Some places to check:
1.See if the battery cables are clean and tight, if either cable feels "Crunchy" when flexed, it's time to replace the cables as they have corrosion inside the insulation.Sometimes the crimped terminal lugs will show corrosion too.
2.Look at the ground connection on the engine mounting bolt for signs of corrosion or looseness.
3.From the starter solenoid, a cable goes to the starter motor, check the termination on the motor for tightness and it should have no corrosion either.
It's very easy to determine if the problem is the battery cables or the starter motor. Here's information about the motor's rebuild kits:
Starter Motor Rebuild Kits
www.mawonline.com/newsite/rick_s_motorsp...-starter_brushes.htm
www.cyclewareables.com/pages/street_star...kits/startmtrkit.htm
(not sure if website is viable)
www.psep.biz/store/mitsuba_starter_motors_page_2.htm
Sometimes the starter solenoid has an internal failure,and only by replacing it can you fix the problem.
Here's a troubleshooting procedure:
Starter Solenoid/Motor Checkout Procedure
Some simple steps to determine what is working and what's not:
1.Fully charge and test the battery(most bike shops can load test the battery, and then use a floating ball hydrometer to check specific gravity in the charged cells).
2.Clean all battery terminals of corrosion.
3.Tighten all starting related connections(Positive RED(+) battery terminal, Negative BLACK(-)terminal) and from the terminal to the engine case. All connections must be clean and tight.
4.Clean the cable from the starter solenoid to the starter motor.
5.Clean and check the "bullet connectors" going to the coil side of the starter solenoid.
6.Try again to start the bike, keep in mind some Kawasaki’s have a clutch interlock to prevent cranking the engine while it’s in gear, so the clutch lever must be squeezed.
7.If no luck, go to step #8
8.Wearing eye protection, bridge with pliers or a screwdriver the two heavy duty(large)terminals on the solenoid. If the bike cranks, your solenoid may be bad.
9. If the starter won’t turn over, one of several things has happened; The starter motor has seized due to brushes binding up, lack of lubrication in the bushings of the motor, the battery is weak , the engine has seized or it could be a combination of any of the above. Some websites for starter motor rebuild kits are:
10.The dealer may want $$$ for a new solenoid, but take your old one along and visit the nearest riding lawn mower shop. They have solenoids for about $15 that with a little work will fit. Be aware that the new solenoid from the lawn mower shop may require a ground wire for it to work.
11. I’d recommend upgrading from the existing battery cables to at least 6 gauge welding cables.
They are available in two colors(RED and BLACK) have more flexibility due to being constructed with finer conductors, and will fit in tighter areas.
12. The welding cable is sold by the foot, so take careful measurements or bring your old cables along. Most battery shops might be able to supply the cable too, so call to find out. The battery shop should be able to crimp/swage on the end of the welding cable the terminal ends or lugs using either a dedicated crimping machine or a tool that looks like a bolt cutter that has special dies to terminate the cable.
