Suzuki V-Strom (VStrom) Owners Club DL250, DL650, DL1000 & DL1050
V-Strom specific discussion => V-Strom specific discussion => Topic started by: bosnjo on June 02, 2015, 20:20:08
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I have been warned by my dealer today that he already had two bikes with same symptoms. All fine, all indications on, fuel pump primes after turning the ignition on, hit the start button and there is only one click from the relay. Both bikes were DL1000 2015.
Owner of the first bike called him on the phone saying he was trying to get out of the supermarket Car park and he couldn't start the bike. After a lot of troubleshooting by the phone, the dealer suggested jump start (if that's the right therm for push/starting the bike). Bike started right away. The owner came straight to the dealer. Then he tested everything, starter motor would turn connected straight to the battery but not normally connected.
After a lot of search, he discovered earth connection, down on the engine, completely oxidated. He disconnected it, cleaned it well and tighten it back. Bike started right away.
So, conclusion:
Earth connection (plug) that goes bellow the nut is one type of metal. The engine cover is aluminium. Electricity passing between those two different types of metal will cause oxidation by time. But, if some water hits that spot while electricity is going through, the oxidation will be quick and severe.
So, he removed the nut from the connection again, cleaned it again and applied generous ammount of copper compound lube, then tighten it back. He said that way it should hold for a long time.
He now wants to redo that connection on all new DL1000 bikes that come to his shop for service.
He's great dealer.
Well, he was the one to tell me the story and asked me to write about it here on the forum and warn the members. It's easy DIY job.
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Copper grease? If there's already a problem with differential metal corrosion, then why not add yet another metal into the equation: should help things along nicely.....
Really should be using a dielectric or plain grease instead.
And, for your own knowledge: a jump start is when you connect an outside power source, usually another battery, to start something; pushing it and dropping the clutch is called a bump start. Nearly there! :thumb:
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This is general knowledge and dealers are checking the earth connection when the bikes are in for service.
:)
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Has happened in the Philippines as well:
http://www.stromtrooper.com/dl1000a-201 ... comes.html (http://www.stromtrooper.com/dl1000a-2014/260786-engine-won't-start-fi-light-comes.html)
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Thanks for posting , bosnjo :thumb: - first I'd heard of it, anyway :shrug:
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My intention was to spread the news. I've seen some previous posts here and on US forum, but for me this was important as my dealer issued the warning on his own.
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Thanks Bosnjo,
I've not heard that warning either, so clearly not general knowledge at all :thumb:
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Thanks Bosnjo,
I've not heard that warning either, so clearly not general knowledge at all :thumb:
Ditto.
Rather hear something important twice than not at all!
:thumb:
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Thanks for the heads up on this. Can imagine the Thai dealers scratching heads over this one....
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Wouldn't you think Suzuki with all their bike development would know that the 2 different types of metal would cause this problem?
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They should have, it's well known fact.
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As I recall, every bike I have had has had the earth strap bolted to the alloy engine & they've not been an issue.
Are you sure where the strap bolts isn't just a muck/moisture trap?
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Thanks Bosnjo,
I've not heard that warning either, so clearly not general knowledge at all :thumb:
This is a bonus of having a good dealer like mine, Redcar's at Leicester. Some dealers take your money and do not follow up with service.
:)
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It was first brought up December 2014 an January candyfloss wunwinglow,even talk of fitting a secondary earth lead.
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I'd be inclined to find out why it happens & take measures to prevent it happening in future
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Keeping an eye on the bolt is an easy job, and making sure an excessive amount of corrosion producing crud is kept away. Maybe more scientific would be measuring the resistance between the negative lead at the battery end, and some point ideally near to the leads connection onto the engine.
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Sounds like the problem here:
https://www.facebook.com/williamaktan/v ... =2&theater (https://www.facebook.com/williamaktan/videos/o.218515645285/10152985504717005/?type=2&theater)
where the lights flash when the starter is pressed, but no engine rotation.
Suzuki Malaysia have connected a second earth line as shown in this picture, with no recoccurence of the problem
(http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss360/John1411/10389998_10152996149987005_2536549286238032004_n_zpsjdxcgtgj.jpg) (http://s591.photobucket.com/user/John1411/media/10389998_10152996149987005_2536549286238032004_n_zpsjdxcgtgj.jpg.html)