Suzuki Igiontion Problem

[sainttm]

I have a Suzuki SV650 (my first bike) and I have been having some problems with the starter. It sometimes takes several attempts to get it started. It doesnt sound like it is even trying to turn over at first and then it will just work.

I know that you have to hold in the clutch before pressing the starter and it also has an alarm/imobosier which are off, so its not that either.

I rung up the dealer and they said that it is the contact on the starter and its a known issue with quite alot of Suzukis. Does that sound right? Surely if Suzuki had this problem and it was a wide known issue then the sales would suffer as no one would buy a bike that might not start or have to pay out for a new starter swtich.

Can anyone tell me more about this please (as simply as possible as I get lost on technical talk lol)

Cheers
Shane

[Scotsman37]

It could be several basic things that could be causing it;

The battery requires to be removed and recharged using a proper bike battery recharger (You can get a Draper Bike Battery recharger at Halfords for £20). I would check it's fluid level marked on the side of it to make sure it's sitting between the minimum & maximum before attempting a recharge! When removing a battery always disconnect the '-' cable first before the '+' to avoid the chance of discharging the battery's power.

The battery itself maybe at fault which would mean you need to buy a new one. So check it with a multimeter after recharging it and see if it shows 12v or a little bit more then it's good but if it's less than say 10v still then the battery is no good.

Disconnect & reconnect the wiring connection blocks from the set of wiring up to the point where it connects into the fuse box too as there maybe crap from the road accumulated in them causing a grounding. You may find that there is another connection block situated just under the fuel tank and that needs to be done as well.

Open up starter switch and check to make sure there is no visible sign of corrosion within there and for good measure spray it WD40 as that may help drive out water from it.

[sickpup]

As you say it does nothing when you first press the starter open up the R/H switch gear and spray the starter contacts with contact cleaner.

[sainttm]

Its not starting at all now. Im not very mechanically minded and Ive been told that you can jump starting it.

I tried to get the dealer to get the bike and look at it, like they were going to but 'NO' 'they cant pick it up' 'i have to get it there' .... only snag is (get this) I cant start it to get it there and they have to have it to get itto start....brilliant!

Real good customer support now isnt it!?!

God im getting really peed off and I just feel like ive been ripped off, first the battery died after a day, then it kept cutting out (stalling) and wouldnt start on ocation and now it wont start at all. Ive not even had the bike 2 weeks.

[Scotsman37]

To test if the engine will start use a large plastic handled screwdriver and place it across the solenoid, but be carefull as you could electrocute yourself if you don't handle the screwdriver properly. Doing this will allow you to see if the engine will actually start.

Check your fuse box as you may have a faulty fuse and double check your wiring loom as you may have a loose wire or you may have faulty HT lead(s) that connect on top of the spark plugs due to corrosion of the lead.

[Guest]

How old/what mileage is the bike? Whereabouts are you?

[stinkwheel]

[tank1300]

I've also bought a Suzuki SV650 '99 model and I've had exactly the same problem. Obviously the guy I bought it off kept his mouth shut, so I asked around the local garages and few fellow mechanics. Stuck a new battery in her the other day and she seems to be fine for now. I'll have to see how she'll cope this week. A mate also told me that because it's a V-twin engine, it's hard to catch the turn of the engine (not 100% sure if that's true).

[sainttm]

Ok, from the top as they say;

I brought the bike from a dealer in derby (John Carr Motorcycles) and i live in Lincoln. The bike is a 2001 K1 model (or 51 plate). It has 26k on the clock.

It has a meta cat 1 immobiser/alarm, it also had to have a restricter fitted (as i have a restricted licence). It also has a scottoiler fitted (although Im not sure if it works, as the dealer didnt tell me it had one).

I had the bike delivered to me on Friday 28th Jan. When it was brought here the driver started the bike several times and demerstrated the alarm system.

I then went to start it on the Saturday (the next day) and the battery dead. The bike made a sound as it tried to turn over but the lights dimmed and the more you tried it the less nosie the engine made. I then rung my uncle who told me its a falt battery. i then asked my neighbour to look at it and he confirmed it was a flat battery and charged it up on the monday night and fitted it on Tuesday afternoon.

I then started the bike Tuesday evening and it started fine, I went for a ride (about 30miles) and stalled it a couple of times and had trouble starting it. The bike was at junctions mainly when it happened, I would knock it down to 1st, hold in the clutch and then press the starter and nothing would happen. I put the bike in netural, let go of the clutch and then pull it back in and tried it again..again nothing. Let go of the clutch and retried it and it started..just like that.

Well I thought it was just me stalling it and buggering something up.

I then went to work on the bike on Wednesday, stalled it a through a few times and had the same trouble starting it. Then coming home it was better, I was getting the hang of riding it and never stalled it (went abit wobbly with the accelration but it is my first bike and its alot bigger than the 125cc i learnt on..just so happens to be a suzuki).

So I then come down with a blimmin cold and desided that I would use the car till im better (still doddgy and its been a week now...lives sweet) BUT I did book it in for the dealer to look at it. He said when I first rung up its a known issue and that you have to replace the entire starter switch. I rung him up the other day and he then changed his mind when I wanted it looking at under the warrenty, he then said that it will JUST need a strip down and cleaning.

I go to start it yesterday (just to give it a small run and help the battery) but it didnt do a thing...not a sound, having tried the immobiser and clutch, gear selecting (thats about all I can think of) nothing works.

I havent managed to get to speak to the neighbour yet (its possible he reads this forum and figured out its me and isnt answering the door as im a pain in the ass lol).

I have also been a pain in the ass to my uncle and he is coming over this saturday (baring any sudden changes in plans) and well try to fix it.

Well I hope this has helped to clear up some of the questions, I dont think Ive missed anything...or if I have its because I havent a clue.

Cheers
Shane

[stinkwheel]

It sounds like your battery might be almost completley discharged. If you charge the battery and it works again, you have found the problem.

Do the lights (dash and headlights) come on? Do they dim when you press the starter button?

Alarms are hard on motorcycle batteries (which are only small) it is perfectly possible that a battery that is borderline could have been flattened by the alarm over the course of a week.

It could well need a new battery, not an unusual occurrance at this time of year. The starter motor needs a good punch of charge to swing over a v-twin. The sealed motorcycle batteries they sell in Halfords are pretty good (which surprised me), I have one on my 660cc single and it gives the engine a good old boot.
____________________
“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.

[Kickstart]

Hi

Agree with Stinky. Sounds to me like a battery that is just about to pop its clogs. Using the starter does take a fair amount out of the battery, so a few stalls and use of the starter will be giving it a hard time. Also quite possible that the bike had sat in the dealer since the summer with the alarm flattening the battery on a regular basis.

Charge the battery up and keep a close eye on it. However at 4 years old it could well be on borrowed time. My Bandit battery lasted five and a half years from new which I was exceptionally pleased with (and which caused me to splash out on an expensive Yuasa battery to replace it). On this for about the last 2 months of its life it would be fine to start the bike it you got it right first time, but otherwise it would not start the bike. Then one day it started the bike and ran fine until I stopped in a lay bye, at which point it was as dead as a dodo. Suspect what had finished it off was going fairly flat when the bike was not in use.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[sainttm]

Hi all,

My uncle managed to sort out the problem.

Long story short its the clutch switch playing up. Col managed to short the switch out with two connectors on a peace of wire and then just plugged into the switch and it now starts all the time.

Ive booked (or still booking) the bike in to get the switch replaced this weekend.

Thanks everyone for their advise and help.

Shane