No Juice

[Max]

Hi I'm new to this forum, my name is max and I just bought a 1981 GS 750E 16v.
The previous owner had the bike garaged for a year and the battery was dead. I bought a new battery today and put it in the bike, turned the ignition on but the bike would not make a sound when the starter was pushed. I tried the turn signals but nothing happened. I put the battery in my vino 125 scooter to make sure that it was charged, it fired right up.

Any thoughts on what the problem could be?

Electrical?

All input is welcome.

Thanks
Max

 

[DanTheMan]

Did you check fuses? Check all electical connectors (bullet connectors) make sure they're clean and making contact. Glass fuses can look good, the fuse box can look good, but they may not be. You may have to see if the wires on the backside of the fuse box are connected. Ground wires are always suspect. Poor grounding can cause what you describe. Electrical problems must be chased methodically. Do you have a test light and/or a multimeter? You really need those to troubleshoot effectively. good luck.

 

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. Max,

Yes, start with fuses. Make sure the groundstrap from the negative battery terminal to the bottom of the engine case is clean and well-connected. Do the same with the connections on the solenoid and to the fuse box. Now let me share some GS lovin'.


I just stopped by to welcome you to the forum in my own, special way.

If there's anything you'd like to know about the Suzuki GS model bikes, and most others actually, you've come to the right place. There's a lot of knowledge and experience here in the community. Come on in and let me say "HOoooowwwDY!"....

Here is your very own magical, mystical, mythical, mind-expanding "mega-welcome". Please take notice of the "Top 10 Common Issues", the Carb Rebuild Series, and the Stator Papers. Now let me roll out the welcome mat for you...

Please click here for your mega-welcome, chock full of tips, suggestions, links to vendors, and other information. Then feel free to visit my little BikeCliff website where I've been collecting the wisdom of this generous community. Don't forget, we like pictures! Not you, your bike!

Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[cowboyup3371]

Add one more person to the fuse issue as this was my problem on Monday and prevented me from riding at all that day. Same exact symptoms too.

 

[Redman]

Max,

Welcome to GSR.

Sounds like an electrical related problem effecting everything, so first check the Main fuse.

You have a multi meter you can use for troubleshooting?

Did not wire up battery wrong polarity did you?

Although it sounds like a problem that is efffecting everthihng,
when thinking about the starter not kicking in:
- you know about the "kill" switch?
- you know that have to pull the clutch lever in?


Where in general are you located?

Tell us more what you find.

If main fuse blows as soon as you plug in a new fuse, then try disconnecting the regulator/recitifyer.


.

 

[Max]

Thanks for the warm welcomes and many replies.
I will get a multimeter and check the fuses, but should nothing be working (lights, blinkers, horn) when the ignition is on, even with a blown fuse?

Thanks
Max

 

[tom203]

Thanks for the warm welcomes and many replies.
I will get a multimeter and check the fuses, but should nothing be working (lights, blinkers, horn) when the ignition is on, even with a blown fuse?

Thanks
Max

Main fuse stops all flow- as suggested clean or replace, and wiggle connections.Head to Basscliff's site for suitable wiring diagram which will help find the problem. Remember that previous owner could have messed stuff attemping to solve a problem.

 

[cowboyup3371]

Thanks for the warm welcomes and many replies.
I will get a multimeter and check the fuses, but should nothing be working (lights, blinkers, horn) when the ignition is on, even with a blown fuse?

Thanks
Max

If it is the main then probably. But mine was the ignition (starter solenoid, starter button, coils) fuse only so everything else worked great.

 

[Mith]

The engine kill switch will also prevent the starter from turning. Make sure it's off.

 

[Redman]

Thanks for the warm welcomes and many replies.
I will get a multimeter and check the fuses, but should nothing be working (lights, blinkers, horn) when the ignition is on, even with a blown fuse?

Thanks
Max

There is a "Main" fuse, and then are also seperate fuses for headlight, ignition, signals ectera. THis is why folks are suggesting you check the "Main" fuse, since you seem to say that everything is out.

So, no, the binkers (signal), headlight and such will not work if the "Main" fuse is blown even if the Signal or Headlight fuse is okay.

I was asking if you had a multimeter, not so much so you can check fuses, but mors so just to get an idea of how I (and others) can make further suggestions for you later on. Do not really need meter to check fuses as a visuall inspection is good enough (most times).

Other piece of info: THe "kill switch" (when not in "run" position) kills power to the ignition (spark) and the starter button.

So, take a look at your fuses.
You find them yet?
I dont know about your year/model, if they are the glass fuses or the plastic tabs. If the plastic tabs (I dont know proper name) you pretty much have to pull them out to bget a better look at them.

.

 

[Max]

Thanks a lot for the help guys. I located the blown fuse(30A 32V) and replaced it this morning, everything works now. The engine turns over and gives a little putt occasionally but wont fire up, any suggestions?

