FJ1200 turns over, but won't start

[Cameron123]

Good morning everyone.

I have an '89 FJ1200 which won't start.  The battery is fully charged and the starter runs fine, but appears to be getting no power.  I can hear the fuel pump at the first detent and I can also hear the relay switch (under the seat), clicking as I push the starter button.  Also, the instrument panel lights turn off - as they should - when I hit the starter button. 

I've tried the kill switch and still get nothing - though that's a continuing possibility until I remove it from the circuit.  Meanwhile I'm thinking the kickstand switch may be an issue, but have never used it as the bike is attached to a sidecar.  Perhaps I'll also take a look at the starter connections.  Anywhere else I should investigate? 

Thanks for the WOTL.

Cameron

[bama1]

If I was you pull the outlet hose off the fuel pump and just make sure the pumps not bad.My 89 pump went out this year and it would make a noise but it was still bad.If it makes one click noise its probably bad mine was.Your problem sounds just like what I had.
BAMA

[Cameron123]

I don't think the pump is bad since I can hear it humming at the key's first detent position.  It's the starter relay I hear click when I try the starter switch.

What's really annoying is the fact that I just spent $350+ to fix the front end and then it wouldn't start (even though the engine turned over) until I replaced the choke cable.  Now this...   

Cameron

[SlowOldGuy]

Okay, I'm confused.  Is the started turning the engine over or not?  You say the starter runs fine but appears to be getting no power.  Does that mean the starter is not turning the engine?

If so, then it sounds like an interlock problem.  There is also a clutch switch. I believe you short the terminals to remove the switch from the circuit, but an ohm test would confirm that.

DavidR.

[Scooterbob]

You say the starter runs fine but is not getting any power?  Does this mean that the engine is turning over, but just not starting?  Or is the starter not even turning the engine?

[Scooterbob]

Okay, I'm confused.  Is the started turning the engine over or not?  You say the starter runs fine but appears to be getting no power.  Does that mean the starter is not turning the engine?

If so, then it sounds like an interlock problem.  There is also a clutch switch. I believe you short the terminals to remove the switch from the circuit, but an ohm test would confirm that.

DavidR.

Beat me by a few seconds I guess.     At lease I wasn't the only one confused.

[SlowOldGuy]

The description also conflicts with the subject of the post which says "turns over but won't start."

Which is it?  Way different diagnoses depending on what's really wrong.

DavidR.

[Cameron123]

Must be my Alzheimer's kicking in...

Last week I couldn't get the thing started as I had a previous issue with the choke cable where the starter ran and turned over the engine, but the engine wouldn't kick.  I confused you all by saying it turns over.  It doesn't.  The starter button clicks the relay switch (under the seat) but the starter does not run and thus the engine can't start.  Thus, I believe it to be something else in the electrical circuit and was too lazy to wait to get home to look it up in the schematic.  Just looking for ideas or previous issues of a similar nature.

Thanks for any assistance you can provide this 48 year old "old man".

Cameron

[mz_rider]

Must be my Alzheimer's kicking in...

Last week I couldn't get the thing started as I had a previous issue with the choke cable where the starter ran and turned over the engine, but the engine wouldn't kick.  I confused you all by saying it turns over.  It doesn't.  The starter button clicks the relay switch (under the seat) but the starter does not run and thus the engine can't start.  Thus, I believe it to be something else in the electrical circuit and was too lazy to wait to get home to look it up in the schematic.  Just looking for ideas or previous issues of a similar nature.

Thanks for any assistance you can provide this 48 year old "old man".

Cameron

Cameron,

A problem I had with the same symptoms was a bad earth between the battery negative and the frame. This allowed enough current to work the lights, horn etc but not the starter motor. This can quickly be checked by shorting the negative terminal against the frame and hitting the starter button.

Another problem I had on my older FJ was a fault somewhere in the system. I ended up wiring the starter switch straight to the relay. Unfortunately on one occasion I hit the starter button in gear and launched the bike into a ditch!

Stuart (Glasgow, Scotland)

[Scooterbob]

Sounds like a grounding issue to me too.

Is it possible to push start these big beasts

[racerman_27410]

i would not rule out catastrophic battery failure also..... i have had batteries that would run the lights but fail under starting load.

batteries can crap out anytime and anywhere


KOokaloo!

[Harvy]

Is it possible to push start these big beasts

Yep, but its not for the faint hearted, especially when cold!

Harvy

[Scooterbob]

Is it possible to push start these big beasts

Yep, but its not for the faint hearted, especially when cold!

Harvy

Cold? What's that? I don't have much of that here in Houston Texas. 

[Travis398]

It wouldn't hurt to put a wrench on the crank,
just to make sure its not locked up.

[mz_rider]

Is it possible to push start these big beasts

Yep, but its not for the faint hearted, especially when cold!

Harvy

Cold? What's that? I don't have much of that here in Houston Texas. 

Not even funny Scooterbob, minus 2C here tomorrow morning - and it's only November. The FJs are tucked up in the garage, but I commute all year on my little Honda 250. Oh well only 4 months of this to go.

Stuart