journey on it. (coincidence?)

Basically, what happens is when I go to start it, I push the starter button, there's a bit of a clicking sound, almost like you get with a flat battery, then the electrics just all go off. Like I'd blown a fuse or something.

However, after a few seconds, or by rocking the bike back and forward a bit, the neutral and oil light will usually come back on. At which point I can try again.

The battery definately isn't flat, because while sometimes it will do the clicky thing and turn off all the electrics, sometimes it will roar into life like it always did. No problems at all.

This makes me thing there's maybe a dodgy connection somewhere? If never conks out while running or anything like that, so maybe the large current needed to turn over the starter motor somehow does something? I'm not really sure.

How would I go about checking for a dodgy connection? (unless it's something else?) Best to check the battery terminals itself or is it likely to be somewhere else? Anyone with similar experiences?

Thanks a lot.

[Pie-Roe]

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=143298

Everything explained.

In short, make sure firstly that your battery connectors and terminals are both clean, then follow the route from the battery to the starter motor.

Check solonoid.
Have a read of above thread.

Pyro
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[M1ghtyDUck]

Awesome thanks. karma

[ghost666]

hi ive also got a gk76a j reg bike runs like a dream wen i can get it runing lol dnt quite understand wat it is maybe and earth wire ive tryed the rectifier thought it had sorted it.Took it out for a ride went fine came bck let it stand for 15-20mins tryed starting it again and it just did the same thing it keeps doin . Sometimes wen i try to start it,it just clicks once and doesnt even turn the motor over ??????????? i play with the kill switch and turn the ignition on and off and sometimes it just starts first time any ideas ?????? i recently renewedthe ht leads and plugs and cleaned out carbs so............. lol any ideas many thanks ghost666

[prawny1]

invest in some electrical contact cleaner, then take your switchgears off and spray all the inside, if you can get to it try spraying the contacts in the bottom of the ignition barrel and just generaly go over the bike making sure every thing is tight and plugged in as it should be.

if you see any contacts that look obviously burnt then you can clean them up with some fine sandpaper (800 grit or higher) before plugging them bach together.

for future referance, (not relating to the clicking problem here) the suzuki 400 engines suffer with weak pick up/pulser coils, making the bike run on two cylinders intermitently (some times loses all sparks) mostly when the bike warms up.

[ghost666]

ok i will try that have done that to some of the wires but not gone through the whole bike the clicking noice seems to come form under the riders seat tho im thinking its the solonoids??????

[prawny1]

Chances are the poor conection/slicking is in the starter or the soleniod, but the switch gear and ignition switch are easier to access so worth checking/ cleaning up first, and you did mention jiggling the key/switches seems to help suggesting bad connections on that end.

The starter motors on most bikes can be rebuilt pretty easy, its just getting hold of the parts that can prove troublesome, i have ended up salvaging brushes from other starters in the past because no one could get replacements in time.

[TAX MY BRAIN]

A bit late now i know,
But i had same problem as you discribe on a gsxr 400 gk71,
i tried new soliniod didnt cure the problem, cleaned all the contact's and earth's..............
Turned out to be the earth wire on the battery, the wire inside had gone green and was breaking down,
So i cut the wire back added new battery terminal job done aint been no bother since
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