Non starter

[Graham Bathgate]

Hi wondering if I can get some advice.

Went to start the 14 but when I pull in the clutch put the Sidestrand up, press the starter the engine doesn't turn and when I take my finger off the button there's a noise like a whizzing sound.
I'm thinking along the lines of the starter clutch not engaging but before I start taking the L/H casing off to get at the starter clutch I was wondering if someone could throw a bit light on the subject.
Looked at the suzuki workshop manual I have and it's saying to use a bit cable straight from the battery to the starter motor bypassing the solenoid to check the starter, but with the whizzing sound I think it's working.
Going to dive down and try that tomorrow with a bit 25mm electric meter cable.
Never ever had this problem on any of my other bikes so wish me luck

[Del]

Hi Graham

did you try rocking the bike back and forward whilst in gear - then try to start again sometime the starter can jam up if bike been sitting

Del

[Eric GSX1400K3]

Whirring noise would be high pressure fuel pump.  Try to wriggle the connectors at the clutch lever, theres a microswitch there that can cause issues.  Also check the sidestand switch, these can gum up with road grime etc and then not work.

Good luck

[Hooli]

What age bike?

K5s had an issue with the stator retaining bolt coming loose & as the starter works on the edge of that, it could be what's happened if the starter is spinning but the engine isn't. If it is that, maybe use a new bolt as people have found they come loose again when tightened.

[Graham Bathgate]

Hi Graham

did you try rocking the bike back and forward whilst in gear - then try to start again sometime the starter can jam up if bike been sitting

Del

I am going down today and will try again armed with my bit cable and try bypassing the solenoid 

[Graham Bathgate]

Whirring noise would be high pressure fuel pump.  Try to wriggle the connectors at the clutch lever, theres a microswitch there that can cause issues.  Also check the sidestand switch, these can gum up with road grime etc and then not work.

Good luck

It could be the fuel pump but this sounds like an electric motor spooling down though I will be having a look for bad connections 

[Graham Bathgate]

What age bike?

K5s had an issue with the stator retaining bolt coming loose & as the starter works on the edge of that, it could be what's happened if the starter is spinning but the engine isn't. If it is that, maybe use a new bolt as people have found they come loose again when tightened.

The bike is a 2006 model and yep that's the same lines I'm thinking, whizzing sound being starter spinning but not doing anything 

[seth]

Check the alternator bolt
If you can't get it running give me a shout I'll cone down and have a look as I'm only at Perth.
You have a pm with my number

[Mick_J]

Graham, have you been in the fuel tank and cleaned the fuel pump recently, could be your bypass valve has blown off, I had the same thing happen to me after servicing/cleaning the pump, teh plastic clip gives so you need to wire it in.

[Graham Bathgate]

Rocked it back and forward in gear, seemed to be turning the engine a bit. Put bit cable from (supposedly fully charged) battery to started nothing! hmm put jump leads from the car onto the bike battery, it starts!!! but when jump lead disconnected it conks out.
SO it looks like the battery is knackered ! god knows what the whizzing noise was, it sounds like it was from the right hand side? but with my ears being what they are I wouldn't swear to it
I'll see what it is like with the new battery probably wed/thur before I get down to the 14 again
Let you all know how it goes.

Thanks again 

[Hooli]

Hmm I won't swear to this as it's a bit I've never taken apart but....

I think the starter sprag clutch can fail to engage due to low voltages. So a knackered batt could be spinning the starter without engaging it. That'd explain your noise.

[Graham Bathgate]

Got new battery and going to fit it tomorrow. She did start with a jump from the car but while running if I took the jump lead off it started ticking over dead lumpy and eventually cut out.
I'll let you all know what it was hopefully just the starter motor spinning but not engaging due to the battery being bleeped.

[Graham Bathgate]

Well looks like it WAS the battery. Fitted new fully charged and it started no bother, never ever had an issue like that with any of my previous bikes with electric starters (750F2 Honda, GS1000, GSX1100) so as they say "every day is a school day"

Thanks guys

[Grumpy old man]

Now that you have a runner what is the voltage at the battery at idle and again at 2000 rpm

[Graham Bathgate]

If I remember correctly it was 13.something and at 5000 rmp was 13.18

All I want now is the warmer weather LOL