My engine wont turn!

Right before I took my bike out to have it dropped by my friend, the engine was not always turning when I tried to turn the bike on. My kill switch wasn't on. It just would work sometimes, and other times it wouldn't. When I went to pick up the bike today it worked, but later it wouldn't. I had to push the bike in gear to get it going. This might be related, my left turn signal just started doing something similar at around the same time. Id have the turn signal on, but it would light up once or twice and then 5-10 seconds later it would light up again only to stop again. Anyone know what could cause these problems?

Also, this might be related also, the guy who sold me the bike did something weird to cancel out the kicktstand kill. Now there is some stock connector with a pice of wire going from one side to another hanging from the side of my bike. And the gas tank light is always on now, which he blamed on the kill stand mod. Anyone know how I can fix that?

Ageispolis,
Check the connections at the battery terminals. Put the ignition in on ( engine not runing ) and move the cables while looking at the headlight beam against a wall.
Please tell us what model/year the bike is.
It`s not that easy to troubleshoot from here, but we will guide you to check the obvious before taking it to a shop.
JT

I've got kinda the same problem, no funky wiring mods though, fully charged battery, no other symptoms, just dosn't want to turn sometimes, and others fires right up.

I experienced the same problem with mine. After several months of trying to figure it out, it hit me. It was a very small gauge wire going into the starter solenoid. The connector did not have any means of retaining itself. It would simply back itself out...I put a zip tie on it and it's never given a problem since.

-Brad
'01 900ssie

I'm thinking it's got to be something loose somewhere, because if I shake/bounce it just right then it will start. I would have sworn I stared at it long enough this winter to fix everything.

check the small white plug on the solenoid between the battery wires, this is usually loose. also look under the rubber caps that cover the battery wires on the starter itself, the connections can corrode quite easliy.

Wow, you guys are so helpful, I am going to try every one of these suggestion tommarrow when I have time to look at the bike. Till then I will spend my time trying to figure out how to make other problems on the bike work out.
Thanks guys

I had EXACTLY the same problem. it was the starter solenoid. easy to check, hit the start button while holding the solenoid in your free hand and you should feel it click. if not, it or its connectors are dead. as an emergency measure (i was stranded) i laid a screw driver accross the two big terminals on the solenoid to spin the motor and start the bike. just be careful it doesnt get welded there!

Chris

that is one of the reasons why the starter solenoid is reversed on the 900FE. it makes it easier to check to see if that wire is out or not and easier to push back in. Nice incremental improvement!

Hey I wanted to thank you guys for the help. After a week of bad weather, I finally got a chance to drive out to where my bike is kept and take a look at it. It turned out t be the white connector. I fixed it, with your help. Thanks again guys, it is greatly appreciated.

-Dan