Author Topic: Starter woes. (Read 1274 times)

Ken Morrison · « **on:** July 23, 2020, 19:18:40 »

Hi Folks
My name is Ken, I recently purchased a 2008 DL650a. I have been away from bikes for some time but I am certainly enjoying riding again. Has anyone had problems with the starter ? Sometimes it takes 3 or 4 attempts to get the starter to engage, I suspect there is a bad spot on the commutator.
Thank you.

Asmith61 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 23, 2020, 19:39:34 »

Hello ken

bosnjo · « **Reply #2 on:** July 23, 2020, 20:29:32 »

Can be voltage problem. First check if battery connections are tight. If yes, then measure voltage before trying to start the bike. It may be just as simple as low voltage and you need to charge the battery. VStrom needs a lot of riding to fully charge the battery. I had similar problem with my 2018 DL1000 and it was because of low voltage.

kwackboy · « **Reply #3 on:** July 23, 2020, 20:31:06 »

Joe Rocket · « **Reply #4 on:** July 23, 2020, 20:40:14 »

Hello from France.

I'd go for the starter motor brushes on a 12 y. o. bike. Often one rubs down more than the other. I don't suppose they're cheap, Yamaha ones aren't.

Enjoy the bike and have lots of fun!

joethebike · « **Reply #5 on:** July 23, 2020, 23:11:14 »

I just had to replace the brushes on my 2005 650 using a parts kit available on Amazon at : https://www.amazon.com/Smu9120-Starter-CBR600-F4-99-02-motocicleta-Motorcycles-09-motocicleta/dp/B0081SBMYQ/ref=sr_1_18?dchild=1&keywords=Suzuki+DL650&qid=1595542109&sr=8-18

Ken Morrison · « **Reply #6 on:** July 24, 2020, 00:54:37 »

Thank you for the suggestions, I have replaced the battery with a new one and installed a battery tender. The previous owner gave me an excellent service manual so I'll use it to troubleshoot the problem as soon as the weather clears up. We've had thunder storms all day and I don't have a garage.

Gert · « **Reply #7 on:** July 24, 2020, 07:17:34 »

Do you have a waterproof cover for your bike when it stands out over night? Besides a battery not hold it's charge (which you have now ruled out), there are two reported causes for inter or non starting. These are the clutch switch connector not making correct contact and the starter button on the right hand cluster. Have you read https://blacklabadventures.com/2012/02/19/start-switch-maintenance/ ? If these check out OK, then as suggested, check the starter motor brushes by shorting out the starter relay tags. This step by passes all safety switches. Just make sure that you bike is not in gear when you do this or you will end up dumping your ride should the starter motor turn. You may want to read https://www.stromtrooper.com/threads/the-case-of-the-reluctant-starter.165857/

roganjoshing · « **Reply #8 on:** July 24, 2020, 13:39:13 »

I've just replaced a dodgy switch unity that did the same on a 2010 650

Rusty Nuts · « **Reply #9 on:** July 24, 2020, 18:43:11 »

Why the quote?

Barbel Mick · « **Reply #10 on:** July 24, 2020, 19:12:50 »

The last sentence....."hailstones the size of a looney in alberta according to a correspondent on a farming forum" was added by sillyboy Rusty.
The same happened the other day, the 'new post' was written inside the quotation marks of the quote.

sillyboy · « **Reply #11 on:** July 25, 2020, 15:12:05 »

sorry blokes, don't know what I did wrong with the quote/post.

sillyboy · « **Reply #12 on:** July 25, 2020, 15:14:56 »

and I wrote blokes not blokes. maybe the gods thought I wrote gays and I was being homophobic?

sillyboy · « **Reply #13 on:** July 25, 2020, 15:16:19 »

the computer she say no blokes .

sillyboy · « **Reply #14 on:** July 25, 2020, 15:17:43 »

bloody hell, hope you get your starter fixed.

TLPower · « **Reply #15 on:** July 25, 2020, 15:25:45 »

No G.u.y.s

Ken Morrison · « **Reply #16 on:** August 01, 2020, 21:28:15 »

Update, I replaced the brushes in the starter this am with a set I ordered from amazon. DB Electrical SMU9120 Starter kit. $38.00 Can . The old brushes were worn down to the point that the springs had bottomed out. Works good now ! Thanks everyone.

Joe Rocket · « **Reply #17 on:** August 01, 2020, 21:58:17 »

Looks like at least two Joes got it right.

Glad you're sorted.

oslin · « **Reply #18 on:** August 02, 2020, 12:25:17 »

Just a thought, when you say three or four times to get the starter to engage, do you mean the starter is dead for a while or is it running but not doing anything ? because if that is the case it sounds like the sprag clutch (starter clutch) is at fault.

Joe Rocket · « **Reply #19 on:** August 02, 2020, 16:54:01 »

If the brushes were worn down to the springs and now it starts 'good now' then problem solved.