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Electrical issue.

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by dwatson636, Nov 23, 2009.

  1. dwatson636

    dwatson636 Member

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    Hi, 1982 XJ650J Maxim
    I have a bit of an electrical issue.
    A: my blinkers or slow, or stopped when I idle.
    B: When I flip my high beam on, the engine dies.

    I checked the output voltage. The book says 14.2 to 14.8 Volts.
    I am getting about 13.6 to 13.8 Volts

    I checked the alternator resistance.
    The book says 3.6 to 4.4 between the green and brown wires. I am getting 6.6
    And I am getting sporadic to no readings across the 3 white wires.

    Any idea what needs to be replaced? or checked?
    Thanks in advance.
    Dave
     
    dwatson636, Nov 23, 2009
    #1
  2. wizard

    wizard Active Member

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    Check the length of the brushes, the outside one wears twice as quick as the other.
     
    wizard, Nov 23, 2009
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  3. dwatson636

    dwatson636 Member

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    The brushes. In what, the alternator? Where and how do I do that?
    Thanks
    Dave
     
    dwatson636, Nov 23, 2009
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  4. wizard

    wizard Active Member

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    Take off the alternator cover (3 bolts) the brushes are fixed to the cover.
    While you are in there, pollish up the rotor with some 800 paper, then sloosh the whole thing out with electrical contact cleaner.
     
    wizard, Nov 23, 2009
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  5. dwatson636

    dwatson636 Member

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    OK, So on the left side there is a cover with three hex allen wrench screws. When I remove it, what specifically am I looking at the brushes for? Length, cleanliness??
    Sorry have not done anything with a bike for about 20 years.
    Thanks
    Dave
     
    dwatson636, Nov 23, 2009
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  6. dwatson636

    dwatson636 Member

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    OK, so I took off the cover and measured the brushes. Not what I expected them to look like. They were 11 cm. The rotor was pretty dirty, so I shined it up and since I did not have electrical cleaner, I sprayed some wd40 on a rag and wiped it clean. Put it all back together and presto 14.26 volts at 2000 rpm. When the weekend comes, I will get some electrical cleaner and open it up again and clean it a little better. But I ride it to work everyday and needed to fix it tonight.
    Thanks for all the great help.
    A little at a time and I won't feel to bad opening this stuff up.
    Dave
     
    dwatson636, Nov 23, 2009
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  7. WesleyJN1975

    WesleyJN1975 Member

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    Are you sure that first XJ you had wasn't a 550 beings it was chain drive?
     
    WesleyJN1975, Nov 23, 2009
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  8. Robert

    Robert Active Member

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    11cm??? I do hope you miss-typed. Should be 11mm.
    Additionally, you will find that the alternator does not kick in until you reach about 1800rpm. Ergo the blinkers won't cycle until the added current is available (you are running on the battery until then).
     
    Robert, Nov 24, 2009
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  9. dwatson636

    dwatson636 Member

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    Sorry Yes it was 11mm. Everything seemed to go OK on the ride to and from work.
    As far as my 82 650 with chain drive. It has been 20 years, but I do believe it was a 650 maxim with chain drive.
     
    dwatson636, Nov 24, 2009
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  10. Robert

    Robert Active Member

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    One way to eliminate all doubt concerning your 650 chain drive Maxim, post the first 5 or so digits of your VIN. Might be hard since you sold it years ago but it would be the definitive evidence. To my knowledge, there was no XJ 650 chain drive Maxim made.
     
    Robert, Nov 24, 2009
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  11. dwatson636

    dwatson636 Member

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    Interesting
     
    dwatson636, Nov 25, 2009
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  12. Gamuru

    Gamuru Guest

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    If the electrical issues persist while at idle you may need a new battery. Have it load-tested to check its condition.
     
    Gamuru, Nov 25, 2009
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