Suzuki GS500E starter issue

[Leodbroga]

Hi guys, I swear I only post here when the machine is playing up but I seek your collective knowledge once again!

Recently my GS has developed a problem in that it won't start on the button anymore. It was perfectly fine until one day where pressing the starter resulted in a single *click* coming from what I believe is the solenoid. Now I've replaced the battery thinking it would be that simple but of course that's done bugger all to resolve it, so upon further investigation I've read that a single click from the solenoid indicates it's working as intended, and that possibly the starter motor has gone.

The bike does bump start after a bit of coercion, but that's kinda impractical for a daily ride, to say the least of looking like a complete muppet every time I stop. So I come to you, asking your views on the matter and if so, how did you resolve it?

Cheers guys.
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Yamaha SR125; Yamaha XJR 400; Suzuki GS500E

[P.]

Put it in gear and rock it back and forth. Clutch in and hit the start button. Does that work at all?

Also double check the fuse on the solenoid, shouldn't affect it but my GS's both had a weird issue and it was due to them being really corroded.

[hmmmnz]

a click doesnt mean that the contacts inside the solenoid are ok though,
95/100 its the solenoid that is buggered,
put your meter on the starter motor and push the start button and see if the voltage is getting through.

my money is on a fucked solenoid, the gs very rarely has any issues with the mechanical side to the starter
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the humans are dead
I kick arse for the lord
Wiring Diagrams BIDNIP it bitches

[P.]

[hmmmnz]

another 2 and we'll make that 5 out of a hundred,
you are literally the first person ive ever heard of thats had a problem with a starter motor on a gs,
____________________
the humans are dead
I kick arse for the lord
Wiring Diagrams BIDNIP it bitches

[Robby]

Look at the solenoid first. It's easier and cheaper to change than the starter motor. If you're lucky, you may be able to take it apart and clean it up.

Remember a solenoid is just a heavy duty relay, so you don't need to fit an exact replacement. I know that on Nowhere_Elysium's GS650 he had the original, then a cheap one off a Chinese bike, and now has some sort of much smaller solid state unit that looks rather nice.

[TheCatSatOnTh...]

The solenoid on my GS500 had to be replaced several times. This is due to the silly location; water eventually gets into it. I have a spare one ready to install now at all times. If you're in Bucks you're welcome to try it to see if it fixes the problem.

My symptoms I had was press the starter, hear a click, repeat a few times, eventually the bike would start. Also have a confirmed good battery to try if you would like too.

[orac]

well insulted screw driver acros the bolt terminal (beware big spark will normally result), if it start then it the solinoid, if its still the same, then you have some other issue.

i actually used the screwdriver trick for a couple of days when the solenoid malfunctioned on the bandit. it clicked but would not turn the motor
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Current rides - 2016 Triumph Street Triple Rx, 1994 Suzuki Bandit 400 VM, TGB 204 Classic 125cc
"with nothing left to lose, there is everything to gain. It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog"

[map]

How easy to remove starter motor?
Could be it just needs taking apart and cleaning up the commutator and getting rid of carbon from the bushes/brushes.
You can check the brushes for wear and if you're lucky just be able to replace.

I would do that before spending money on new bits (I am tight like that)
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...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?

[Leodbroga]

Hi guys, firstly thank you all for your advice, it's been a bit of a busy week so today has been the first time I could actually put a few of these into action.

Right, I just tried bridging the solenoid with a screwdriver to see if it'd start that way - got absolutely no response, so for the sake of a tenner I've bought a new one that should get here next week.
Bloody hate electrics; I appreciate it's a just a process of elimination but I honestly have no clue over what's gone wrong.
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Yamaha SR125; Yamaha XJR 400; Suzuki GS500E

[Leodbroga]

So it isn't the solenoid.

Replacement fitted and absolutely no change. A single loud click from the aforementioned unit but that's still it. Is my starter motor dead?
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Yamaha SR125; Yamaha XJR 400; Suzuki GS500E