/ Register

  1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

Across warm starting issues

Discussion in 'Suzuki 250cc In-line 4's' started by Tomt, Feb 2, 2014.

Page 1 of 3
  1. Tomt

    Tomt Tomt Contributing Member

    Messages:
    44
    Likes Received:
    44
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Joined:
    Jan 27, 2014
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Nambucca Heads
    My Bike:
    Suzuki GSX250f Across
    Ok so I got my Across and she runs really well and cold starts are easy! But when it's warm it won't start. There seems to be no power from the start button to the starter motor:( sometimes it's ok but most of the time all I get is a clicking at the solenoid (which the previous owner had replaced). The only way to get it going is to clutch it! I feel the problem must be related to heat most likely at the terminals on the starter or maybe a relay somewhere! When it gets hot power is not getting through.
    Before I start searching I was wondering if anyone has had this problem before? And can advise me where to start?
    Thank you in advance
    Tomt
     
    Tomt, Feb 2, 2014
    #1
  2. Darren

    Darren Well-Known Member Contributing Member Dirty Wheel Club

    Messages:
    627
    Likes Received:
    386
    Trophy Points:
    393
    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2013
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Web Designer
    Location:
    Brisbane
    Home Page:
    My Bike:
    Street Triple 675
    Hey Bud,

    I'd start with the battery itself. The Across is notorious for turning over slowly at the best of times, so if the battery is not 100% it can be a pain. How warm is warm? If the thermo fan kicks in when you try to start it, it might be putting too much strain on the battery and it wont have enough juice to fire it.

    How does she idle when warm?
     
    • Like Like x 2
    Darren, Feb 2, 2014
    #2
  3. ruckusman

    ruckusman White Mans Magic Master Premium Member Dirty Wheel Club

    Messages:
    3,245
    Likes Received:
    1,425
    Trophy Points:
    918
    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2013
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Narrabeen, NSW Australia
    My Bike:
    Yamaha FZR250 3LN1
    when the solenoid is just clicking it usually means not enough juice in the battery to turn the starter.

    Was the solenoid replaced with a new one?

    Check the connections of the heavy gauge wire from the battery to the solenoid and the earth strap(s) - bad earth will produce the same symptom and it's usually the earth that gets the green verdigris buildup on copper which causes intermittent problems. It can be cleaned in vinegar with a brass brush or if really dirty cut and redo the connections onto clean wire

    peace out
     
    • Like Like x 2
    ruckusman, Feb 2, 2014
    #3
  4. GreyImport

    GreyImport Administrator Staff Member The Chief Contributing Member

    Messages:
    10,929
    Likes Received:
    6,720
    Trophy Points:
    1,168
    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2012
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Between a Rock and a Hard Place
    Location:
    North by NW NSW Oztralia - Tamworth
    My Bike:
    *Kawasaki ZXR250C *Yamaha FZR250R 3LN1 *Yamaha FZR400 *Triumph Bonneville 750 T140V *Triumph Daytona 675 *Triumph Tiger 800XC
    • Like Like x 2
    GreyImport, Feb 2, 2014
    #4
  5. risky

    risky risky

    Messages:
    4,555
    Likes Received:
    1,177
    Trophy Points:
    923
    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2012
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    risky by name AND actions
    Location:
    newcastle,australia
    My Bike:
    honda ca77, megelli x2,fzr yamaha x 5 ,maxim,cb750.cb600 hornet,zxr250,marusho magnum electra.
    armature in starter could be earthing out so starter needs new bushes.also might need a good clean.

    also try the horn when trying a hot start....no sound means battery low. if battery faulty get a motobatt battery as they are heavier than most brands and hold charge well. also use contact cleaner on terminals. if the solenoid ratchets it is called shotgunning and is a sign of faulty battery.
     
    • Like Like x 1
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 2, 2014
    risky, Feb 2, 2014
    #5
  6. Tomt

    Tomt Tomt Contributing Member

    Messages:
    44
    Likes Received:
    44
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Joined:
    Jan 27, 2014
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Nambucca Heads
    My Bike:
    Suzuki GSX250f Across
    Thanks guys the previous owner thinks it just needs a good run to put some charge back in the battery (it hasnt had a run decent run for at least 3 weeks). I only took it up the road this morning with the fuel tap off so I spent most of my time trying to get it going again. So This afternoon after work I will give it a good run and see if that helps. When it cools it starts no worries.
     
