SuzukiSavage.com - Help. Maybe battery not dead.

springman

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Help. Maybe battery not dead.
06/17/21 at 10:17:14

When I tried to start the S40 it will not really crank, it gives me a click and then the green neutral light goes out. So I figured the battery was dead. I have removed the battery from the bike as I wanted to measure it to make sure that the battery I was about to order would fit. After measuring I put the battery on a smart charger which after a minute or so indicated the battery is fully charged. I put a multimeter on the battery and it reads 13.01 volts which generally indicates the battery is good. I would normally do a load test next but as I am getting just a click from the bike (starter I guess) I am not sure I would get a proper reading. I think I will do a load test anyway as soon as I can. Assuming the load test also indicates the battery is good, would you all say I am looking at a wiring issue, a starter issue, a decomp valve issue, or something else. I only brought a couple of screw drivers and my leatherman as I fully expected the battery to be the culprit. I will try to remember to bring the appropriate tools tomorrow. Thanks for any advice you guys can offer.

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verslagen1

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Re: Help. Maybe battery not dead.
Reply #1 - 06/17/21 at 12:34:12

If you are getting just 1 click, then it could be that it's sitting on the compression stroke and the decomp is too loose to release it.

Push the starter button while watching the decomp lever.
Does it move when you hear the 1 click?

The next click should be the relay... it maybe stuck, but they don't normally stick open. A rap on the fender just below the key could loosen it.

While you're at it, check the ground strap on the engine. Should be clean and tight. If you check the voltage on the battery positive and any where on the engine (not the battery terminal) and you get a flaky reading, it would be an indication that the ground is loose.

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springman Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 2246 Spring, Texas Gender:	Re: Help. Maybe battery not dead. Reply #2 - 06/17/21 at 12:36:56 Thanks Versy. I should be able to check that out before I leave work today.
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Dave YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 18316 Camp Springs, Kentucky Gender:	Re: Help. Maybe battery not dead. Reply #3 - 06/17/21 at 15:10:14 And....put the voltmeter on the battery and see what voltage it holds while you push the start button. If the battery voltage drops significantly from just the load of the solenoid - the battery is toast.
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springman

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Re: Help. Maybe battery not dead.
Reply #4 - 06/17/21 at 16:05:55

Thanks Versy. Thanks Dave. It would appear it was the decomp valve got stuck. I cleaned up the battery, terminals and connectors. Put the bike in third to move the piston. and first attempt she turned on. I will hopefully get a ride in to work tomorrow and if so I will ride her back home tomorrow. I'll be keeping my finger crossed. Cool

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MMRanch

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Re: Help. Maybe battery not dead.
Reply #5 - 06/18/21 at 08:23:51

Springman

I've got an old extension cord with a two prong (motorcycle) plug on one end and a pair of big clips (car) on the other end that I leave in the bottom of the saddle bag for a jumper-cables. Be sure and remember the naked prong from the jumper is going to be the HOT one . Wink

Just suggesting ? Huh

Glad your battery charged up !

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springman Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 2246 Spring, Texas Gender:	Re: Help. Maybe battery not dead. Reply #6 - 06/18/21 at 11:47:42 Thanks MM. I need to get me some saddle bags first and they are on my list.
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Re: Help. Maybe battery not dead.
Reply #7 - 06/18/21 at 11:51:52

Every time I think it's not my battery... it's my battery. Huh

Not entirely true... once... it was my stator.
If you want to check that,... connect a volt meter to the battery, and see if the voltage increases to 14v or so when running. 13.4 to 14.6 range. Definitively higher than the battery by itself but never up to 15v.
Mine, oddly enough, read higher at idle than at revs.
My mechanic buddy said the rectifier was absorbing the excess.

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Ludicrous Speed !... ... Huh

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springman Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 2246 Spring, Texas Gender:	Re: Help. Maybe battery not dead. Reply #8 - 06/18/21 at 15:02:35 Thanks Sero. I does appear the battery is ok and that instead the decomp valve was stuck. Hopefully it will not happen again. If it does I will load test as well as check voltage will running.
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ohiomoto Serious Thumper Online SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 2825	Re: Help. Maybe battery not dead. Reply #9 - 06/18/21 at 18:56:17 Serowbot wrote on 06/18/21 at 11:51:52: Every time I think it's not my battery... it's my battery. ------ Right?!
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Re: Help. Maybe battery not dead.
Reply #10 - 06/18/21 at 18:59:04

verslagen1 wrote on 06/17/21 at 12:34:12:

If you are getting just 1 click, then it could be that it's sitting on the compression stroke and the decomp is too loose to release it.

Push the starter button while watching the decomp lever.
Does it move when you hear the 1 click?

The next click should be the relay... it maybe stuck, but they don't normally stick open. A rap on the fender just below the key could loosen it.

While you're at it, check the ground strap on the engine. Should be clean and tight. If you check the voltage on the battery positive and any where on the engine (not the battery terminal) and you get a flaky reading, it would be an indication that the ground is loose.

---------

verslagen1 sitting in a leather armchair: "I don't always offer advice, but when I do, it's usually spot on. Stay upright my friend."

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springman Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 2246 Spring, Texas Gender:	Re: Help. Maybe battery not dead. Reply #11 - 06/18/21 at 19:19:05 The bike started up just fine today and got me home running smoothly. Thanks ya'll.
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verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28996 L.A. California Gender:	Re: Help. Maybe battery not dead. Reply #12 - 06/18/21 at 19:40:02 ohiomoto wrote on 06/18/21 at 18:59:04: verslagen1 sitting in a leather armchair: "I don't always offer advice, but when I do, it's usually spot on. Stay upright my friend." 2 legged leather armchairs are a blast to keep upright.
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springman

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Re: Help. Maybe battery not dead.
Reply #13 - 06/24/21 at 07:40:57

It happened again today. I had to put it in third to roll/push the bike to get the piston off the compression stroke which is actually quite easy to feel. Once I felt it get off the compression stroke the bike started on the first try. So, I guess something is going on with the decomp valve. That is one more thing to add to the to do list.

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06 S40 seat mod, airhawk, HD muffler, Shinko 712 140-90-15 rear tire, Shinko 230 front tire, versy cam chain tensioner, Rotella oil, Volar brake pads, EBC clutch & springs

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verslagen1

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Re: Help. Maybe battery not dead.
Reply #14 - 06/24/21 at 08:52:29

Take the tank and left chrome cover off and you'll be able to see the decomp solenoid and lever.
Push the start button briefly and it should operate.
The cable should be really loose, too tight and the solenoid won't have enough power to pull the lever.
I've seen one where the cable was about to break too.
To adjust it, you're supposed to have .200" travel at the solenoid.
Pull the rubber cap off the back of the solenoid and measure how far the center plug is down.
Then pull on the cable by the lever to pull down the plug and measure the depth of the plug.
As far as I'm concerned, the measurement is just to ball park it.
A little looser and it'll start faster but too loose and it'll stall like your bike is now.
Tighter and it'll take longer to start, but too tight and the lever won't go far enough and it'll stall too.

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