Author Topic: Vstrom 650 won't start - Dim display (Read 9102 times)

Ianmc · « **Reply #20 on:** March 30, 2017, 16:06:07 »

Where does the main earth strap connect to the engine on a Wee.Sounds a bit like it may have a bad connection.Ian Mc.

lekyuk · « **Reply #21 on:** April 06, 2017, 22:55:27 »

Hi,

A brief update....

The bike came back in more bits than expected from Bill Smith's. I mean, it was literally in pieces with a box of about 30 bolts and other bits. You can imagine how pleased I am they didn't take the 10 minutes just to put a few of these back in. So, I may well be asking where some of these go. Also, at least one jubilee clip missing. Nail in the coffin with them...thoroughly disappointed.

Second hand wiring harness in hand. £65 off EBay. Cleaning it up and checking bits before it gets put on this Saturday (by me).

I've also emailed Suzuki given now the history of the VStrom loom/harness recalls. I explained I was looking at £2500 from Bill Smith (who incidentally offered me £1000 for the bike and also seemed keen to flog me a Tracer) and also that I think a non-mechanical part should last more than 4 years. I will post their response but I'm not pinning anything on it. It is the second and last Suzuki I buy.

Questions- does anyone have a pic of the wiring harness with the black sleeve on it in the right front of the bike? I think its the loom connection to the headlight/ignition etc. Bill Smith have left it all hanging and I've no idea what goes where and how it attached to the frame/fairing!

Also, over the small spocket there is a silver cover connected by a wire. Does anyone know what the securing bolts look like and if its 3 identical bolts? They're possibly in the box of bits...it could be any.

Wish me luck on Saturday. Could be a very good or very bad day.

Leky

UK_Vstrom650 · « **Reply #22 on:** April 07, 2017, 09:03:42 »

Clutch side? I'll take a picture of it today as off work

Edit: just found this photo of the sprocket side on my phone. Hope it helps. Think the 3rd bolt not in the pic is the same but it also has a bracket to hold the wiring from the speed sensor in place similar to the one just below the hole.

user650 · « **Reply #23 on:** April 07, 2017, 14:20:56 »

The third bolt hole looks like it's for the plastic cover that covers the front sprocket

UK_Vstrom650 · « **Reply #24 on:** April 07, 2017, 18:10:29 »

You're right, that it what it's for.

Some pics of the clutch side wiring near the forks

I should add, you'll see some wiring I added for the auxiliary socket and voltmeter

Hondaman · « **Reply #25 on:** April 07, 2017, 21:18:21 »

Leky, it doesn't sound a good experience receiving the bike back

Before starting to swap the loom, it may be worth spending a bit of time stripping the usual troublesome connectors (above rad, behind clocks, inside lh fairing) & spraying a bit of wd40 & working them. Your loom may be OK, it may save a bit of fiddly, unnescessary ball ache swapping an otherwise OK loom.

Either way, properly protect all non-waterproof connectors upon reassembly.

Just a thought, Phil

UK_Vstrom650 · « **Reply #26 on:** April 07, 2017, 21:32:54 »

+1 and I'd also say if that doesn't work cut the loom open near the coolant expansion bottle and check for a broken wire (like mine). A bit of solder could save you some hassle.

lekyuk · « **Reply #27 on:** April 08, 2017, 18:24:21 »

4 hours later. New loom in. Tried a quick test and fuel pump works but no life on the display. Going to double check everything tomorrow and then try again. If it's still dead I'll take off front fairing completely and check there. Cider now being consumed to console me. Wiring loom wasn't that painful. Still bill smith wanted 7 hours labour and an amateur did it in 4. What are you supposed to think?

Thanks for pics. I now know the bike inside and out. Just hoping I get a fix.

Still gutted with a small but fading sense of hope.

UK_Vstrom650 · « **Reply #28 on:** April 08, 2017, 21:33:10 »

Glad you got the new loom in. Does the bike start? Might be worth rechecking all the connections tomorrow. If it doesn't work then I suppose one option is to install your clocks on someone else's bike to check they're not knackered. That way at least you eliminate one problem...

For now though, enjoy the cider and try not to think about it.

(7hrs must have included them taking photos and writing a step by step guide???)

lekyuk · « **Reply #29 on:** April 09, 2017, 18:00:58 »

In the words of that bloke from the Frankenstein movie....SHE'S ALIVE!!!!!

Yup, total of 6 hours and after just rerouting stuff as it should be this afternoon and attaching the tank I put the key in with a very faint hope and wouldn't you know, it all works!!! I'm amazed.

Total cost by me £65. Estimate from Bill Smith for loom alone was £1500.