    Tomt, Feb 2, 2014
    #6
  7. GreyImport

    GreyImport Administrator Staff Member The Chief Contributing Member

    Messages:
    10,929
    Likes Received:
    6,720
    Trophy Points:
    1,168
    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2012
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Between a Rock and a Hard Place
    Location:
    North by NW NSW Oztralia - Tamworth
    My Bike:
    *Kawasaki ZXR250C *Yamaha FZR250R 3LN1 *Yamaha FZR400 *Triumph Bonneville 750 T140V *Triumph Daytona 675 *Triumph Tiger 800XC
    A good run to charge a battery would need to be an hour or 2 at a steady pace .
    If the battery is getting on in its life it will only be a temp fix
    If its been run down and recharged a few times it wont help either.

    The only way to properly recharge a battery is to pull it out of the bike and recharge it overnight with a proper battery charger or a night at the local battery joint or bike shop.
    They will usually test it and can tell u if its past its day.

    If it needs replacing then some form of sealed AGM type is the go .... dont buy some cheap wet (refillable) one.

    http://www.ssbpowersport.com.au/Products.aspx

    http://www.motobatt.com.au/
     
    • Like Like x 1
    GreyImport, Feb 2, 2014
    #7
  8. risky

    risky risky

    Messages:
    4,555
    Likes Received:
    1,177
    Trophy Points:
    923
    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2012
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    risky by name AND actions
    Location:
    newcastle,australia
    My Bike:
    honda ca77, megelli x2,fzr yamaha x 5 ,maxim,cb750.cb600 hornet,zxr250,marusho magnum electra.
    if the motor is turning over but not firing the problem will be valve clearance being too tight. if shotgunning then battery.
     
    • Like Like x 1
    risky, Feb 2, 2014
    #8
  9. Tomt

    Tomt Tomt Contributing Member

    Messages:
    44
    Likes Received:
    44
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Joined:
    Jan 27, 2014
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Nambucca Heads
    My Bike:
    Suzuki GSX250f Across
    The battery was replaced on the 30/11/14 with a katana sealed battery from battery world at a cost of $69.
    When the starter engages the motor fires straight away no problems! When I clutch it starts easy and when it's cold it fires up no worries.
    When I push the button headlights don't even dim all I get is a click behind the dash! If I leave it for an hour it will fire again when cooled. First thing I will do is ride it home (about 30 mins) then dig out my trickle charger and put it on tonight and take it from there!
    Thanks for your help
    Tomt
     
    Tomt, Feb 2, 2014
    #9
  10. risky

    risky risky

    Messages:
    4,555
    Likes Received:
    1,177
    Trophy Points:
    923
    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2012
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    risky by name AND actions
    Location:
    newcastle,australia
    My Bike:
    honda ca77, megelli x2,fzr yamaha x 5 ,maxim,cb750.cb600 hornet,zxr250,marusho magnum electra.
    sounds like corrosion resistance when greater power is required.
     
    • Like Like x 1
    risky, Feb 2, 2014
    #10
  11. Darren

    Darren Well-Known Member Contributing Member Dirty Wheel Club

    Messages:
    627
    Likes Received:
    386
    Trophy Points:
    393
    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2013
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Web Designer
    Location:
    Brisbane
    Home Page:
    My Bike:
    Street Triple 675
    How did you get on?
     
    Darren, Feb 3, 2014
    #11
  12. Tomt

    Tomt Tomt Contributing Member

    Messages:
    44
    Likes Received:
    44
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Joined:
    Jan 27, 2014
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Nambucca Heads
    My Bike:
    Suzuki GSX250f Across
    Hi Darren it seems to be improving! I haven't really looked into it yet just enjoying riding it for now. If it happens clutch starting is not really that hard. What I have found though is if I shut it down in gear or stall it it's dead at the switch. Which has me thinking it could be a relay jamming that tells the ignition it's in gear. But when it happens I will put some jumper leads on it to either confirm or eliminate a battery problem.
     
    Tomt, Feb 4, 2014
    #12
  13. kiffsta

    kiffsta Senior Member

    Messages:
    9,066
    Likes Received:
    6,872
    Trophy Points:
    1,168
    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2010
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Brisbane
    On your clutch perch, you will see 2 wires connecting to a small switch, they are there to make sure the bike wont start in gear, its a safety feature. Either clutch in to start in gear or have it in neutral. As for you hot start issues, have you tried using the choke for a warm start, it shouldn't need it, but try it for shits and giggles . I had a ZXR that wouldn't start hot unless the choke was on, it was weird and the carbs needed adjustment
     
