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Maxim X -Motor turns, Sparks but wont START..SOLVED HOORAY..

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by littlegiant, Sep 22, 2009.

  1. littlegiant

    littlegiant Member

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    This 1985 Maxim X sat for 2 years. It always started with clutch in and sidestand up (suspect neutral switch/safety circuit). Neutral light stays off all time.
    Things Done so far,
    All Connectors incl plug caps air blown and dielectric greased
    New Unifilter (foam/oiled)/New Battery/New gasoline
    Coolant flushed/changed
    Carbs taken apart n cleaned all ports and passages with Carb cleaner n air gun. Carb 4 pilot jet buggerd left it alone. All enrichment pistons were not cleaned as dont hav the right tool - slide bar on the way.
    Clunk tested, bench sync`d.
    pilot screws 3 turns out.
    Boots were hardened to airbox hence replaced with plumbing boots from HD Nice snug fit - No leaks.

    WHEN I PUT BACK THE CLEAN CARBS IT ONLY TURNS N PLUG SPARKS, BUT WONT FIRE. PRIMED FOR ALMOST A MIN SAW LOTS OF GAS GO IN N FINALLY STOP. BIKE USED TO START ALWAYS BUT WAS SLUGGISH DUE TO SEAFOAM WORKING ON VARNISH BUILDUP. IT HAS IRIDIUM PLUGS
    ----- -THE BIKE RAN WELL BEFORE ADDING SEAFOAM --
     
    littlegiant, Sep 22, 2009
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  2. mcrwt644

    mcrwt644 Member

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    Re: Maxim X -Motor turns, Sparks but wont START..NEED HELP P

    Do you have spark on all four plugs?
    I didn't see that you replaced the plugs? I've had bikes with good spark, but won't fire because the plugs were fouled so badly.
    Is the battery sitting at 12.5 volts idle, as in nothing turned on?
    Will it start on starting fluid/carb cleaner?
    Do you have fuel in the bowls?
    You starting it with the choke on?
    I just had a bike give me fits if I tried to start it with the choke on. Started fine without it.
    Did you clean the fuel enrichment circuit screws? the little screws in front of the carb body just behind the intake boot. Do you have all the wires on the correct plugs?
    Is the main ground making good contact? it's right above the thermostat if I am not mistaken. Get back with the answers, I'll keep watching this thread, also, maybe Designer Mike might know something
     
    mcrwt644, Sep 22, 2009
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  3. littlegiant

    littlegiant Member

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    Re: Maxim X -Motor turns, Sparks but wont START..NEED HELP PLEAS

    Thanks mcrwt, I checkd only the plug1 tommorw i will check other plugs too. the wires are connectd right. If the bike started b4 carb haul with same plugs why not now.? I will also check batt volt and volt at plug wires tommorw. I never tried starter fluid..am think of push starting tommow..IS IT A GOOD IDEA.? When i pulled carbs again today to clean the holes in the bowl because some thread said thats for the choke circuit..that time i saw gas filled on all bowls. I tried without choke, with choke, with prime..what not..!! I will also check the ground wire...is the thermostat right below the gas tank with coolant tubes going in..??
    Oh by the way if you are talking about pilot screws, yes i cleand them all except 4 whch was buggered.
     
    littlegiant, Sep 22, 2009
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  4. helmet

    helmet Member

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    Re: Maxim X -Motor turns, Sparks but wont START..NEED HELP PLEAS

    first, ditch the iridium plugs. they require way too much energy to get a good clean burn from them. the coils on these just do not have the ooomph to burn as hot as they should. hence, possibly not enough spark to fire.

    if you really want to see if it's your battery, hook a set of cables to your UNSTARTED car and crank it. see it fires. these are picky lil boogers about voltage.

    if it were a safety device (sidestand) or switch (neutral) it wouldnt turn over at all.
     
    helmet, Sep 22, 2009
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  5. helmet

    helmet Member

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    Re: Maxim X -Motor turns, Sparks but wont START..NEED HELP PLEAS

    oh, stupid question... are the wires on correctly?
    I know, it seems to insult some people asking silly things, but its easier to fix that than to go hunting for a larger problem that doesnt exist
     
    helmet, Sep 22, 2009
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  6. littlegiant

    littlegiant Member

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    Re: Maxim X -Motor turns, Sparks but wont START..NEED HELP P

    Thnks helmet, I never fiddled with wires since i first cleaned n installed them proper. I will doubleck tommrw anyways. Is it safe to push start...will it do any damage to piston/rings..??
     
    littlegiant, Sep 22, 2009
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  7. littlegiant

    littlegiant Member

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    Re: Maxim X -Motor turns, Sparks but wont START..NEED HELP PLEAS

    Again how do you check the voltage on the plug..Is the outer thread to be ground(black wire on meter) and inner electrode to the red.?
     
    littlegiant, Sep 22, 2009
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  8. SQLGuy

    SQLGuy Well-Known Member

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    Re: Maxim X -Motor turns, Sparks but wont START..NEED HELP PLEAS

    NO!

    You can't check ignition secondary voltage with a multimeter. The spark is anywhere from 15 to 40 thousand volts. It will kill most meters stone dead instantly.

