Help!! Suzuki GSX400f won't start!

[piercingpain]

Hi!

 

I'm having problems with starting my Suzuki GSX400f - it's also recently feels underpowered, especially when changing gears - Any troubleshooting tips? Thanks in advance!

[IvikaRazI]

Most prob CDI issue. Change CDI might solve the problem.

[fx110]

Suzuki GSX400F Katana is it?

[Limsteel]

Most prob CDI issue. Change CDI might solve the problem.

 

Bro When troubleshooting always check the cheapest ones first. Changing CDI at the slightest fault is not the way...

 

GSXF Bandit/Impulse?? abit old liao. But you didn't describe your problem more clearly. Be more specific Please...

 

Is the Starter motor still cranking??? If yes

 

1. Check plug. maybe foul. recently raining maybe water seep in and foul the plugs.

 

If managed to start, splash water on all the 4 header pipes... water should vapourised together at the same time... If one or 2 pipes water not evapouring then dig further into this...

 

2. Check fuel passage for choke... Like Tank valve choke with dirt, fuel line kink, fuel filter choke,

 

If not cranking, might be the carbon brush worn... Or starter relay dead.

 

Try to check those cheap stuff first... take it a step at a time. Drop by a trusty mech to help you out. I know and trust my bike to 1 mech. If you want can PM me for contact. This Mech usually troubleshoot problem with riders not those ready to chop you...

Edited June 7, 2010 by Limsteel

[piercingpain]

Thanks for the replies guys!

 

Yep, it's the 83 model! Unfortunately, where I am right now, there's no mechanic nearby, and my bike has refused to start for the past 2-3 days :S I got some new spark plugs, but i'm not very sure how to change them >.

 

Limsteel, what do you mean by cranking? When I press the electric start button, it gives of the normal churning sound, but doesn't give the "brooom!" that signals the start of the engine. Does that mean that it's cranking?

[yeukeong]

My bike cant start the next morning. I Checked the battery, reading is 12.7V. No cranking sound.

Change new spark plug the next day, still refused to start.

Maybe big problem need to c doctor, Tow the bike to workshop.

The next day, bike shop ask me to collect my bike, i need to pay for the tow only.

WHY????????????? Got so good bike shop????????????

 

Engine Stop Switch is "ON"

[Limsteel]

I got some new spark plugs, but i'm not very sure how to change them

 

Bike should come with tool kit, just remove you tank, pull out all the plug cable. then take out old and put in new... very simple.

 

Limsteel, what do you mean by cranking? When I press the electric start button, it gives of the normal churning sound

 

When you press start button, the starter motor should crank the engine. Your "Churning sound" should mean it is cranking. The engine just cannot startup? OK is the churning weak or strong (compare last time, does the starter motor sound different).

 

- Did you stop riding for a while or suddenly just failed without warning?

- Parked in open carpark?

- Tried pulling choke?

- Can you push start?

 

If still blur, then tow to bike shop ($20 - 40) only

 

 

yeukeong:

My newbie story:

Start bike (LC Kia), ride ½way engine stalled in middle of the road. Panic as I in right lane... after get all my bike kakies down, check here there... Found Petrol Pet **** in "OFF" position. Kenna F jialat jialat and have to treat Prata to all of them...

 

My friend, we went to JB for makan, after crossing, his bike ½way engine stalled. Managed to start ride a few hundred meter, stall again. Panic like F... later found out his siphon his petrol out to his bro's bike so can go JB top up max! Kenna F and dinner on him...

[piercingpain]

Bike should come with tool kit, just remove you tank, pull out all the plug cable. then take out old and put in new... very simple.

 

Yup, managed to change 2 of the 4 the spark plugs, but still not working :S Will try to get another 2 and change those as well, but they seem to be working.

 

When you press start button, the starter motor should crank the engine. Your "Churning sound" should mean it is cranking. The engine just cannot startup? OK is the churning weak or strong (compare last time, does the starter motor sound different).

 

- Did you stop riding for a while or suddenly just failed without warning?

- Parked in open carpark?

- Tried pulling choke?

- Can you push start?

 

Churning is pretty strong, because I changed the battery, but it still won't get started :S

 

I took over the bike from someone who didn't ride very frequently. The first trip was good, but the next day it wouldn't start in the morning. I put it up to cold start, and it worked fine at night. Over the next few days it worked, but sometimes took quite a bit of throttling to get it started. Then one day it just stopped :S

 

I tried push start and opening the gas intake (i'm not sure where the choke is on this bike >.

 

If still blur, then tow to bike shop ($20 - 40) only

 

Unfortunately I'm in Sweden.. Towing bikes here cost a few hundred bucks at best >.

 

When I tried starting the bike this morning, i heard a fizzy sound (like air bubbles going through a pipe) coming from one side of the bike. Could it be the fuel line is choked? I can't find that part though - the head of this bike's tank is attached to mainframe internally, with all the wires attached to it, so i can't seem to remove it to take a good look at the engine.. :S

[Limsteel]

Change plugs. Come to think of it, can't be all the plugs failed...

 

Batt changed, so batt problem strike off...

 

Apologies, didn't realised you are sweed.

 

Fizzy sound. You have to be very hands on this. you have to remove the tank. Wire from tank likely for fuel gauge (if you have one...) else there shouldn't be any wires.

 

Test the pet **** for fuel flow. check the fuel filter.

Finally, check the carbs, the resevoir have floater like our toiler flush reservoir... see if it is jammed...

 

Let me check with my mech for other possible issues...

 

If all should fail... rent a truck (should be cheaper right) and bring it to your mechs. Ignition coils, magneto coil and CDi are alowly coming into the picture.

Edited June 11, 2010 by Limsteel

[piercingpain]

Thanks everyone for all your help and advice!!! I ended up towing the bike to the workshop.. cost me a whopping 300 bucks for repair and tow :S

 

But the problem was the fuel mixture - there was quite a bit of water, and some impurities or smth.. so i had to empty out the whole tank and get it washed out.. but it's good now!!

 

Thanks all!!!

[spark315]

bro my advice would to fit petrol filter as it will help to remove the impurities and change the fuel tank gasket to prevent water sippage... and pls clean the fuel pump regularly...

[Limsteel]

Thanks everyone for all your help and advice!!! I ended up towing the bike to the workshop.. cost me a whopping 300 bucks for repair and tow :S

 

But the problem was the fuel mixture - there was quite a bit of water, and some impurities or smth.. so i had to empty out the whole tank and get it washed out.. but it's good now!!

 

Thanks all!!!

 

Ha... glad you got your problem fixed. Like I ask previously, do you park out in the open? Parking your bike out under the mercy of Rain, Shine and Wind can do wonders to your bike. But I didn't really think of water seepage into the fuel tank. Apologies.

 

But if you can't find a sheltered parking, try to get a cover and diligently cover your bike. It really help protect it from the harsh Rain, UV light, heat etc...

[piercingpain]

Ha... glad you got your problem fixed. Like I ask previously, do you park out in the open? Parking your bike out under the mercy of Rain, Shine and Wind can do wonders to your bike. But I didn't really think of water seepage into the fuel tank. Apologies.

 

But if you can't find a sheltered parking, try to get a cover and diligently cover your bike. It really help protect it from the harsh Rain, UV light, heat etc...

 

Heyy.. yupp!! I really need to do that! It just rained over the weekend, and I realised my engine's rather choppy again :S Will just emptying out the fuel in the carburetors help? >.

 

ps: I'm not swede.. heh, i'm singaporean.. i just happen to be in sweden for this period of time