[crest100]

Hey all,

I just joined the site because I really need some help.

I am a first-time owner and have a 2005 Suzuki GSX600F Katana with 12,000 miles. It has been good for me recently. I started it up a few days ago, went to put it in first gear from neutral and it shut off. It would not start up thereafter. The battery is fine, tested and it is at peak power. The lights are working, dash lights working, but the engine will not turn over or even make a sound when I try to start it up now. I popped the clutch in second gear after 5 days of the bike sitting from this problem and it ran fine, so it is receiving power, but the bike won't start up or even turn over from the starter button.

• Do you think it's the starter?
• Spark plug?
• Can the clutch assembly switch cause this?
• Some kind of safety switch?
• Something else?

Please help guys I need to get my bike working to get to work hahaha. Thanks.

-Tony

 

[mbrinton]

Well its a safe bet you do have a kill switch, you can check to see if you did knock it to the off position. And, if you did while it was running, you may have also flooded the engine. Its a newer bike so that probably wouldn't affect the spark plugs much. But you could test them by taking one out and holding it against the metal of your engine and try to start it. If you see a spark, they should be good.

Also, if you do have a kick starter, I would suggest trying it. I never use my push starter (and not just because it doesn't work anymore).

 

[YamahaFan]

have you checked your kickstand or the kickstand switch?

 

[crest100]

The kill switch is definitely off, I know that's a common mistake of first time owners I do not have a kick starter on the bike. Where would the kickstand switch be? That sounds like a possible problem.

 

[YamahaFan]

oh wait I didn't read your post clearly. The first problem might have been kickstand switch, but let's verify that: did the bike jerk when you put it in first gear or it was just off? If it did it's clutch problem, probably just need adjustment, if it did not it could be the kickstand switch which should be right around the kickstand.
And you could push start the bike, so check the start button also

 

[crest100]

Yes, the bike did jerk a little when I put it in first gear and it shut off. I push started the bike this morning by popping the clutch in which I don't even touch the starter button, but the starter button has had absolutely no signs of life since the problem started. Do you still think its the clutch? Or the starter? Either way It shouldn't cost too much to fix at the shop if I am able to still push start the bike, right?

 

[YamahaFan]

you don't have to push the start button when you push start the bike. When you push the button it gives power to the starter to crank the motor. When you push start the bike, with it in gear you crank the motor manually, so check the connection(s) at or around the start button.

As for the clutch ... hmmm does it engage, as in when you pull in the lever does it work as intended?

 

[crest100]

Well there is no way for me to tell if the clutch works besides when I push start the bike and ride it, and like I siad this morning I push started and rode the bike 40 miles to work, so the clutch must be working for me to be able to shift properly all the way here. Therefore it must be the starter connection?

 

[Badlands-4-2]

It sounds like the starter. If it was the kill switch or the kickstand kill switch you would not get it started even if you pushed all day to start it. With the bike off and the transmission in neutral, push the start switch. What sounds does it make? That will help diagnose the issue.

 

[crest100]

No sounds are made, the only other little tid bit of info I have is that when I try to start it with the start button, and nothing happens, I'll turn the bike back off and put the kickstand down, then, there is a little gizmo under the left fairing directly above the kickstand area that seems to be a small fan and turns on and spins (sounds like it is the alternator trying to re-charge whatever energy was used when i turned the key to the on position to try to start the bike.) I think it is the starter too, if so then good news because that will be cheaper than most repairs. What do you think of the fan thing that turns on?

 

[mbrinton]

I would say its definatly the push starter. Mine went out on me a few weeks ago and now when I try to use it it just doesnt make a sound. Which is why I love having a kick starter. I never used the push start unless other people were riding my bike. One day someone went to ride it and pushed the push start and nothing happened, so I'm assuming it just went out. Kinda like what I'm assuming happened to yours. Also, if the push starter was getting an electrical current and still not working, it would have drained your battery after about 10 tries with no engine turn over. So you most likely just need to replace the push starter.

