Tonight I went to start my 650 maxim and it started right up as usual. Then all of a sudden my headlight got really bright and went out, followed by my neutral light and my dash lights. Then the bike just shut off. Now when you hit the starter button there is nothing and no lights or anything. The battery is fully charged and the main fuse in the fuse box is getting voltage with the key on. None of the other fuses are blown. Is this a short of some sort or is there a voltage regulator that could have gone bad? I am at a loss. Any ideas would be a great help. Thanks.

Also, If anyone has a copy of a wiring diagram for an '82 XJ650 Maxim they could send me that would help greatly. I don't have a shop manual for my bike currently. chump188@hotmail.com. Thanks in advance. Trav.

I don't know what the problem is. It sounds like the volatge regulator too me. But I can help you with the electrical diagram go here: XJ Electrical diagrams

Dave has the diagram you'd like.

Cya,
Chris

Thanks for the link. Well, I solved some of the problems tonight. It turns out that the main fuse in the fuse box was burned even though it looked fine. I replaced it and was able to get the bike started. The headlight and taillights are burned out now though. The voltage spike problem didn't occur again but the fuse for the turn signals burns everytime you turn the key on, so there is a short in that line somewhere. I also noticed that my alternator is putting out a little too much charge but this could be do to resistance in the bad circuit. Tomorrow I will start going through the turn signal line looking for problems.

I think you have a duff voltage regulator. When it went on my GS550E it took out every single bulb on the bike. When I took it off, it had blown a hole right through the epoxy potting material when it went.

Well, I think I solved the problem. The first thing I tried was unplugging the harness to the regulator and then replacing the fuse. It didn't blow. So now I assume the regulator was the problem all along. Then when I plug the harness back in, guess what, it still didn't blow. It could be that there was corrosion in the harness and pulling it apart fixed the problem...strange. I still may replace the regulator to be on the safe side. BTW, can anyone tell me how to get to the bulbs for your warning lights. My neutral light is blown and needs a new bulb.

My mistake, problem is still here. The fuse blew again. I found a corroded connector on my voltage regulator that was causing my over charging but the turn signal fuse is still blowing. I went through and disconnected every switch and connector I could find on that circuit and nothing fixed the short. I am at a loss now.

The wire leading to your turnsignal is likely chafed, and is running straight to ground instead of through the bulb. This will result in a very large current passing through the wire, which, of course, blows your fuse. Look for any worn insulation on the wire. Likely shorts are found wherever, the wire has a bend, or whever it passes through a fitting, or a grommet, and is subject to wearing against an edge of some kind. Do not forget the age old problem of water inside the turnsignal. Supplying power to that signal will result in a short circuit, since the water will provide a much lower resistance path to ground than the light bulb filament will.

Now the problem is really fixed, for sure. I ended up having to pull the tank so I could check all of the connections and relays under there. Sure enough, when I unplugged the self cancel relay for the turn signals, the short was fixed. I don't ever use the self cancel thing, I always do it myself on the switch so problem fixed. Thanks for the help guys.