1982 GS650G Won’t Turn Over

[streetgs]

Hello, my GS won’t turn over, but I get electricity to the gauges, lights, etc. It’s been in storage for about nine years, but when I brought it out a month ago and hooked it up to a car battery (out of a car), it would crank just fine.

Today I tried to jump it off an old car battery again, and it wouldn’t crank. I then jumped it to my old Camry, first with the engine running and then with the engine off, and it still wouldn’t crank.

I’m not sure why — the key was on, the run switch was on, the clutch lever pulled in, and I even kicked up the side stand. Ove since read that jumping from a battery (again, at first just out of the car) can be harmful, so what are some likely components I might’ve broken? Am I missing a step in the starting procedure? Where do I go from here?

Thank you for your help!

[Nessism]

Jump the solenoid with a screwdriver?

[Redman]

Yes, if still stock wiring, do need to pull the in clutch even if is in neutral. Side stand does not matter.

You can try jumping from battery plus to the little wire on solenoid. If that works, then you know the problem is in the starter button and clutch switch circuit.

you have a volt meter....? How about a test light probe...?

is okay to jump from a car battery - if car not running.
if car is running that can damage the bikes r/r. So after do get bike running you will then want to check out the charging system.

[streetgs]

Thanks for your help. Surprisingly I don’t know what the solenoid looks like! Can you give me some help?

[Steve]

Surprisingly I don’t know what the solenoid looks like! Can you give me some help?

Don't know for sure where it is on your 650, but on my 850s and 1000, it's under the left side cover, next to the fusebox.

In this picture, it's the silver-ish can to the left of the fusebox. All GS solenoids look pretty much like this.



There are two heavy wires on the top, each has a rubber boot covering it. One comes directly from the battery, it is 'hot' all the time. That is the one on the right in my picture, it also has wires going to the fusebox. The other heavy wire goes to the starter motor, it is only 'hot' when you push the starter button. You can also see a smaller, yellow/green wire that is soldered to a terminal on the solenoid. Nessism suggested using a jumper wire (or an old screwdriver) to connect that yellow/green wire's terminal to the battery terminal on the solenoid. The ignition key does not have to be ON, but be ready for a decent spark. Also make sure the bike is on the centerstand and in neutral. This will tell you if the starter itself is good. If it is, then you need to find out why the yellow/green wire might not be getting power in the normal way.

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[Baatfam]

Don't know for sure where it is on your 650, but on my 850s and 1000, it's under the left side cover, next to the fusebox.

In this picture, it's the silver-ish can to the left of the fusebox. All GS solenoids look pretty much like this.

Same with the 82-83 GS1100E and GS750E (in photo)

[tom203]

The 650's have space issues....the solenoid is mounted to right of battery with its two terminals staring at you. The solenoid case needs to have good ground or it won't click in...make sure you're in neutral and jump across those two terminals facing you
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