Suzuki SV650 not starting

[landrcma]

Hi there,



My SV650 refuses to start, it has fuel and charged battery. When I switch the ignition on, it makes a rapid clicking noise (I took a video of the noise)
Edit: New link: https://youtu.be/ucBKMoVEf_0


I had a call out for the exact same issue few weeks ago, and at the local repair shop they mentioned some water in the tank. They changed the oil+filter, and the receipt mentions a "brusher kit" and "2xplug".

£200 later, it was starting fine but it sat outside, under a protective sheet (and a little roof) and now refuses to start.

Would you have any advice on what I could check?

I have to wait another month before being able to use another call out as per my breakdown cover so would very much appreciate any solution (otherwise it costs £100 to bring the bike to the repair shop...)



Thanks a lot!

[MarJay]

Battery may be charged but it sounds like it might be f*cked. Get a new one, and find a dry place to store the bike if you can. Covers can be good if they stay fitted, but the wind often affects them. Once water gets in it can't get out.

Sounds like the garage didn't have a clue as to actually what was wrong. Do you have access to a multimeter? Can you measure the voltage across the battery terminals? The clicking is the starter relay, and it will often do that if there is not enough juice in the battery.

Also, that noise happens when you're pressing the starter, not when you turn the ignition on - there's a difference and it's worth pointing out in case anyone wants to answer the thread without watching the video. Something for the future, wetransfer is a bloody scary way of viewing videos online. May I reccomend an unlisted Youtube link next time?
____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[kolu]

sounds like the pump doesn't want to pump, maybe?
1st or 2nd generation? if 2nd (K3 and on models) then what is the error code (get a paperclip to access the dealer mode fault display)?

also, similar noise gives starter relay when the battery is flat (it clicks, tries to move the starter motor, battery goes "fuck" and shuts down, and then it goes on and on and on again...). does it do this noise when you turn the ignition on by with the key or when you press the starter button?

[jaffa90]

As MarJay states about the garage, it sounds like the starter relay switch contacts are welding together with low voltage (amps really) uses over a period.
Again have you a multimeter?

[steve the grease]

Classic symptom of a discharged battery. At this time of year it will be dead rather than just flat. A good battery can be left and only lose a few percent a month. A knackered battery goes flat overnight. You need a new battery , and incidently you also need a new bike mechanic / garage as the last one obviously couldn't diagnose a flat tyre.
The contacts don't weld together, although they will be damaged by repeatedly operating the clicking solenoid. As soon as the starter is pressed the solenoid initially engages. (1) As soon as a load is put on the battery (the starter) the voltage drops dramatically and the solenoid disengages. As soon as it disengages the voltage rises and the contacts close again >(1) repeat

They changed the oil and filter?! WTF
____________________
All the above is my personal opinion, you can see my lips move, but I'm talking out of my arse.
I've been riding, and fixing , bikes for 50 years, in that time the more I learn, the less I am absolutely sure of.....

[Robby]

The file transfer site wants me to sign up, so I haven't seen the video.

Usually clicking from the starter relay means a flat battery, but in this case you did mention a brusher kit. Assuming that means starter motor brushes, then that could be the problem. You can also get a click from the relay when they're a problem with the starter motor - usually worn or jammed brushes, sometimes a lot of dirt getting in the way.

[davebike]

Dead battery
common in cold weather batteries do not do well in the cold

PS I hate you choise of file sharing had to agreee to sign up to download
____________________
Dave
NC750Xdct + others at work !
[email protected]

[doggone]

See what it does with jump leads on if at all possible.

The battery can't turn it over but it isn't necessarily because it's not got enough charge.
You might have bad starter or solenoid (which engages it).
Or something else making the motor unusually difficult to turn over.

If it is the battery obviously charging it might help but then need to assess why it has gone flat, could be problems with charging system or faulty component leaking to earth.
Or relatively sudden failure of battery.
Or just normal slow drain if you didn't use it for 2 or 3 weeks.
Some alarms and immobilisers for example will drain your small bike battery in a week or less if it isn't on trickle charge.

[kolu]

[tom_e]

I guess "brusher kit" may have been starter motor brushes.

Try bridging the starter relay to make sure it's not stuck and then try a new battery.

[landrcma]

Hi everyone, thank you so much for your replies

I somehow didn't get any notifications so had no idea there were a few replies waiting - apologies for that & for how the video was uploaded, apparently you all hated it; ha! -I put a new link in the original post for people encountering the same issue-

Your comments were absolutely spot on.

In the end, I invested in a multimeter and a battery charger.
When I tested the battery, it was around 11.9V and dropping to 6V when trying to start the bike. I assumed it was charged because I could turn on the lights (rookie mistake).
It was also dropping significantly with the lights on.
The rapid ticking/clicking noise was happening when pressing the starter indeed, and not when turning the key. Also, it was a 1st gen SV650S

I charged it overnight (took 10h+ to reach "charged" status - significantly discharged in just a few weeks) and fitted it back and the bike started fine. I re-tested it a few days later (so the battery can hold the charge for a few days) & went for a longer ride and didn't get any additional issue (yet).

I got a new battery in the meantime as well, so would just need to fit that in later to be on the safe side.

The local repair shop also mentioned it was running on one cylinder, probably a few simultaneous issues (?) -the shop has excellent online reviews and has been there for 30Y+ so I would give them some credibility but that's my first bike and I'm no mechanic so have to trust them on that -

[MarJay]

If it's running on one it'll be water in the front cylinder plug hole. If you pull out the plug cap and see what's what you might be able to sort it. Apparently you can get waterproof plug caps for jetskis that help, or a fenda extenda or whatever they are called these days is also supposed to help.
____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Easy-X]

[MarJay]

[Robby]

The SV is more than the sum of it's parts, but man were those parts cheap.

[Tdibs]

It just needs cleaning now and then, its that simple.
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