XJ700XNC starter circuit Problem PLEASE HELP!!

So I just bought a 1985 xj700 for cheap and knew it had a slight electrical problem... so I changed the battery and replaced the main fuse. This fixed it...sort of...

Now it turns on but when I turn the kill switch to on to try and start it, the bike continuously tries to start and does start but keeps trying. The only visible thing wrong I can see is a black wire connector under the seat by the battery looks pretty fried. Could that be it? I don't know what that wire goes to so it's hard for me to tell.

PLEASE help!! It's a beautiful bike and I just want to ride!

 

Re: Wierd Ghost Starting my Bike PLEASE HELP!!

If I'm understanding you correctly, whenever the ignition is on the starter turns without the button being pushed?

You do need to trace that ground wire and repair it. This has likely overheated from the excessive draw from the starter.

I'm not a mechanic but two things come to mind right away. There could be an internal problem in the starter causing it to stay engaged, or the start button on the handlebar could be stuck/shorted.

I'd disconnect the battery and pull apart the start switch on the handlebar to see if there are any problems with it. While you do that someone with more knowledge of the starter circuit will likely post to help you troubleshoot the rest of the circuit.

 

Re: Wierd Ghost Starting my Bike PLEASE HELP!!

Exactly...

Thanks for the input, I'm going to change out that connector and if that doesn't help, which it sounds like it won't, I'll take apart the starter switch.

Man it sucks having a new bike that you can't ride...

So I went out to check out the starter switch assembly and I don't know how I'm supposed to get it apart... The screws just bolt it to the handlebar, they don't hold the actual assembly together. Someone please tell me what to do, I'm getting frustrated... If pics will help I will take some pics.

 

Re: Wierd Ghost Starting my Bike PLEASE HELP!!

So the connector seems fine, i think it just got really hot and burned the plastic covering. Like Maximator said, the real problem probably caused it to overheat... I followed the wire and it goes to the starter and to the main wiring bundle that goes to the fuse box under the instrument panel. I can't see anything unusual except for that sort of burnt out M/F connector by the battery but I can't figure out how THAT would cause symptoms like this...

 

Re: Wierd Ghost Starting my Bike PLEASE HELP!!

The two screws come out of the bottom of the handle switch assembly, then the two halves will split apart. Check for piched/shorted wiring inside.

Check the starter solenoid also. It's the item that should turn on when the starter button is depressed. If the contacts have fused together it would act like the starter button is always depressed. The solenoid will have the main battery cable leading to one side of it and the other side will have a large cable going to the starter. The solenoid will also have a small wire plugging into it, this is the signal lead from the start button. If you disconnect the two large wires use an ohm meter to check for an open circuit between these two posts with the key off.

Hope this helps.

 

I just had a look in the service manual and it seems that there is a connector behind the headlight that should let you check the starter switch. Remove the headlight and look for a connector with a blue and a blue/white wire.

Undo that connector then insert the key and have the kill switch on (recreate the conditions where the starter has activated for you already) and see if it does the same thing. If the starter is not kicking in now it is the starter switch or the wiring to it that is causing your problem.

 

VICTORY!!!! I figured out what the problem was and it is stupid... The starter switch itself was a bit sticky and since I just got the bike I didn't know it was supposed to be out another mm or so, so basically it was just stuck there... stupid, but it's running at least.

The driveshaft is awesome!! So much nicer than my xs400 chain drive.

Now I just have to adjust the idle and I'm good to go! ...hopefully.

 

ok, so now it won't idle right. I've adjusted it and it just revs to whatever idle I put it at for a couple seconds then goes down to 1000 rpm and sputters out...

Should I just get a tune-up? Because other than that, and needing some more coolant, it runs perfect, I just have to give it a tiny bit of gas at stop lights to keep it from dying.

 

The engine idle speed should be 1050 rpm +/- 50 rpm.
How long has the bike been sitting without running?
The carbs possibly need to be taken apart and cleaned paying attention to the idle circuit.
The carbs probably need to be synced and the fuel mixture screws set.
You could have air leaking by the carb to cyl rubber boots.
You could have air leaking by the butterfly shaft seals.

 

Do you have fresh fuel in it? If not take off the tank and get all the crud out of it, then start over with fresh fuel and an inline filter.

You might want to try a seafoam treatment as well to get some of the build-up out of the carbs.

 

Just a point that might help. I've had 2 XJ's one 1982 xj750 I had for 2 years. Hadn't ridden since and bought a 1985 XJ700 with 2200 miles on it.

After some real tough cleaning of carbs and normal storage issues, tires and stuff....after getting it in riding condition in 2 months had starting issues....sometimes would and sometimes not......went through all the electrics and found nothing really wrong......then ckecked the starter continuity and found that the Aluminum body did not give a good ground....intermittent....

I took a fine bastard file and ground the sufaces on both the starter & engine points of starter body contact.....

Starts up strong now with no probs

 

look under your seat and make sure the air box doesn't have a nest in it and blow out or replace the air filter.