GS250T won't turn crank...

[Guest]

Hey guys, I'm a newbie (obviously), and it looks like this is the place to get some help. Now for a little background. I ended up with a GS250T (I'm pretty sure, haven't gotten the title yet) in a trade that "ran well" before the stator was replaced. I've been trying to go through it and put the electrical back together, and I think I've gotten it pretty much back together, but I can't get it to turn over / crank. I believe that the starter solenoid is bad, which isn't the end of the world. My concern is that when I jump the solenoid I get a slight click at the starter and that's it.

Now, with that said, I was also told that the starter was recently replaced as well. I'm not ruling out that the starter is bad, but I'm wondering if there is an easy way to see if the motor will turn over freely. I'm trying to work my way through it, and this is how my logic (or lack there of) works. Can I put a socket on the front sprocket and turn that, or will I be asking for trouble?

Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? I'm open to ideas for sure! I do have a manual, but I can't seem to figure out what I'm looking for.

Thanks in advance!

[78550GS]

Welcome! And start with a fresh battery.

[Vicious]

Thanks for the welcome.

Will do the new battery. I assume there are no downfalls to hooking up a new batter in the event that there was something done incorrectly with the stator install. I can't think of anything off hand, but figure it's better to ask. Thanks again!

[78550GS]

Try here as well. mostly 850 stuff, but tons that should be universal.

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/

[GSX1000E]

If that model is like all of the other GS models, take the ignition cover off and turn the engine clock wise using the 19 mm hex nut to see if it moves freely.

[Vicious]

Replaced the battery and nada. I tried to jump the solenoid and it just makes the same click sound / thunk as it did before. Like it's trying to engage, but can't turn the motor. While the previous owner said it was a "fairly new" starter, I'm guessing it may be a bad starter, too.

If that model is like all of the other GS models, take the ignition cover off and turn the engine clock wise using the 19 mm hex nut to see if it moves freely.

I missed this. It'll be my next step. If it moves freely, I'll be buying a starter and solenoid.

By chance, would there be anything I should look for in the stator install? Seems all the trouble started there.

Thanks again guys!

[terrylee]

If you're jumping the solenoid posts you should get the starter to turn over, if not could be bad starter or could be bad connection from solenoid or starter. Check those connections and clean them up. You should be able to hook up a jump wire from the battery positive and touch it to starter post and should turn over if starter is working. If it doesn't then there is problem with starter. It's could be brushes inside are worn. terrylee

[robertbarr]

It's a little unclear what you mean when you say it won't turn over. To most of us, that means 'the engine will not rotate by any means'. Locked up, IOW.

If it won't rotate (with a wrench on the end of the crank, as mentioned) and the stator was recently messed with, then yeah, there's cause for concern and you shouldn't put too much more effort into rotating the engine; something possibly went wrong with the stator replacement. Some sort of interference that isn't going to improve by increasing the torque applied to the crank.

It's impossible to say what, but we've seen a million varieties of 'oops' on this site... perhaps a screw dropped and was snagged by the rotor magnets, and the PO neglected to retrieve the screw. Who knows? The list of possible problems is endless.

[Vicious]

By won't turn over I had meant, it wouldn't rotate, but I only meant by the power of the starter. I pulled the ignition cover off and the motor spins freely. That eliminates the idea that the stator screwed something up.

Before I replace the starter I'll check the connectivity between it and the solenoid and clean up the wires if they're a mess. I'll also try jumping straight to the starter.

You guys are a wealth of information, and it's certainly greatly appreciated.