Starting problems due to a bad ground?

CSXfan · 07-27-2008

Hi all,
Some of you may remember that I have been having trouble with the starter on my '81 kz250 csr. I had the starter tested and it checked out okay but the problem continues.

Here's what's happening. When I hit the starter button I can hear the solenoid click and the starter begin to spin and turn the engine over, but it seems like it doesn't have enough juice to actually turn the engine. Sometimes the engine will turn over but very slowly.

Yesterday I noticed that if I pull the clutch lever in while hitting the starter button the bike will start up perfectly. Sometimes I can see and hear an electrical arch between the clutch lever and the handlebars when I do this.

Can anyone explain to me why this is happening? Is it a bad ground? Or maybe a built in safety feature that hasn't worked until now? How can I fix this? Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

StarGate · 07-27-2008

Check the ground cable to the engine. Clean both ends and the mating surfaces they connect to, and check the cable for internal resistance.

CSXfan · 07-27-2008

What ground cable are you referring to? The only ground that I know of is the one running from the battery to the chassis. Could it be the bolts that connect the starter casing to the engine block? I'll try running a copper wire from one of the bolts on the starter to the oil filter cover bolts in the mean time. Thanks stargate.

StarGate · 07-27-2008

While I'm not 100% positive the 250 had one, there should be a ground cable from the battery to the back of the engine crankcase. Mine bolts up on the back right side of the engine where the kickstart would be if it had one.

LoudFastUgly · 07-27-2008

If there is no ground cable from the engine to the frame it wouldn't hurt to add one.

MFolks · 07-27-2008

The battery must have a connection to the frame/engine as this is going from the negative(black) terminal. The positive (red) terminal goes from the battery to the starter solenoid. Both of these cables must be clean and tight or the staring problems will continue. And the cable from the solenoid to the starter motor again must be clean and tight.

I've found that a piece of 8 gauge welding cable with the correct terminal ends works great for battery cables.

07-27-2008	#1 (permalink)
CSXfan Made It To Second Gear BTK Beginner Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Dorr MI Posts: 75	Starting problems due to a bad ground? Hi all, Some of you may remember that I have been having trouble with the starter on my '81 kz250 csr. I had the starter tested and it checked out okay but the problem continues. Here's what's happening. When I hit the starter button I can hear the solenoid click and the starter begin to spin and turn the engine over, but it seems like it doesn't have enough juice to actually turn the engine. Sometimes the engine will turn over but very slowly. Yesterday I noticed that if I pull the clutch lever in while hitting the starter button the bike will start up perfectly. Sometimes I can see and hear an electrical arch between the clutch lever and the handlebars when I do this. Can anyone explain to me why this is happening? Is it a bad ground? Or maybe a built in safety feature that hasn't worked until now? How can I fix this? Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

07-27-2008	#2 (permalink)
StarGate Navy Vet S.A.R. crew BTK Expert Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NE Arkansas Posts: 5,030	Check the ground cable to the engine. Clean both ends and the mating surfaces they connect to, and check the cable for internal resistance. __________________ Mike Original Owner 1981 KZ1000-K1 LTD 2000 Suzuki King Quad Photos

07-27-2008	#4 (permalink)
StarGate Navy Vet S.A.R. crew BTK Expert Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NE Arkansas Posts: 5,030	While I'm not 100% positive the 250 had one, there should be a ground cable from the battery to the back of the engine crankcase. Mine bolts up on the back right side of the engine where the kickstart would be if it had one. __________________ Mike Original Owner 1981 KZ1000-K1 LTD 2000 Suzuki King Quad Photos

07-27-2008	#5 (permalink)
LoudFastUgly Got KZ? BTK Expert Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Ontario Kanata Posts: 882	If there is no ground cable from the engine to the frame it wouldn't hurt to add one. __________________ KZ550A4

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07-27-2008	#3 (permalink)
CSXfan Made It To Second Gear BTK Beginner Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Dorr MI Posts: 75	What ground cable are you referring to? The only ground that I know of is the one running from the battery to the chassis. Could it be the bolts that connect the starter casing to the engine block? I'll try running a copper wire from one of the bolts on the starter to the oil filter cover bolts in the mean time. Thanks stargate.

07-27-2008	#6 (permalink)
MFolks Way Too Much Free Time BTK Expert Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Springfield Mo Posts: 1,005	The battery must have a connection to the frame/engine as this is going from the negative(black) terminal. The positive (red) terminal goes from the battery to the starter solenoid. Both of these cables must be clean and tight or the staring problems will continue. And the cable from the solenoid to the starter motor again must be clean and tight. I've found that a piece of 8 gauge welding cable with the correct terminal ends works great for battery cables.

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