Electrical Problems

I was riding my XJ550 Maxim today and was caught in a torrential downpour. Unfortunately, that wasn't the least of my problems. I stopped to dry off, and when I went to restart my bike, I noticed that I had no power, (lights, horn, etc). I turned key off and on a couple of times and was able to finally get the neutral light to show. The bike started and I headed for home (in the rain).

Once home, I turned off the bike. I tried to start the bike and same issues.. No electrical power. I haven't been able to get the bike started yet (still no power).

I checked the battery, and it's pulling 12.85 volts across the terminals. The fuses also all checked out ok. Any ideas?

Looks like the rain really kicked my butt today.

Scott

 

Me too Me too

First happened when I left work into a thick fog. Bike wouldn't start; got a click like a dead battery. I tried to catch it on the clutch, and it was like a switch was flicked. I just pushed the button then and drove home. Next day (sunny 8) ) no problem. Next time it rained while I was at work, same thing. Last night, same again - yeah, it's been wet here! Now today, after lots of dry-out time, same problem, only no rain. But same cure - just give it enough of a push to catch the clutch, then the starter works fine.

I'm thinking stuck starter, because it will catch, but could it be a weird start button?

 

No Go for me. I tried as you described and still the same issue. I do recall the click-click-click noise as if a dead battery once when I was trying to get this puppy going again.

What I am still confused about is why would there be no power to the lights and horn. How are their lack of electricity and the starter related?

 

that's the weird bit, 'cause once I give it a nudge on the clutch, lights and everything fire up. It's gotta be a wet switch - but which switch?

 

The head light won't get power until it has started. The horn - should have power all the time?

Moisture across switches is something to check into... there is special grease that is water repelling for this application... dialectric? can't spell today.

I also had my solinoid rattle loose before - after pushing it back into place it would fire right up. (looking at the battery it is the small cup sized round part on the left hand side... push it in)

It doesn't sound like plug wires - but they have been an issue for other riders in the past. Wet plug wires can arc - reducing the heat of the spark. No spark no go. This doesn't sound like that because you say it clicks but doesn't turn over.

So I'd start at the side stand and clutch switches. Unlikely the neutral switch as that is internal - correct?

 

Could be the starter brushes too.
But I don't understand why if it was that, that it would be affected by water.
Probably not the trouble but if you don't find anything else, it's worth taking a look.
Just my $.02 cents
Good luck

 

Maybe try the sidestand switch? Mine went out last year, I traced the wires under the seat and put a jumper on them to eliminate the switch. She fires right up now. Just be careful if you do that and remember that the bike will start with the kickstand down in this case.

 

And another thing, you can use silicone grease for the electrical connections. I use clear brake caliper lube.

 

Woot, Graves, your both on the right track. Dielectric grease or silicone grease would be an excellent insulator to prevent water intrusion. SPG 500, you may have to pull a few of your connectors apart and blow them out with air or WD40 to clear this issue. Good luck, it may take some time and while your at it, pack the connector with the grease mentioned above.

 

Thanks for all of your suggestions. I finally got a chance tonight to look things over. I decided to start with the basics. I mentioned that I had 12.85 volts across the terminals with a meter. However, that was under no-load. I did the test again, and watched what happened when I turned on the ignition. Guess what...it dropped to less than 1 volt. I pulled the battery, charged it for an hour, and bingo, the bike runs.

So either the battery is about shot (not sure of how old it is), or the charging circuit is not working. Any ideas on how to test that?

 

MULTIMETER across batt terminals and look at it [12v+/-] , start bike and rev to 2000 look at multimeter and should read more [14v +/-] , dat meens tis charging at least but if da battry is no good it wont hold a charge....

 

Your battery is dying, time to replace it.

 

I wonder what the fluid level is in the battery... when it gets low the battery can do weird things. Probably time for a new battery anyhow. Take it to a store that does free load testing.

 

Still suffering :cry: Now can't even get it to catch on the clutch, in the dry.

Battery showing good charge, but no horn or so much as a click from starter. (Could battery still be culprit even tho charge good?)

Have tried bypassing the ignition switch - meter shows 12 volts from red to brown wire, but getting nothing when I put a wire across the two terminals. Have checked the rest of the forum (searched 'short circuit') but nothing jumped out at me, except maybe starter relay.

 

KBSimNL, it is possible to show 12 volts on the battery but it still be bad. Current is paramount for anything to work. You need to get the battery load tested. You can do a quick check of the battery if you pull your starter )or your spare if you have one) and jump the starter directly on the battery. If it spins, your battery has sufficient capacity to function. If not, your battery is dead and must be replaced before anything will work correctly. Otherwise, pull the battery and take it in to a garage or parts supply store and have them load test it.

 

Also one can short the 2 large teminals with a screwdriver on the starter relay , that will at least tell you if the starter moter and battery is ok [if it turns ok]

 

Guys, check the ground strap between your negative battery terminal and the engine block. Exact same thing happened to me. I tore the starter apart, changed out the starter solenoid, cleaned allthe wiring and greased all the contacts & connections. Guess which one was the last one? - The one with the bolt turned out an eighth of an inch and the strap making intermittent contact. Everyrhing has been fine since I added lock washer.

 

Found my trouble - in two spots. Thanks to those who suggested battery, it was dead. Replacing that gave me a chance to hear the click of the relay while I was fiddling behind the headlight. That isolated the blue wire on the female side of the ignition switch connection. Problem solved :mrgreen: