96 zx9r start issues : Kawasaki ZX Forums: Kawasaki Ninja Forum

asphaltalba · 09-20-2009, 10:02 AM

I went on a pretty long ride last sunday..anyway went to fill up at the last turnaround point filled up, hit start button..took off with kick start up..engine died..anyway oops ok hit start button again nothing..pulled clutch in start..nothing kick stand up..start..nothing..where do i start..is there any way to tell if the starter lockout switch has gone bad or kickstart safety lockout.. a lil help is much appreciated...also some wires were cut up i spliced em back together still no go...

Samsquanch · 09-20-2009, 11:43 PM

If I'm not mistaken there is a wire in the loom to the ecu that gives a ground to ecu when all dummy switches are good. I can't remember which one it is, but it was messing up on me too so I had it grounded till I replaced my fuse box. I'm going to be working on it in the next couple days, I'll get back to you if you don't have it sorted by then. Do you have a manual?

asphaltalba · 09-23-2009, 03:44 PM

yeah i have the manual...im going to dig into it this weekend..i can push start it pretty easy by myself, the on/off switch works for killing the engine..so thats ok..lights work..im pretty sure it has to be either the ignition key switch...(you have to jiggle it sometimes to get the key to switch on) or the starter lockout switch from clutch or maybe something to do with the kickstand..maybe i found the black/yellow wires that go into 1 but the ground/wire they broke off from i cant seem to find it..its in the harness by the headlight..

dendrite · 09-24-2009, 05:08 PM

First thing i would do is check its getting fuel . take the seat off and spin the tank round and take off one of the fuel pipes going to the carbs you should see a y split and two pipes going off to the carbs just take one pipe off and check the flow if nothing then its either the fuel pump or the fuel pump relay the pumps are a common fault if its ok take one of the plugs out and check for a spark . The other thing is the in line fuel filter check its not blocked . Also these bikes hate reserve . Just rememberd i had a fault with mine and that was a bad connection between the fuel pump relay and the fuel pump , follow the wires back from the pump and you will come across a connector wiggle the wires about and try if it fires up then its a new block connector this fault drove me bloody mad as it would fire up when left only to break down again . Also i would put in fresh petrol just incase its crap petrol you have got .

asphaltalba · 09-25-2009, 06:45 PM

it runs just fine...i just have to pop start it...i have a day off from work on sunday...i ordered a new wire harness, just cause the P.O. did some of his own work to the wires..if that doesnt help at all ill do the ignition cylinder..its kinda sticky..hopefully thats the prob..

Samsquanch · 09-25-2009, 11:35 PM

Sounds like a dummy switch problem, I'd not bother with the ignition, if I recall starter button gets power from the same place as the ignition red, so unless it's right at the button, or between the button and the solenoid. Have you tried monkeying with the solenoid, to check if it's getting a signal from the start button? Or to see if you could jump it and make the starter work? It might be as simple as cleaning contacts in the right bar harness plug and the plug that goes into the starter solenoid. I guess you'd know if the solenoid was not clicking, but could be jumped to engage starter, then for sure somewhere between starter button and solenoid, otherwise it's in the dummies. Mine had some P.O. "repairs" that gave me waaaay too much fun. Lots of those cheap crimped connectors that were poorly done, shorting out, or corroded. I got ahold of a clean unbutchered harness, but have yet to get it in there, waiting on some head work before it goes together.

asphaltalba · 09-27-2009, 06:50 PM

I ride w/o my instrument cluster due to ive converted my bike to streetfighter and like the way it looks w/o it...its legal here in nebraska to not need one..anyway....this is the "your a dumbass" thing i happened to do today..i figured id plug my cluster gauges back on and the neutral switch light does not come on...so this makes me believe that the neutral indicator switch has gone bad...........'dumbass moment' is the neutral indicator switch connected to any other safety lockout switches? do you know? i do strongly believe this may be the only problem...i dont know if i can even order that part new..maybe ebay... let you guys know whats goin on.

cecilm · 10-01-2009, 06:44 PM

it's right at the button, or between the button i have a 1997 zx900r and it did the sam thing the wires on the on and off button has came off the button you will have to get them solder them back on the button work for me .

Samsquanch · 10-03-2009, 10:12 AM

It's on the left side of the bike below the front sprocket. I'm thinking pale green wire, not sure if I remember correctly, but it's a single wire, just grounds when in N. The wire plugs on to the head of the switch below the front sprocket, then again in the harness under the tank, right beside the alternator plug. I'd clean contacts, and test with the gauges. Youre definately on the right track. HOWEVER..... you should be able to start with no N signal, so long as the clutch is in.... so check your clutch switch as well. Pull and clean CDI and Fuse box plugs, make sure nothing obvious is knackered there. Still have not ruled out starter signal from handlebar button? It might be as simple as a new starter relay, and these dummy switches never worked right to begin with. I have been so tempted to eliminate all dummies, just to prevent future headaches.