Engine Isuues......

[huvik]

A couple of days ago I attempted to start my Suzuki GS550EF on a cold day. I only accomplished running down the battery. So yesterday when it warmed up I primed the carbs, blew in the carb vents and VOLIA it started. I left it running for a good 20 min then it shut down, I figured it was a little warm so I left it for a couple of minutes and got ready. When I went to try and restart it it just continued to turn over but didn't catch, with a bit of back firing. After 8 or 9, 5 sec cranks the engine just STOPPED turning over. the battery is fine...I think.....I don't have a voltmeter, but the lights are strong. I was wondering if anyone could fill me in on what might be wrong....I was thinking it might possibly be the starter.
Sorry for the long post, but I wanted to be as descriptive as possible.

[Calvin Blackmore]

can it be a petcock issue not flowing gas properly to the carbs?
it would never have gotten hot enough to boil off the gas in the bowls would it?

my bike runs less than 5 minutes with full bowls and the fuel line disconnected.

Have you gone throuhg the much needed o-ring replacement for intakes?
one assumes if these were margianl the temp change in the head might have opened the gap a tas more making for even harder starting than the bike would have edxperienced while cold.

also are the carbs properly clean and are you suing the corect OEM filter?

[Calvin Blackmore]

good god
how could i miis it stoped turning over!!!

nasty businees

startet interlock ok?
is the run switch on

[huvik]

It wasn't like a sudden seizing of the engine, it was like the battery went from a full charge to dead flat, but the battery is fine, and its brand new. It still kind of CRAWLS over when i turn the key.

[Calvin Blackmore]

zoiks it do sound like the starter

do you have a anul so you can test out the electrics

there is one on repairmanualclub.com somewhere it is the factory manuals very complete

[Matchless]

Check you battery voltage while the starter is turning. If it drops too much the starter will turn sluggish and your lights, if on, will dim a bit (or a lot) and your coils will not produce a proper spark.
If so your battery is flat, partially charged or has failed. Prove it by jumping to a car battery before pulling the starter!

[huvik]

I'll try jumping to a car when i get a chance, but there in lies another problem, every time I try to jump it I blow the 10amp? main fuse even with the car not running

[Matchless]

Theoretically that is not possible if everything is as it should be, both batteries are 12 Volt, you are only adding capacity i.e. more available current. The fuse will only blow if for some reason something is drawing more than its rated value and that should then also happen with the bike battery. On the GS1000 the main fuse is 15 Amps and the others are 10 Amps.

It would be a good idea to invest in cheap multimeter.

[550ERAT]

Check all electrical connections and your solenoid too. I agree, jumping it with another battery should not blow any fuses.

[argonsagas]

You are describing an electrical CONNECTION failure.

Since the lights all work normally, and the battery is fully charged, the most probable thing is that your battery cable is loose somewhere.

Try both connectors on the solenoid and one at the starter.

Your ground wire/cable connection to the frame is always suspect and if it is a loose connection, rusty or dirty, then it will not take the amperage needed by the starter.

Remove all cable ends, clean both parts of each connection, and re-assemble.

You can also check the starter operation by crossing the terminals on the solenoid to force the starter to turn over. Do this when the bike is in NEUTRAL ONLY.


Still nothing? You probably need new brushes inside the starter.

Try Stockers.com for this.


When you disassemble the starter watch for the alignment marks on the case and cap. They must go back together the same way as they come off.

[Suzuki_Don]

To check if engine has locked up remove spark plugs, put bike on centre stand, put gearbox in top gear and rotate back wheel. Engine sbould turn over. If not you have further major problems. This should be done before following the advice that others have given. Do the basics first. Don't bother about electrical stuff until you know the engine turns over OK.