is my starter motor gone or going? gs850g

[Guest]

Hi there,
This bike has never had any probs for years, minus a little low compression. 100, 85, 100, 90. a few days ago i added some stop smoke oil viscocity increasing fluid to stop oil getting past the rings. it ran fine for a few days, but now it wont start!
battery is fully charged. is this a coincidence or has the changed oil affected the motor? thanks!
doesnt have a kickstart lever, and is at teh bottom of a hill so i cant roll it without towing it out

[Redman]

Was interested to see how much the dash lights dimmed when cranked it over (but camera moved away) as some way to get some idea how strong the battery is.
Did seem like the starter was slowing down real quick, like a weak battery.

Does sound like a bit of a growl from the starter motor. But hard to tell from recording.

Lets see what other folk have to say.

.

[charlesandhisbeard]

hi, the lights dont dim at all, ive even tried jumping from another bike battery. i just pulled th eplugs and tried turning over to see if it would turn freely. it did turn i could see the pistons pumping up and down,,,
but... now ive put the plugs back in all i get is a solenoid click and not even that nice crunching growl noise.... starter motor gone?

[charlesandhisbeard]

ive got a spare engine off a gs1000, do you reckon the starters would be a straight swap?

[Redman]

If starter motor getting full voltage and not turning, well, then yes, starter getting what it needs but not doing what it should.

Pull out the starter.
Remove end cap of starter. I suspect you will see the brushes are worn down so short that not much spring pressure, and maybe brushes and are a pile of dust.

Maybe like this:

[gsrick]

I'd try fixing it before swapping engines, but the 1000 and 1100G engine will swap in. Do you have the exhaust for the 1000, because I'm not sure about the exhaust tube size being the same. If you have a good starter in the 1000, swap that first and see what you get, just make sure the battery is fully charged. Take it to a parts store and let them load test it to make sure the battery is good first.

Whoops, I see you were talking about swapping the starter not the engine, my bad.

[Redman]

ive got a spare engine off a gs1000, do you reckon the starters would be a straight swap?

I suspect so, but, Compare part numbers on Stocker Starters web site.

http://www.stockers.com/index.php?cd=Motorcycle%2FScooter&bd=Suzuki+Motorcycle

.

[charlesandhisbeard]

before i pull the starter motor, is there an easy way to test the starter relay with a multimeter? it gives a very audible click noise each time the starter button is pressed, so im guessing that means its healthy? or can it click and not get enough power through it?. i rekon the increased viscocity oil additive is what did this... why didint i just put up with a little smoke!!!! if it aint broke dont fix it!

can i just bridge the gap between the positive and negatives on my solenoid (bypassing the switch) and see if my starter turns? or is this a bad idea...

[Big T]

Get out your multimeter and set it at over 12V. Then, do the following tests:

1. Static battery
2. Battery with starter button depressed
3. Static battery

to check your solenoid output, test the outboard post (the one with the starter lead) and press the starter button. The solenoid contacts do burn over time and resistance builds up.
But, it's more likely the battery, or the starter

[charlesandhisbeard]

Get out your multimeter and set it at over 12V. Then, do the following tests:

1. Static battery
2. Battery with starter button depressed
3. Static battery

to check your solenoid output, test the outboard post (the one with the starter lead) and press the starter button. The solenoid contacts do burn over time and resistance builds up.
But, it's more likely the battery, or the starter

can i just short the starter by touching across the solenoid terminals with a screwdriver?

[KiwiAlfa156]

Had exactly the same symptoms. Battery was good, solenoid went click. Tested that there was full voltage from the terminal on the starter motor to earth with the starter button pushed. Removed and disassembled the starter motor. Cleaned the commutator with 600 grit wet and dry to bright copper, dressed the brushes with a fine half round file, flushed the commutator with solvent and blew it all dry. Reassembled and problem solved.

[charlesandhisbeard]

nice job, ive got a spare one in a gs1000 engine i was thinking of swapping over.
i just shorted the soledoid and nothing happened. so i guess that is a pretty firm diagnosis of a buggered starter motor.

[Redman]

....
i just shorted the soledoid and nothing happened. so i guess that is a pretty firm diagnosis of a buggered starter motor.

MOstly.

Oh, you do have a meter.

Measure voltage going to the starter when push button and solenoid clicks.

.

[Steve]

Everybody has been telling you that your problem might be in one of TWO areas, you are only concentrating on one of them.

It is so much easier to test the battery. Please humor us and have it checked.

When you do get the bike running, do yourself and your bike a favor. Change the oil and filter. Do not add ANYTHING to the oil. Keep in mind that the oil that lubricates your engine also lubricates the transmission, but more importantly, it flows over the clutch. There are very few (if any) of those additives that do not have bad consequences, especially where the clutch is concerned.

.

[charlesandhisbeard]

Sorry, Didn't I mention that I also tried jumping with a brand new battery? So unlikely a new batterys bad. Yeah I'm never putting anything but regular oil in my engine again....