Irregular starting issue (I will pay in craft beer or bacon)

Hello hopefully fellow Michiganders. I finally got my first bike. I was really excited about it, but it has been anything but reliable. It has some kind of electrical problems, and I am unable to get it started. Is anyone form here handy, or know of anyone in the area? Thanks in advance. In the mean time I will keep leafing through the owners manual.

 

Read This First

 

To describe my problem a bit more: My bike was running fine, as soon as I put on my left blinker, everything shut off (not sure if it was related, it may have just been a timing coincidence). No engine, no lights, nothing. It seems that there is zero electricity as the (solenoid?) no longer clicks under the seat when I switch it to run. (if this theory is flawed let me know, this is based on my googling). I tried cleaning the terminals, and I replaced the battery and the starter solenoid relay. Before this, I have had it in the past where I press the starter and nothing happens, as well as some clicking but not enough to get the engine to turn over (like not enough power). This was a very sporadic problem, it might work fine for a week, then nothing for 2 days, then fine again. I have a multimeter and an owners manual, but to be honest I'm not really sure what I should even be looking for.

 

Is the fuse box original?

 

I just got to that part of the guide (extremely helpful, thank you so much). Yes it is still the original fuse box. I just read that it is highly recommended to replace. I'm sure I am simply not looking in the right spot, but is there a modern replacement that I would be able to pick up from an autoparts store?

 

A bit further own in the DYI section you will find:

Your Fuse Box -- A Ticking Bomb??? By: Rick Massey

and

HOW TO: Install an aftermarket fuse box

 

Sounds like you blew the main fuse. But it could also be that your battery was on lots last legs/your system isn't charging the battery/ and turning on the blinkervused up whatever charge was still there.

Check your main fuse, and check the battery. If the fuse is blown, time to look for a short circuit .

 

clean the run switch electric cleaner and dielectric grease
run switch can give sporadic voltage to tci and solinoid

 

I'm in Ann Arbor, but I have 0 experience w/ electrical :/
Good luck! If you don't get the answer in this thread try searching/posting in technical chat.

 

we have a thread for every thing

How to Use a Multimeter and Read Schematics and Wiring Diagrams.

 

A quick apology to all those who gave advice: Life has thrown a couple curve balls at me, so I have yet to be able to really sit down and find the root of the problem. I am in no way ignoring all you helpful people. I plan to update with my findings this weekend.

 

Life > tinkering.
Take care of the important stuff first.

 

Alright I finally have an update. It seems that there was some home made wiring done by the previous owner. So, I replaced all the fuses, one of which was the main fuse (even though it looked in working order) as suggested in this thread, and electricity was returned. But with one problem down, there is always another that follows (If I need to move this thread else where, let me know).

It intermittently has starting issues. One morning it may start right up, and the next morning it will not seem to be able to catch enough (apologies for my poor description). The starter motor is working, and there is spark, as it may begin to run, but only for a moment. Here is a video I took which I thought would do a much better job than my uneducated description.



I do have a frayed wire on the starting/ignition cut-off/ neutral safety relay (located under the tank with 2 red and white wires, blue wire, and a black and yellow wire.) Pictures here (http://imgur.com/a/gGvmM) Is it possible to replace just the blue wire, or do I have to replace the whole harness? I was hoping that I could pull out the blue wire out of the plastic, strip it, and splice in new good wire, but I did not want to make it worse and simply have it taped at the moment. I didn't know if this would effect the charging loop, or hinder starting processes.

I just want to say that I appreciate to have such helpful community, as well as all the helpful resources.

 

One of us moderator type people can move it to technical chat if you'd like.

My today was like a third Monday, so I can't be of much help until tomorrow. That sky-blue wire is really important, so fixing it need to happen. I don't think that you'll need a whole new harness.

 

Nah I can do it. Get some rest. And thanks again.

 

My XJ650 has irregular starting issues. One morning it may start right up, and the next morning it will not seem to be able to catch enough (apologies for my poor description). The starter motor is working, and there is spark, as it may begin to run, but only for a moment. Here is a video I took which I thought would do a much better job than my uneducated description.


I do have a frayed wire on the starting/ignition cut-off/ neutral safety relay (located under the tank with 2 red and white wires, blue wire, and a black and yellow wire.) Pictures here (http://imgur.com/a/gGvmM) I didn't know if this would effect the charging loop, or hinder starting processes. Is it possible to replace just the blue wire, or do I have to replace the whole harness? I was hoping that I could pull out the blue wire out of the plastic, strip it, and splice in new good wire, but I did not want to make it worse and simply have it taped at the moment.

Thanks for looking, and I'm glad to have such a knowledgeable community to turn to.

 

Are the strands of the wire broken? If no, then the tape should be ok , , , but that is me talking.

Check battery voltage standing and when cranking.

EDIT - just looked at the link to pictures. That should be replaced, someone with electrical mojo should be able to tell you the best way to do that. Sorry it's just not my 'thing'.

 

Thanks for the help. It is a brand new battery so I can rule that part out I think, would the standing and cranking voltage tell me more than just battery condition?

 

Thanks for the help. It is a brand new battery so I can rule that part out I think, would the standing and cranking voltage tell me more than just battery condition?

 

Move the thread? No you can't