I now just got to get the panels back on and work out how you tighten the jubilee clip on the air box...the front one. Anyone?

Thanks for help/advice. I feel like I know a lot more about where stuff is now but non the wiser as to the actual fault.

UK_Vstrom650 · « **Reply #30 on:** April 09, 2017, 18:45:20 »

Good to hear. There's three options for the front airbox screw:
1. (my dealer's preferred option from how I got the bike back) Don't bother...

2. Use a really long screwdriver, I have a 450mm long screwdriver which works a treat from the throttle side near reg/rec.
3. Pull the boot off the airbox, tighten then fit through (grease/WD40) will help it go through.

Bet it'll feel great to be back on it again

And cut the old loom open near where the coolant bottle was. My money is on a broken connector there.

lekyuk · « **Reply #31 on:** April 11, 2017, 07:46:56 »

Couple more questions...

I didn't dismantle the clock assembly, that was done by the garage. Does the clock fix into the assembly first and then into the housing? By housing I mean the plastic around the clock, not the actual part of the clock if that makes sense. I think I have two screws which hold it in prior to actually fitting.

Also (and I will take a pic) I have a single black bolt (or it could be a screw) with a plastic spacer on it. the bolt is about 4cm and the spacer about 1cm. Does anyone know where this goes?

Lastly, it is advisable to spray ACF onto the connectors? I'm assuming it doesn't short them. I have before but given my new paranoia about Suzuki looms I want to protect them.

Thanks

Leky

PS: This experience will mean the bike is being sold as soon as the Finance is paid so 12 more months and then almost sure I'm getting the Tracer 900. Booking a test this summer.

UK_Vstrom650 · « **Reply #32 on:** April 11, 2017, 08:43:00 »

Clocks go in the housing before attaching to the bike. The two bolts at the top are all that holds the clocks to the surrounding.

I spray ACF50 in all the connectors & no harm done.

I also share your frustration with Suzuki electrics and have told Suzuki this. My next bike won't be a Suzuki either, as from my experience of my bike Suzuki's has dodgy electrics. I'll be spending this summer test riding lots of other brands and researching their bikes.

Good luck getting it back on the road

lekyuk · « **Reply #33 on:** April 11, 2017, 18:12:30 »

Anyone know where this goes?

lekyuk · « **Reply #34 on:** April 11, 2017, 18:14:02 »

For fun.....

Brockett · « **Reply #35 on:** April 11, 2017, 19:15:44 »

This has been a hard and slightly depressing read and I salute your perseverance. Three cheers for the members who have encouraged and advised you throughout. And finally. With reference to your original post ...... don't wash it again. Just wipe it eh!

lekyuk · « **Reply #36 on:** April 11, 2017, 22:05:08 »

Its really made me think about all year biking. It's has 2 years and no break but was cleaned twice a week on winter to remove salt. Whilst I can't bear stripping the loom out I'm protecting everything I can with acf50 or a yet unpurchased wrap for some of the exposed wires.

I'd advise anyone who doesn't to at least acf50 everything including the connectors where ever they are. I always concentrated on the frame and engine previously.

A bit further on tonight....Might be rebuilt on Sat. Can't wait.

Black bolt in pic anyone?

Hondaman · « **Reply #37 on:** April 11, 2017, 23:11:37 »

Well done to get her working again.
Suzuki electrics are shockingly bad, prevention is easy enough and largely free IF you know about it....
I always use waxoil/wd40 mix inside the connectors & thick, undiluted, gloopy waxoil to fill the externals of a connector, I've never had a problem with this mix and used it for years.

don't know about the bolt, the spacer looks like those supplied with a Givi Airflow.

greywolf · « **Reply #38 on:** April 12, 2017, 00:05:11 »

I always find it funny when someone from the land of Joseph Lucas complains about Japanese electrics. Maybe Lucas wasn't that bad and it's the love of riding through salt water that is the problem.

Hondaman · « **Reply #39 on:** April 12, 2017, 07:32:55 »

What an utterly ridiculous comment GW (and a great reminder to why I rarely post here any more)....

Lucas electrics may be the but.t of many a joke, they were from a previous era, things have moved on a bit since then. Or at least should have.
No modern vehicle should place a bunch of unprotected non waterproof connectors in an exposed position. None.
While you may think this is generally acceptable practice by Suzuki worthy of defending, many of us would disagree.

While many here in the UK lay their bikes up for 5 or 6 months of the year, there are many of us that do ride year round, perhaps, that's because we can, our climate generally allows it or it's because we need to (commuting, traffic) or perhaps like myself, because we love riding.

I have never met anybody whatsoever with a love of riding through salt water