Go Back   GZ 250 Forums > GZ250-Specific > Instructional Articles

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 10-27-2015, 08:54 AM   #1
ShellyNix
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 7
Won't Start: Diagnosing the issue

Hey guys,

New here and new to the GZ world in general. Bought the 250 (2005) from a guy who owns a riding school. A few scratches here and there but I tested it twice and it ran fine both times. Let it sit in my garage for a couple days, wouldn't start last night. Sounded like it was having trouble turning over a few times, then the fourth press of the engine start button, no noise (light clicking but no sound from the engine). Lights all still work, but horn all of a sudden does not. When I press the horn the lights flicker but I get no sound. Here's where my being new comes into play. I think I may have left the choke down for the two days between when I bought it and when I tried to start it again. I bought I spark plug socket and will try to pull it out tonight. I also bought a battery charger, though I am having a hard time finding a place to charge since I live in a condo building (on the marble floor of the lobby maybe?). And to add to the issues, this morning when I went to look at it, I noticed a black tar on the left side of the engine.

Please let me know if anyone has had similar problems. I would really like to get this thing running shortly.



Login or Register to Remove Ads
ShellyNix is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2015, 01:19 PM   #2
Fawlty
Senior Member
 
Fawlty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Murcia, Spain
Posts: 683
Welcome to the forum, which, in my view, is one of the best motorcycle forums on the net.

Start with the battery. Whether or not you are having difficulties charging, take it to a local shop, you should be able to get it load tested for free. Don't worry about the choke. When you say a black tar, do you mean an oil stain?

Others more knowledgeable will be along to assist further.
__________________
"It begins here for me on this road. How the whole mess happened I don't know, but I know it couldn't happen again in a million years."

(Johnny Strabbler-The Wild One 1953)
Fawlty is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2015, 02:11 PM   #3
Vegas Street Rider
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Henderson, NV
Posts: 1,087
Start with the battery first. Have it tested. It is usually free. If you have the budget, I would recommend a lithium ion battery. It has the highest cranking amps of all the batteries I have used. It also will not lose it's charge as fast as the others. Runs about $100. If not, a standard battery will do for about $55.00 bucks. Not sure about the black tar you mentioned. Oil leak?



Login or Register to Remove Ads
Vegas Street Rider is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2015, 04:26 PM   #4
ShellyNix
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 7
Thanks for the help guys . I am going to charge it now. Will let you know how it works out. Others have advised against charging the battery inside. I don't have a lot of options, is it that bad?
ShellyNix is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2015, 04:30 PM   #5
blaine
Senior Member
 
blaine's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: P.E.I. Canada
Posts: 3,784
Quote:
Originally Posted by ShellyNix View Post
Thanks for the help guys . I am going to charge it now. Will let you know how it works out. Others have advised against charging the battery inside. I don't have a lot of options, is it that bad?
It's o.k. to charge inside .Just keep it away from heat sources & sparks.
__________________
If at first you do succeed, try not to look surprised.





Login or Register to Remove Ads
blaine is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2015, 06:24 PM   #6
ShellyNix
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 7
Thanks. The general consensus from my google search was that it would immediately explode when I plugged it in inside my apartment.
ShellyNix is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2015, 07:57 PM   #7
blaine
Senior Member
 
blaine's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: P.E.I. Canada
Posts: 3,784
Quote:
Originally Posted by ShellyNix View Post
Thanks. The general consensus from my google search was that it would immediately explode when I plugged it in inside my apartment.
Nope....If you can give it a little ventilation near a window......even better.
__________________
If at first you do succeed, try not to look surprised.


blaine is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2015, 09:50 PM   #8
ShellyNix
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 7
Quote:
Originally Posted by blaine View Post
Nope....If you can give it a little ventilation near a window......even better.
You guys were right! Charged it and it started right up. Had to leave the choke all the way down for about five minutes before I could put it in first gear without stalling.

Thanks for the help guys! I'm really glad I found this forum.

Last edited by ShellyNix; 10-28-2015 at 08:28 AM.
ShellyNix is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 10-28-2015, 03:19 PM   #9
Vegas Street Rider
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Henderson, NV
Posts: 1,087
Glad you got it resolved. I would replace the plug just so you start fresh. Also, lube and adjust the chain, lube the cables, etc. Lots of how to info on this site and on the net if you need additional help. Welcome to the forum
Vegas Street Rider is offline  
Reply With Quote
Old 10-29-2015, 11:36 AM   #10
ShellyNix
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 7
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vegas Street Rider View Post
Glad you got it resolved. I would replace the plug just so you start fresh. Also, lube and adjust the chain, lube the cables, etc. Lots of how to info on this site and on the net if you need additional help. Welcome to the forum
Thanks. I'm replacing the plug today and I will take your advice on the chain and cables.
ShellyNix is offline  
Reply With Quote
Reply



Tags
battery, engine, problem, spark, starting

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:44 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.