I'm new and i have a problem, HELP!! - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

DirrtyXris · 08-28-2005, 06:32 PM

I have a 03 Katana 600, it wont start. I dont think its the starter because it started then turned off cuz it was cold. After that the switch wouldnt make a peep. what should i check for?

NewEvolution · 08-28-2005, 09:17 PM

I'd check the battery, and the side stand switch. I'm not sure how it works on an '03, but the GX I was just on for the MSF wouldn't attempt to start if the side stand was down. Also, some bikes won't let you hit the starter if the clutch isn't depressed. Again, not sure if that's the case with an '03 Katana, but it's worth a shot.

DirrtyXris · 08-29-2005, 02:55 PM

I did check it but it doesnt work. its up at 12 volts, its just that when i hit the ignition switch it doesnt do anything. In the morning it started then it turned off cuz it was cold, after that try, it stalled. what else could it be? the starter? or the switch itself?

NewEvolution · 08-29-2005, 08:59 PM

When you press the starter, does it do NOTHING, or does it turn over then die. I'd have to look into '03s to see a bit more about the bike, but knowing this first would tell me what direction to look into.

DirrtyXris · 08-30-2005, 12:39 AM

It does nothing. I think it might be the engine kill switch. My boss told me that ur not supposed to kill the engine with that switch, u use the key to turn it off. He told me that those switches are prone to fawkup. any ideas?

NewEvolution · 08-30-2005, 07:43 PM

I'd never heard anything about the kill switches being prone to damage. And the MSF course teaches to use the kill switch, and NOT reach for the ignition to kill the bike. That way you remain in control of both your throttle and the front brake while the bike is running. All you need to do is thumb the switch. The kill switch IS in the on/run position, right? If not, hitting the starter button won't do a thing. Also, like I said before, check to make sure the side stand is up when you're trying to start it, and make sure the bike is in neutral, and the clutch is pulled in. Not sure if it's the case with your particular bike, but other bikes have various safeties that prevent starting when any or all of those things aren't in the places I've mentioned.

DirrtyXris · 08-30-2005, 08:20 PM

Well i just found out that the kill switch and the ignition switch are working. Next to check is the stand switch, might have gone bad. i hate this.

NewEvolution · 08-30-2005, 09:37 PM

Heh...I feel for ya. I just spent several hours with a multi-meter going over my bike, making sure all the wiring is intact before I slap all the new parts back on it. Took quite a while to trace MY starting problem back to the starter solenoid. Everything worked, switch wise, just no juice getting to the starter. Eventually I figured out it WAS the solenoid by bridging the gap between the two electrodes with a screwdriver (NOT recommended). Sucker fired right up. In any event, the solenoid is due to arrive within the week. Hope your problems sort themselves out in a timely and inexpensive manner

DirrtyXris · 08-30-2005, 10:47 PM

Thanks NewEvolution, youve been a big help, ill be around now, im new to this forum.

08-28-2005, 06:32 PM	#1 (permalink)
DirrtyXris Newbie Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 8	I'm new and i have a problem, HELP!! I have a 03 Katana 600, it wont start. I dont think its the starter because it started then turned off cuz it was cold. After that the switch wouldnt make a peep. what should i check for?

08-28-2005, 09:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
NewEvolution Seat Tester Joined: Nov 2004 Bike: '95 Katana GSX600FS Location: Gainesville FL Posts: 84	I'd check the battery, and the side stand switch. I'm not sure how it works on an '03, but the GX I was just on for the MSF wouldn't attempt to start if the side stand was down. Also, some bikes won't let you hit the starter if the clutch isn't depressed. Again, not sure if that's the case with an '03 Katana, but it's worth a shot. __________________ Last edited by NewEvolution; 08-28-2005 at 09:19 PM. Reason: erratic spelling =\

08-29-2005, 08:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
NewEvolution Seat Tester Joined: Nov 2004 Bike: '95 Katana GSX600FS Location: Gainesville FL Posts: 84	When you press the starter, does it do NOTHING, or does it turn over then die. I'd have to look into '03s to see a bit more about the bike, but knowing this first would tell me what direction to look into. __________________

08-30-2005, 07:43 PM	#6 (permalink)
NewEvolution Seat Tester Joined: Nov 2004 Bike: '95 Katana GSX600FS Location: Gainesville FL Posts: 84	I'd never heard anything about the kill switches being prone to damage. And the MSF course teaches to use the kill switch, and NOT reach for the ignition to kill the bike. That way you remain in control of both your throttle and the front brake while the bike is running. All you need to do is thumb the switch. The kill switch IS in the on/run position, right? If not, hitting the starter button won't do a thing. Also, like I said before, check to make sure the side stand is up when you're trying to start it, and make sure the bike is in neutral, and the clutch is pulled in. Not sure if it's the case with your particular bike, but other bikes have various safeties that prevent starting when any or all of those things aren't in the places I've mentioned. __________________

08-30-2005, 09:37 PM	#8 (permalink)
NewEvolution Seat Tester Joined: Nov 2004 Bike: '95 Katana GSX600FS Location: Gainesville FL Posts: 84	Heh...I feel for ya. I just spent several hours with a multi-meter going over my bike, making sure all the wiring is intact before I slap all the new parts back on it. Took quite a while to trace MY starting problem back to the starter solenoid. Everything worked, switch wise, just no juice getting to the starter. Eventually I figured out it WAS the solenoid by bridging the gap between the two electrodes with a screwdriver (NOT recommended). Sucker fired right up. In any event, the solenoid is due to arrive within the week. Hope your problems sort themselves out in a timely and inexpensive manner __________________

08-29-2005, 02:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
DirrtyXris Newbie Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 8	I did check it but it doesnt work. its up at 12 volts, its just that when i hit the ignition switch it doesnt do anything. In the morning it started then it turned off cuz it was cold, after that try, it stalled. what else could it be? the starter? or the switch itself?

08-30-2005, 12:39 AM	#5 (permalink)
DirrtyXris Newbie Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 8	It does nothing. I think it might be the engine kill switch. My boss told me that ur not supposed to kill the engine with that switch, u use the key to turn it off. He told me that those switches are prone to fawkup. any ideas?

08-30-2005, 08:20 PM	#7 (permalink)
DirrtyXris Newbie Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 8	Well i just found out that the kill switch and the ignition switch are working. Next to check is the stand switch, might have gone bad. i hate this.

08-30-2005, 10:47 PM	#9 (permalink)
DirrtyXris Newbie Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 8	Thanks NewEvolution, youve been a big help, ill be around now, im new to this forum.

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