    The only thing you can do without very specialized equipment is look at the color and density of the spark. You want a good, thick, bright blue/white spark.
     
    SQLGuy, Sep 22, 2009
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  9. helmet

    helmet Member

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    Re: Maxim X -Motor turns, Sparks but wont START..NEED HELP PLEAS

    you can push start it... I did that to my bike a lot when I didnt have a working solenoid.
     
    helmet, Sep 23, 2009
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  10. mcrwt644

    mcrwt644 Member

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    Re: Maxim X -Motor turns, Sparks but wont START..NEED HELP P

    Helmet, I have iridium plugs in mine and she goes just fine. Also, if the sidestand relay was bad, it would still turn, just no fire. My 86 that you were contemplating (which is sold, thankfully) actually ran without the side stand relay plugged in. Try that with my 85 and you're walking.

    The idle fuel screws are on the outside of the carb, directly beind the intake boots. They should be set to roughly 2.5 turns from bottom. The pilot jets are inside the carb body, under the bowl right next to the mains. Have you tried new ngk boots? I'd maybe take a pair of cutters and take some of the wire end off and reinstert the boots. Make sure you have good wire and good contact there.

    Check ALL of your plugs to make sure they are firing (ok, make sure there is spark on all wires)
     
    mcrwt644, Sep 23, 2009
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  11. helmet

    helmet Member

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    Re: Maxim X -Motor turns, Sparks but wont START..NEED HELP PLEAS

    mcrwt644-
    if he has a weak charge, he wouldnt generate enough juice to spark those plugs. stock plugs are a little more forgiving than others.
     
    helmet, Sep 23, 2009
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  12. mcrwt644

    mcrwt644 Member

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    Re: Maxim X -Motor turns, Sparks but wont START..NEED HELP P

    yep, you're right. Hope he updates this, I love helping on the x models.
     
    mcrwt644, Sep 23, 2009
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  13. dawsoner

    dawsoner Member

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    Re: Maxim X -Motor turns, Sparks but wont START..NEED HELP PLEAS

    An engine needs three things to fire:
    1. Air
    2. Fuel
    3. Spark

    If your air intake isn't absurdly clogged and you are getting a spark that points to fuel. I would start by looking into fuel level.
     
    dawsoner, Sep 23, 2009
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  14. littlegiant

    littlegiant Member

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    Re: Maxim X -Motor turns, Sparks but wont START..NEED HELP PLEAS

    HHOOOOOOOORRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYY
    It finally started and runs like a charm..able to idle at 1K. Throttle very responsive. Took for a spin and just love the way it sounds and behaves.
    All efforts seem to be paying and thanks to all of you.
    I went and bought NGK D8RESL $20 and installed, could not spray carb cleaner(instead of starter fluid)at intake due depth and can wasnt having enought pressure..managed to do on 1 and 4. Tried firing but no luck.
    I decided to take carb off to clean long brass tube that comes up to enrichment with wire..but before that i said i will clean the Ground wire below the tank as a last try. Did that and there SHE JUMPED OUT OF BED.
    I had left the pilot screws at 3 n 1/2 turns out..will check plugs tomorw n see if they are rich..It has a 4 in to 1 Hindle.
    Check the link to see how beautiful she is NOW..carb pictures on album too.
    http://picasaweb.google.ca/yamahalowrider/MaximX#
     
    littlegiant, Sep 23, 2009
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  15. mcrwt644

    mcrwt644 Member

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    Re: Maxim X -Motor turns, Sparks but wont START..SOLVED HOOR

    Very happy for you. Good to see her cleaned up too. I'd try to find a stock exhaust for that thing. I'm thinking that the mixture screws at 3.5 out is a bit much. I'd have another set of plugs ready in case these foul. Good on ya!
     
    mcrwt644, Sep 23, 2009
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  16. littlegiant

    littlegiant Member

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    Re: Maxim X -Motor turns, Sparks but wont START..SOLVED HOOR

    Thanks mcrw..but u know what..i have stock on XJ700 aircooled so i know how it sound, now this Hindle is a more throaty n i like it...I need not have changed the plugs i guess..the iridium are still with me in case the new plugs foul.. Thanks again.
     
    littlegiant, Sep 24, 2009
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  17. mcrwt644

    mcrwt644 Member

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    Re: Maxim X -Motor turns, Sparks but wont START..SOLVED HOOR

    Is that your 86 xj700 in the background of the one picture? she looks nice. I'm a stock freak when it comes to these bikes, don't mind me...
     
    mcrwt644, Sep 24, 2009
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  18. littlegiant

    littlegiant Member

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    Re: Maxim X -Motor turns, Sparks but wont START..SOLVED HOOR

    Yes thats right, I just love the stock look too. Check out the youtube link in the signature thou its no close to real.
     
    littlegiant, Sep 24, 2009
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  19. littlegiant

    littlegiant Member

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    Took Maxim X on the HWY but was gentle at 120kph about 6k rpm mark..she runs beautiful..in the city traffic she sounds like a STICK acura or civic modified with performance exhaust...I JUST LOVE IT.
    Oh by the way fuel light came up and off the hwy got to reserve..Petcock works !!! I am glad.
     
    littlegiant, Sep 24, 2009
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