    kiffsta, Feb 4, 2014
    #13
  14. mapo_69

    mapo_69 Active Member Contributing Member

    Messages:
    64
    Likes Received:
    34
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Joined:
    May 27, 2013
    Gender:
    Male
    My Bike:
    zxr250 A
    Start your bike as per usual cold start go for a ride ect get it warm, try and re-anact your issue if you get it to do it again, while it is the stage of hitting the starter button and its clicking stop and try shorting your soleniod terminals with a screwdriver they will look like a lead going to earth and positive going to your starter motor joined on a unit by nuts, it will spark but cannot hurt you, if it winds hard and normal the battery is good and it is your soleniod that is the issue. cheers Dan
     
    mapo_69, Feb 4, 2014
    #14
  15. Tomt

    Tomt Tomt Contributing Member

    Messages:
    44
    Likes Received:
    44
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Joined:
    Jan 27, 2014
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Nambucca Heads
    My Bike:
    Suzuki GSX250f Across
    Ok the problem seems to be the battery last night when it happend I put jumper leads on and it fired straight up. So then I pulled the battery out and put it on charge. It fired up perfectly, rode it work (30 min ride mostly highway) went to take it out around midday and its dead again. I will put the battery on charge again tonight (the lights on the charger say its was fully charged this morning) and see how it goes tomorrow! The battery is only 2 months old and I can understand without the bike being regulary used it could have lost some charge and it would need to fully charged to bring it back to normal! But only getting one startup once fully charged either says that the battery is stuffed ( I wounder if I can replace it under battery worlds warrenty even though I didnt buy it?) or the bikes alternator is not charging the battery like it should.
    What do you guys think?
     
    Tomt, Feb 6, 2014
    #15
  16. Murdo

    Murdo The Good Doctor Staff Member Contributing Member Ride and Events Crew

    Messages:
    6,400
    Likes Received:
    4,788
    Trophy Points:
    1,148
    Joined:
    May 4, 2013
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Tamworth, NSW
    My Bike:
    1937 Royal Enfield 250, CF Moto 250 V5, Honda's XL250, CBR250, FT500 plus a few others.
    Does the terminal make a spark when you lightly touch the battery? If so, would indicate a drain on the battery all the time, so flat after sitting at work.
    What type of battery? Is it a normal lead acid or a gell type. I have had a gell type do a similar thing at only a couple of months old and was replaced under warranty by Motobatt.
    Get your self a cheap multimeter and check the battery voltage before starting, and again after starting at about 3000 revs. Should indicate an increase of voltage if alternator is working ok.
     
    • Like Like x 1
    Murdo, Feb 6, 2014
    #16
  17. GreyImport

    GreyImport Administrator Staff Member The Chief Contributing Member

    Messages:
    10,929
    Likes Received:
    6,720
    Trophy Points:
    1,168
    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2012
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Between a Rock and a Hard Place
    Location:
    North by NW NSW Oztralia - Tamworth
    My Bike:
    *Kawasaki ZXR250C *Yamaha FZR250R 3LN1 *Yamaha FZR400 *Triumph Bonneville 750 T140V *Triumph Daytona 675 *Triumph Tiger 800XC
    GreyImport, Feb 6, 2014
    #17
  18. Darren

    Darren Well-Known Member Contributing Member Dirty Wheel Club

    Messages:
    627
    Likes Received:
    386
    Trophy Points:
    393
    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2013
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Web Designer
    Location:
    Brisbane
    Home Page:
    My Bike:
    Street Triple 675
    I agree with Murdo. Grab a cheap multimeter and check the battery voltage before starting and after it is running. You will soon know if the alternator is charging by an increase in the voltage once over 300o revs.
     
    Darren, Feb 10, 2014
    #18
  19. Tomt

    Tomt Tomt Contributing Member

    Messages:
    44
    Likes Received:
    44
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Joined:
    Jan 27, 2014
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Nambucca Heads
    My Bike:
    Suzuki GSX250f Across
    After a charge it went well for a few days. Wont start again today put a multimeter on it today. Battery with no load is 12.5 volts. When Turn on the ignition it drops to 12.3 volts when I hit the button ( only clicks ) goes down to 12.15 volts. With engine running it (after clutching) it climbs to 13 volts at 3000 rpm.
     
    Tomt, Feb 10, 2014
    #19
  20. Th3_Huntsman

    Th3_Huntsman Senior Member Contributing Member

    Messages:
    2,428
    Likes Received:
    1,173
    Trophy Points:
    823
    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2013
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Dispatch Manager
    Location:
    Beenleigh
    My Bike:
    NONE
    sounds like its losing cranking amps to me.
     
    Th3_Huntsman, Feb 10, 2014
    #20
Page 1 of 3

Share This Page