97 GS won't start.

[dte33]

I had my GS running all last week on vacation with no starting issues. I went to start it today and it won't. When I press start, I just get one loud "click" like it is turning over but it just happens once and that's it. Any ideas?
Thanks
Dave

 

[Dr Honda]

Can be:

1) weak battery
2) Loose/corroded connections on the cables
3) Starter gave up.

 

[dte33]

I checked my battery voltage, it was 12.28. It is a new battery as well as a new starter. The cables looked good too. I tried to start it again tonight and it did turn over slowly but never fired up. Could this be a fouled spark plug?
Thanks for the quick reply.

 

[bigJake]

I checked my battery voltage, it was 12.28. It is a new battery as well as a new starter. The cables looked good too. I tried to start it again tonight and it did turn over slowly but never fired up. Could this be a fouled spark plug?
Thanks for the quick reply.

sounds like battery, take it to auto parts and have it load tested.

 

[dte33]

I tried to start it this morning and it turned over, but never fired up. I replaced the plugs this morning too. At this point, I am thinking a fuel issue. It still has grey fuel lines in it but since we ran it all week last week, pretty much all day everyday, I didn't think that was the issue. Thoughts?

 

[Dr Honda]

How fast is it turning over?

Put the meter back on the battery, and try to start the engine. The voltage should stay above 10.7 volts while cranking. If it drops below that... you need a battery. I've see a lot of bad batteries out of the box. SO... "The battery is new" is not an acceptable answer to me.


Have you checked for spark?

If you think it's fuel related... give it a shot of starter fluid. If it fires, and dies... then it's fuel related. (Time for a carb rebuild)

 

[dte33]

It turns over fairly slow I would say. I will put a meter on it and try to start it and let you know.

I hate to sound dumb, but how do I check for spark? and I assume I remove the spark plug, shoot starter fluid in it then replace the plug and try to start? I am new to this so I want to be sure..
Thanks for all you help!

 

[dte33]

I just check the voltage on startup, it was 12.15 before I tried to start it then it fell to 10.79 once i pressed the start button. Right now it is only turning over 1 time. It makes a loud clanking sound. It did this yesterday and I let it sit overnight and this morning it turned over multiple times a couple times then it went to the single "clank"

 

[Crofoot50]

That Cant be good , Remove the plugs and try turning the PTO by Hand and see if it turns over freely. Check for the Clank noise while turning

 

[Seadoobuddy]

Could something be caught in the impeller? My nephews Yamaha sucked up some stones and made the same noise. It wasn't until i flushed it out from the back of the jet and tried cranking it WITHOUT plugs did it clear. Then it started just fine.

 

[bigJake]

I just check the voltage on startup, it was 12.15 before I tried to start it then it fell to 10.79 once i pressed the start button. Right now it is only turning over 1 time. It makes a loud clanking sound. It did this yesterday and I let it sit overnight and this morning it turned over multiple times a couple times then it went to the single "clank"

you'll get that single "clank" with a weak battery. get your battery load tested

 

[dte33]

I am getting spark.

What would cause it to just turn over once? Battery levels are good, even under load. Any thoughts?

 

[dte33]

Turns out my battery, even though showed good voltages, was low and needed to be charged. As soon as it was charged up, it started right up.. Thanks to everyone for all there support!

 

[Seadoobuddy]

YUP, just like doc suggested awhile back......

 

[dte33]

I know! Live and Learn!

 

[bigJake]

I know! Live and Learn!

after 3 or 4 years with my skis, I learned that the battery is always the FIRST thing to check if it won't start. it reading 12+ volts means nothing as far as starting amp power.