 

[crest100]

That is beautiful to hear because my battery does not die easily and is still at peak performance after about 20 tries to start in the past 5 days. Like I said this morning it jumped right on when I jumped the clutch, not even the smallest jerk, just a smooth turn on with one pump of the clutch. Well guys, I'm almost 100% sure it's the starter which means less money for me and I definitely appreciate all your help. If you think it may be anything else then please write back and let me know. Take care everyone, safe riding and keep workin towards those dream bikes! This is just a commuter for me! I want that Yamaha r1 sooo bad!

 

[Downeast Thunder]

When it comes to most problems, the solution is usually quite simple. I've had many customers come to me in a panic when something goes wrong, and ride away feeling relieved after I looked things over and found the offending culprit causing the problem. Think about this for a moment. Then think about the starting system (you probably have a schematic in your owners manual) and start following the wires for just that system. Go through all the connections and check them to see if any have become disconnected or broken, wires pinched, etc. If all checks out okay, start checking individual components. The starter switch is not working when you press it. Disconnect the switch from the circuit, test the switch for proper operation with an ohm meter. If okay, check that the switch is getting power from the ignition switch when the ignition switch is turned on. If not, your ignition switch may be faulty at the lead that supplies power to the starter switch and is probably the culprit because we know the ignition circuit works - it's the starter circuit in question. If power goes to the switch and the switch tests good, next test and see if you have power going to the starter solenoid from the switch with the ignition on and the starter button pressed. If not, you may have an open circuit (broken wire or connection) between the starter button and the solenoid. IF the power is indeed there, the next step is to test the solenoid. Disconnect the starter from the solenoid switch but leave the primary side connected to the starter circuit. Press the starter button in with the ignition switch on and check to see if there is continuity across the secondary side of the solenoid with an ohm meter. If there isn't, replace the solenoid. If there is, it's time to check the starter motor. There are several ways to do this but one quick and dirty way is to simply tray spinning the starter motor with a remote 12V battery and a set of Jumper wires (while the solenoid is disconnected). If the starter motor spins, the only thing left is to assure you have good ground connection (which you should have checked in the first place during the cursory look-see inspection). That's about it. Somewhere along that pasth you should be able to reveal what is causing your problem. Good Luck!

 

[crest100]

Thank you that is very helpful, it turns out that my starter relay had gone bad, not too expensive or extensive of a repair. So all is well, back on the road

 

[Downeast Thunder]

Glad to hear it. These toys can be quite expensive at times. It's nice when you discover the problem and it only requirtes a low-bucks solution.

 

[slumlord]

Thank you that is very helpful, it turns out that my starter relay had gone bad, not too expensive or extensive of a repair. So all is well, back on the road

I read all this thread and was thinking starter relay or corroded battery connection at the relay,and then came Thunder. Great job on your post,sir

 

[Downeast Thunder]

jpope85 appears to be a person of very few words.

 

[suelill]

Hey all,

I just joined the sight because I really need some help. I am a first time owner and have a 2005 Suzuki GSX600F Katana with 12,000 miles. It has been good to me besides recently. I started it up a few days ago, went to put it in first gear from neutral and it shut off. It would not start up there after. The battery is fine, tested and it is at peak power. Lights are working, dash lights working, but the engine will not turn over or even make a sound when I try to start it up now. I popped the clutch in second gear after 5 days of the bike sitting from this problem and it ran fine, so it is receiving power, but the bike won't start up or even turn over from the starter button. Do you think it's the starter? Spark plug? Can the clutch assembly switch cause this? Or some kind of safety switch? Something else??? Please help guys I need to get my bike working to get to work hahah. Thanks.

-Tony

I have a Suzuki bandit 650 and it will not start up.I press the start button and nothing happens.The battery is fully charged,but it will not start.

 

[Lamejor]

I have a 1986 Honda vf5 it has problem turning on all the lights work and horn but can't get it to start sometime turns on wen pushed but now doesn't want to at all

 

[Madjacker]

I have a similar issue on my Saxon Crown, I cleaned the carb, took it for a ride...no issues, parked it for the night ...tried to start it next morning...nothin......put a new battery in...heard some clicking noises near the starter only after hooking the negative cable,...positive was first per manual reverse of taking battery out......the clicking stopped...got cables secure...still nothing..key was in off position during the clicking....freaking wierd.....I am at a loss....