GSX1100G - No power to ignition

[theblacksmith]

Hi guys-jumped on the old GSX the other day and switched on the ignition-everything powered up as usual for half a second and then it all died. I am completely puzzled because-fuses are all good-relay is all good-what on earth can it be? A noise similar to a fuse blowing came from under seat but cant find anything out of the ordinary.
Anyone encountered something similar, any suggestions?? Any info appreciated,cheers.

[jellywrestler]

Hi guys-jumped on the old GSX the other day and switched on the ignition-everything powered up as usual for half a second and then it all died. I am completely puzzled because-fuses are all good-relay is all good-what on earth can it be? A noise similar to a fuse blowing came from under seat but cant find anything out of the ordinary.
Anyone encountered something similar, any suggestions?? Any info appreciated,cheers.

get a meter and check for power both sides of the fuses. sometimes they are blown but look ok

[FJRider]

get a meter and check for power both sides of the fuses. sometimes they are blown but look ok

Check for a main fuse off the battery. Or a shorted wire from the battery (+). Check terminal leads are a clean contact and earth contact is good (both ends of earth lead)

[YellowDog]

Check for a main fuse off the battery. Or a shorted wire from the battery (+). Check terminal leads are a clean contact and earth contact is good (both ends of earth lead)

My old Suzuki did this.

Not 'cos it was a Suzuki, but because it was old.

Cleaning the terminals with glass paper, both on battery and on leads may well do the trick.

Good luck.

[FJRider]

My old Suzuki did this.

Not 'cos it was a Suzuki, but because it was old.

Good luck.

A likely story ...

[theblacksmith]

All connections are clean-I have a dim light on ignition now-after turning off light switch. Ive tested the battery volts-without any leads attached-it measures 12.52v. Connect leads and turn on ignition and goes down to around 3.5v.
Looks like a short to me-however no wires are touching the body/frame,could it be an alternator problem maybe? Anyone had that experience before?

[FJRider]

Try attaching jumper leads ... to a fresh (car) battery ... it may just be the battery thats fried itself ... (certainly sounds like it)

AND YES ...

[Bonez]

Could be a faulty ignition switch. More than likely the battery. Tired batteries die pretty quickly this time year with the cooler nights. Running the bike with a duff battery will put extra load on the charging system so not a good idea to run it for to long if you do jumper it.

[FJRider]

Jumper leads will tell you if the problem IS the battery ...

[theblacksmith]

Tried jump leads from a running car with the bike s battery and without the battery
same result although I had lights and everything else goes but not enough power to start the bike. We noticed that the cars alternator was charging hard as soon as I turned bike ignition on-which means somethings obviously drawing current. It even slowed the cars engine rpm's down a little. So Im still puzzled. Im still suspect of the alternator.

[Rhys]

Check for shorts, I have had insulation worn and shorting against the frame

[pete376403]

You could disconnect the bike alternator - if anything like older 1100s there is a four connector plug in the cable coming from the left side of the engine. That would tell you if the stator windings are shorted.

With a charged battery connected and the ignition on - do any wires feel hot? Pull the seat and tank off - and be prepared to disconnect the battery quickly.

TheGSresources.com has heaps of info about older suzukis, including basic electrical fault finding http://thegsresources.com/gs_garage.htm

[notme]

A noise similar to a fuse blowing came from under seat

What dos a fuse blowing sound like? Fizz? pop? buzz? Could you have heard a relay clicking rapidly?

Tried jump leads from a running car with the bike s battery and without the battery
same result although I had lights and everything else goes but not enough power to start the bike. We noticed that the cars alternator was charging hard as soon as I turned bike ignition on-which means somethings obviously drawing current. It even slowed the cars engine rpm's down a little. So Im still puzzled. Im still suspect of the alternator.

Won't be the alternator - there's no simple way an alternator fault can short the battery. Try unplugging the regulator rectifier.

As you say, it sounds like something is drawing current - but if it is only when the ignition is on, you have some clues as to where to start. First, find a wiring diagram for your bike, it will make life a lot easier for you - then pull all the fuses out. Put your voltmeter across the battery, and start putting fuses back with the ignition on. Find the fuse that suddenly drops the battery voltage, then start checking things on that circuit - e.g. it might be the headlight circuit, and you might find a wire behind the headlight that has melted.

One thing that's strange here is that in order to drop the battery volts to the level you mention, or to make a car alternator work hard enough to drop the engine RPM, something must be drawing a significant amount of current. Yet it's not blowing the fuse.....interesting. Let us know how you go.

[p.dath]

Check for shorts, I have had insulation worn and shorting against the frame

+1. Especially check around cable ties (insulation can rub off on them). Check around anything than can come, like fairings, which may have broken some insulation when they were put back on.

You could also try feeling the temperature of the wires. If the battery voltage is dropping to 3.5v or so, and the battery is ok, then something is drawing a *lot* of current, and will be getting really hot.
I'm surprised something hasn't melted actually.

[p.dath]

Actually I'd be tempted to remove all the fuses except for those related to ignition. If the bike starts, put the fuses back one by one until you find the circuit with the issue.