DL650 Starter not working

[AndyO]

Hi everyone.
I've got a problem with my starter motor not turning. The only way it works is to use a jump lead from the engine to the battery negative. I'm guessing the engine earth connection is broken/corroded but I can't find the connection. Can anyone tell me where it's connected?
Andy.

[Joe Rocket]

I have to say I don't know for sure but it should be near the - battery terminal so trace the wires (look very hard!) back from there? 
Other bikes I've had have a dedicated earth lead bolted to the engine and back to the battery.

[kwackboy]

What you are doing suggests to me that either your starter button isn't working or the starter solenoid is faulty

[joethebike]

When my 650 suffered similar problems the cure lay in the cable connection onto the starter motor itself. General corrosion had interrupted the current from the cable into the starter and the cure was a general clean up and replacing the corroded steel washer under the cable securing nut with a copper one.

[Gert]

Have you perhaps read https://www.vstrom.info/Smf/index.php/topic,35799.0.html and https://www.vstrom.info/Smf/index.php/topic,33162.0.html. While these links are reports for the Wee, to my knowledge, the same principal would be used on the Glee.

[Barbel Mick]

The OP states that the bike can be started by putting a jumper from the negative battery terminal to the engine. Does this mean that the fuses & switches are OK & the bike can be started normally by using this temporary jumper?
If so, I too would be looking to check the earth cable connections first.   

[TLPower]

+1 as Mick says, it sounds like the earth/negative circuit.

[Barbel Mick]

engine earth connection is broken/corroded but I can't find the connection. Can anyone tell me where it's connected?
Andy.

I'm only guessing but the front lower part of the engine????
Can anyone confirm the exact position for Andy.

@ AndyO, I would also check the battery terminal negative connection, just because it works with the jumper may not mean the cable connection is good.   

[Ianmc]

Just had a look at my DL650K9,the battery negative cable runs forward from the battery,the follows the route of the fuel tank overflow hose downhill,roughly as far as just above footrest level.It then turns inboard and is secured onto the casing by being bolted from the inside.I.e.at the rear of the clutch housing.I cannot get any closer without removing the belly plate.There is another cable bolted to the same place.If you use a screwdriver you may be able to wiggle the fitting to see if it is loose.Good luck.

[porter]

Had a similar problem with my 1000.  Bike ran fine, stopped for a coffee, wouldn't start again, starter wouldn't turn over. AA man tested battery said all OK but there was no earth. He fitted another earth till the fuel tank support bracket and bike ran fine.
 When I got home I removed his lead and fitted the original but it wouldn't start again. Traced the earth till the back of the engine, near the front sprocket, looked fine and clean but when I removed the long bolt it was covered in corrosion. Good clean and all was well. I still keep the AA man's earth under the seat just in case!

[Gert]

Have you read any of these, https://www.v-strom.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=27738.0 and https://www.stromtrooper.com/DL1000-2002-2012/365266-bike-only-starts-when-negative-charge-cable-attached.html (see post #8 for a diagram of connetion)

[AndyO]

Thanks for the replies, I didn't fancy pulling all the plastic off looking for the connection if I didn't need too. I think it will be the engine connection as the headlight is fine and bright. I'll check it out tomorrow and hopefully sort it out.

[Dark-Strom]

Good luck 

Are we saying for any 650, that its worth fitting an additional earth from the battery to one of the tank securing bolts to prevent having this issue?

[Gert]

I would say that this type of corrosion failure would depend on the weather and road conditions in your area. I remember reading a post a while back (I think by Greywolf), warning of the chemical reaction between aluminium and steel, when it comes to looking for an earth connection point on the frame.
Perhaps if you made it part of your routine / service, to check this earth connection, say once a year, looking for any corrosion on both the earth bolt and terminals, you should be good to go.

[AndyO]

sorted 
Earth from battery is bolted to the back of the engine, had to drop the right footpeg to get access with a socket past the brake switch. Slackened and re tightened bolt and the starter is fine again.

[Barbel Mick]

  glad it's sorted. However if it was me I would have taken it off completely and cleaned it, then put some copper grease on the bolt.

[AndyO]

I was a bit short on time today, just glad to get it going. I'll grease it another time

[Gassoon]

   glad you got it sorted, and thanks for letting us know what it was

[kwackboy]

Glad to hear you have it sorted