betty is dead.....now what?

ok so i bought a brank spankin new battery....charged it up over night....walked out this morning.....hit start and........nothing.......just that same single "click" coming from under the seat each time i push the start button........guessing i need to take out starter now and have it tested/rebuilt........anyone know exactly where its located and easiest way to get it out?....its a 1982 xj550 maxim.....thanks.....

 

Who's Betty? I would recheck the battery cable connections then as you said remove the starter and take to be tested. It sound like a starter solenoid or a winding flat spot to me. With the bike in gear try rocking the bike forward while trying to start it. If it's a flat spot on the winding you may rock to a point of a good contact. Make sure the clutch lever is handy in case it does start.

 

Solenoid Mostlikely the problem, Jumper it out with a screw driver and see if the starter spins. You can take the solenoid apart and file the points but I would look for a new one if thats the problem.

 

I would have thought that if your hearing the click, that the solenoid may be ok....

check out this page to test your starter circuit...good luck!!

http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=7828.html

Just bought an XJ last week and christened her Betty!

 

After trying these good idea's add where you are in the world to your profile.Could be you have a freind willing to lend a hand or spare part down the street or around the corner.