Thanks
Max

 

[tom203]

Thanks a lot for the help guys. I located the blown fuse(30A 32V) and replaced it this morning, everything works now. The engine turns over and gives a little putt occasionally but wont fire up, any suggestions?

Thanks
Max

Suggestions? lose that 30 amp fuse real quick! My quess is it should be 15 amp for main fuse- if you found a 30 in there, the PO probably was trying to correct a fault the old fashioned way.Spend some time on Basscliff's turf and you'll see the fun that awaits you- don't be intimidated, but realize that 29 year old bikes are bound to need TLC.

 

[BassCliff]

The engine turns over and gives a little putt occasionally but wont fire up, any suggestions?

Hi,

Your "mega-welcome" contains a couple of maintenance lists of things that need to be checked, cleaned, replaced, repaired, adjusted, etc. These classic old bikes sometimes need a lot of TLC to overcome years of neglect and there usually are no shortcuts. Roll up your sleeves, get out your tool box, buy a few parts, and let the helpful folk here guide you.

Yes, get rid of that 30 amp fuse. The main fuse should be 15 amp/12 volt.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[Redman]

Thanks a lot for the help guys. I located the blown fuse(30A 32V) and replaced it this morning, everything works now. The engine turns over and gives a little putt occasionally but wont fire up, any suggestions?

Thanks
Max

Max,

Comments & suggestions:

- add your bike year/model in signature line, so that shows up in all your posting, so we vcan see that without having to search back thru.

- add your location in your profile. Maybe someone is nearby that would be willing to help.
(signature line and profile both in UserCP).

- take out spark plugs, lay them on engine head. See if making spark. This is just a basic test of ignition system, but something easy to do, and a good place to start.

- check your other fuses.

- get 15 amp fuse for the main. (10 amps for the others) Withthat 30 amp fuse in there if there were to be a problem such tat is drawing say 25 amps then it would not blow fuse but would be melting wiring and connectors. [dont worry about voltage rateing of fuse]

- look at BassCliff list of other things to check.

Question for you:
The gas tank have a petcock? (I am not that familiar with Es)
You havent mentioned anything about what you have been doing with it.

.

 

[Redman]

When I say to check the other fuses, that suggestion is not related to why it will not start. The ignition fuse (and main fuse) is only one that will keep it from not starting. And since the ignition fuse powers the ignition AND the starter button, and since You say the starter is cranking, than I would think the ignition fuse must be okay (assuming stock wiring.)
(I am looking at GS750 schematic from BassCliff BikeCliff website).

Reason I suggest checking other fuses is related to the original fact that you found the main fuse blown <<and a 30 amp at that!>>. ANd you replaced the main fuse, and apprenetly it is not blowing and you haven't done anything else. Makes me wonder if another fuse is blown also and when you do replace that other fuse, then maybe sometime later (or immeadailty) they will both blow again when you do something to make it happen again.

Tell us more what you find.
Lots of folks here willing to help (and most know what they are talking about), and more folks are likley to come along other than what have commented so far.

.

 

[Max]

I replaced all of the fuses today and converted the main to 15A.

I checked to see if the spark plugs were firing, they were but I put in new ones anyway.

I cleaned my carbs thoroughly, soaking them overnight in "Gunk".

I have been reading that a leaky air box can affect performance, I don't currently have one installed, could this be the problem?

The tank does have a petcock but I am using a temp. tank (funnel to fuel line) at the moment as the tank has some rust and needs a clean.
(Info no how to free tank of rust would also be great.)

P.S. The previous owner had the cylinder head cleaned and resurfaced and the valves adjusted just prior to parking it for a year.

Thanks
Max

 

[tom203]

I replaced all of the fuses today and converted the main to 15A.

I checked to see if the spark plugs were firing, they were but I put in new ones anyway.

I cleaned my carbs thoroughly, soaking them overnight in "Gunk".

P.S. The previous owner had the cylinder head cleaned and resurfaced and the valves adjusted just prior to parking it for a year.

Thanks
Max

If you spend some time in Basscliff's domain, you will discover the standard problems ( and how to deal with them). Just how did you clean these carbs? diassemble, etc ? It should start without airbox but will run poorly. Unless you know PO (and have lots of faith), be suspicious of any work he claims to have done. Good thinking to use temp fuel tank till you get other stuff sorted out.

 

[DanTheMan]

Fuel tank cleaning and coating procedure on BassCliff's mega site. The airbox is mucho important! If you get it to run even poorly without it, you're doing good, but it'll be way too lean to continue to run. If you're getting it to "putt", trying to run but not quite getting there that could be the reason.

 

[Max]

I have all of the receipts from the PO for the work that was done.

I cleaned the carbs by following the instructions (disassembled completely and soaked overnight in "Gunk") on basssclif's site.

 

[DanTheMan]

Of course, if you haven't done valve adjustments yet, that will play a very large part in the no start problem as well, the "putt, putt" will be all you'll get.