Rebirthing my Fzr...

[Sugoi]

Anyone here happen to have a spare solenoid they'd like to sell?

Did it operate the starter when you jumped the solenoid ?

No. I just get a faint "click" from the solenoid.

[willandrip]

Well you need to know 100% the solenoid is faulty before you go replacing it,that is why the test is important.
To replace electrical items without testing is a very expensive option.

It is to save removing the tank to gain access to the starter motor itself to do the next test!

[Sugoi]

Well you need to know 100% the solenoid is faulty before you go replacing it,that is why the test is important.
To replace electrical items without testing is a very expensive option.

It is to save removing the tank to gain access to the starter motor itself to do the next test!

Ya true.
I'll pick up some things today from the hardware stoe...i.e a multimeter to do a full diag on it.

[DonTZ125]

Have you checked the gear train yet? The starter and solenoid can be in perfect condition; if the gears are jammed, nothing much happens ...

[Sugoi]

I haven't. I work a ton, and it's my daily vehicle so this week I've been putting up with the bump-start.

[willandrip]

The reason I used the solonoid "bridge" test first is because it requires no tools whatsover and about 2 minutes to perform.

.................................>forward to starter motor/starter pinions.=requires tools/disassembly.
From that test you go either;
................................. >backwards to starter switch on handlebar.=requires a multimeter/disassembly.

[fzrbrandon]

Hey Mark,

If you DO find that your starter solenoid is bad, I've got a couple available. You're more than welcome to try one out. If it works for you, we can go from there.


Brandon

[Sugoi]

Will do Brandon!
Hopefully today I'll be able to pull the cover off and check the gears. If they're alright, maybe Sunday or Monday I'll shoot up your way to try a solenoid out.

[fzrbrandon]

Will do Brandon!
Hopefully today I'll be able to pull the cover off and check the gears. If they're alright, maybe Sunday or Monday I'll shoot up your way to try a solenoid out.

Sounds good. Let me know.

[Sugoi]

Managed to sort this thing out, and again thanks to fzrbrandon for some extra parts and a hand in testing everything.

With the help of Brandon, I swapped in two other solenoids to test out. All of them were the same result (no start, just clicking), and we knew that one of the solenoids was working in the previous bike. And for the record, the PO told me he had replaced my battery recently so I wasn't thinking that could be the culprit.

Now like I said, I replaced the VR because i felt it was preventative maintenance, and wouldn't be a waste. Brandon pointed out a few signs I didn't notice though, such as the light on my tach was out, and I had some extra tail light bulbs (from the PO) under my seat too. This was suggesting that the VR was already bad when I bought the bike, and the PO neglected to fix it...thus "cooking" my new battery.
This morning I pulled the battery out again and looked at it...sure enough, no water. I walked up to the auto store and had them check it out and it wouldn't hold a charge at all.

So now Im calling everywhere to try to pick one up before I leave on my next work trip Weds morning. So far, one place 1hr away can order it for me. Fingers crossed I get something local by tomorrow.

Lesson of the story....Check your battery if it doesn't start, regardless of the PO words.

[_Will_]

If you're having to wait for delivery get with thatkid, he sells batteries and has some with good weight savings as I recall.

[Sugoi]

I managed to find one in a local store. Im not concerned with weight entirely, just a solid running bike that I can rely on.

[willandrip]

Lesson of the story....Check your battery if it doesn't start, regardless of the PO words.

At the start of this topic you did state that you had tested the battery;
" I tested it at work and it had 14v (I believe) while sitting, and about the same at idle."

[fzrbrandon]

Lesson of the story....Check your battery if it doesn't start, regardless of the PO words.

At the start of this topic you did state that you had tested the battery;
" I tested it at work and it had 14v (I believe) while sitting, and about the same at idle."

I think he was referring to just testing the voltage. Initially, I don't think he load-tested it. As most of us already know, the battery can have what appears to be good voltage yet have zero cranking power. I believe this will prove to be the case for him. Let's hope so anyway.

[KaspenOne]

any updates