GS750 won't turn over - battery is charged, Nothing from starter button or kick

[Guest]

Hi guys - sorry to jump right in - my 1978 GS750 E - which was totally fine, starting right away, suddenly won't start, i checked and charged battery, seems fine. it won't even turn over as in no sound heard from engine when pressing starter button. Won't start from kick-start either - I didn't try to bump start it.
Must be something small i guess - connector, fuse etc. ??
I guess it's a common question. It has electronic ignition.
Bit of a rush for an answer here.
Thanks in advance.

[Brendan W]

Start with fuses. Does anything work ? Horn, lights, indicators, oil pressure lamp ? If a fuse is blown you will need to find out why. Only rarely do they ' go off' from old age.

[LondonBoyGS]

Hi - yes horn and lights, indicators work, oil and neutral lights light up. i suspect a fuse too. is there one fuse specific to starting?

[LondonBoyGS]

bike was totally fine, just thru it's MOT drove it to and back from the MOT station, no problems, parked it up - 5 days later having not touched it at all - won't start. Battery seems fine.

[Brendan W]

The third fuse from the top is ign and starter. If it's ok the kill switch also has to be on to supply both coils and starter relay.
Is the bike is a US import?
Allowing for someone turning the fusebox upside down the one you want is the middle position. No. 3 of five slots.

[LondonBoyGS]

thanks - kill switch is on (i'm daft but not that daft ) - if that fuse has failed will it be the source of the problem? What i mean is will the neutral and oil pressure lights - light up but won't start? The bike was completely fine with no warnings this was imminent - i like you - suspect that fuse. Wonder why it would just go ... i suppose fuses do that ... thanks again for your time.

[Brendan W]

Maybe It could be the cause or a symptom of another problem i.e. a short somewhere in the ign.starter circuits.
The two above it are the same rating, or should be, so you could swap one of them in and see if the bike starts. It may blow in which case you are looking for a short somewhere.
Check the fuse ratings. IIRC the top three are the same 10A and the fourth, main fuse, should be 15A. The fifth slot is spare for the gin chiller box in the faring
FYI from the top the fuses run
Lights
Signals
Ignition
Main
Auxiliary

[LondonBoyGS]

Thanks for your time will do as u suggest.

[Brendan W]

Let us know what happened. There is always someone awake here - technically at least
Good luck.
Here is a link to some wiring diagrams http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/
They are all pretty much the same even if you don't find an exact match. Just watch out for the starter lockouts and permanently on headlights on the US models.

[tkent02]

It's a 1978, it won't have that stuff. Should only have one fuse too, if the lights are working that's not the problem.

[Brendan W]

It's a 1978, it won't have that stuff. Should only have one fuse too, if the lights are working that's not the problem.

Yes , just spotted that one fuse only thing. Suppose that points the finger at the kill switch if the lights are ok but neither electric nor kick will start it ?

[chuck hahn]

Why havent you guys figured out the obvious check yet???? Turn on the key and short across the two top terminals of the starter selinoid..she will crank and start. If this works then go to any small engine shop or Tractor Supply and take the old selinoid with you. match it up for around 10 bucks and ride on.

[Brendan W]

Why havent you guys figured out the obvious check yet???? Turn on the key and short across the two top terminals of the starter selinoid..she will crank and start. If this works then go to any small engine shop or Tractor Supply and take the old selinoid with you. match it up for around 10 bucks and ride on.

It's Monday morning - give me a break
I was thinking that but it's not starting with the kick either ?

[chuck hahn]

My kicker on the 77 750 is a pain in the azz too. I have worn my leg out with the thing...literally just ran out of breath trying. Unless the timing is spot on and its a "perfect world" screw the damned thing. Short across the selinoid and if it cranks theres the problem.

[chuck hahn]

I should also mention an experience with my 78 1000C. All was well and that bike has no kicker option. repainted the frame and battery box and then nothing. Figured the ground via the mounting bolt was gubbered due to paint so I ran a tap to get good metal.....nothing. Wound up making a jumper from the mount bolt directly to the battery...magic. So if it cranks via the short across the terminals then next maybe make yoiu a jumper wire like I did and try that before spending cash on a new selinoid. Just a thought.