Electric start does not start

So I've been riding this bike for a few weeks and had no issues. Ride to work any day the weather permits, just went for about an hour and a half ride with a friend 2 days ago. Sometimes a bit cold blooded in the AM but once it's running it runs strong. Today I hopped on to ride to work, it started right up. Get about half way to work and it started sputtering like it was out of fuel. Flipped to reserve and it picked back up a bit but then died out again. After completely dying I check and have half a tank of fuel. Attempt to start it back up and the electric start button does nothing at all. It acts as if the key isn't even on or kill switch is off. I tried pop starting it 3 times and got nothing(motor makes some rumbling but cuts right out). I just picked up a fuel filter to change that. But I'm confused how it has run fine up until this point and now it's dead.

 

'82 XJ550 incase that matters

 

does it make a click noise at all aparently side kick stand safety swith and neutral safety switch can play up sometimes if its not them you might want to check your coils considering it cut out whilst riding and whatever contitutes as a cdi unit on the xj i heard someone refer to it b4 but forgot what they call it on these bikes definately check the side stand safety switch 1st though

 

No clicking no nothing when you hit the start button

 

simplist thing 1st would be to check and fiddle with your fuses aparently the old fuse boxes are tempramental i dont know all that much about them but thats the 1st place i fiddle with if somethings going wrong then clean some grounds up and of course make sure your batteries charged with clean connections ...anway the pros will proberly answer you soon but fiddling with the fuses is quick easy

 

I suspect that you haven't done anything yet to catch up on all the undone maintenance, otherwise you's not be stuck with an inop machine.

The first suspect with any electrical problem is the battery (even if it is brand-new), followed by the fusebox (particularly the fuse clips in the factory fusebox, which embrittle and crack).

The petcock (if original) is vacuum operated, and vacuum line has a lifespan. Cracks or holes in the vacuum line, or vacuum diaphram in the petcock, will cause fuel flow from the tank to be shut off.

Check those things, then have a good-long read about what you ought to do so you don't get stranded again (and don't have to chase your tail solving problems).
The Information Overload Hour

 

Three years ago my '83 xj550 began sputtering and then finally died at an intersection - I had owned it since it was new. Problem tracked down to the fuse box. That began an oddysey over two summers of doing years of neglected maintenance, using the information and resources from this site (esp. Chacal for parts). Now my bike is running like a swiss watch.

Enjoy.

 

The neutral light wouldn't come on if it was a battery problem. The fuse system was replaced by the PO to blade style fuses. I don't believe a fuel line would have anything to do with the start switch not operating. I think it may have something to do with the kill switch, still have to dig into that a bit

 

Yes it could. That light can illuminate with as little as 5 volts applied to it.
Checking battery voltage takes all of 30 seconds. Easy things first.

Kill switch is also a good suspect, as is the starter button.

 

remove the sidestand safety relay it is under the seat. if bike starts then look at the sidestand switch,
there is also a clutch safety switch if it has failed open bike will only start in neutral

the sidestand switch can just get sticky and fail. make sure the plunger is moving freely

 

Don't assume the starter button and starter relay are not part of the problem.

 

So just a little update, when I got home from work last night I tried it again and it started right up. Had it on, shut down and tried it again about 3 times with no problem. I want to make sure this issue is corrected so this morning I tested the battery and that is reading over 12.5 volts. With the key on don't notice any major drop in voltage, still nothing happens again when you hit the start button. Took apart the start button and cleaned up the contacts on the wiring inside & reassembled. Still nothing at all. Is there a way to bypass the relay for the side stand(under the seat from what one of you guys said)? Never done that so I don't want to mess anything up obviously.

 

Clean the starter button contacts. I had a similar issue years ago. I also replaced the plastic buttons (starter and horn) with aluminum replacement parts I found online. Let's see if I can find the link again...

 

PULL IT OUT OF THE CONNECTOR that is the bypass and test, the bike will run with out it.

you can also disconnect the black/white wire at the tci unit

wiring diagram with interactive stuff , tells how to bypass or test things
http://www.frankjohansson.com/stuff/xj550/XJ550ElectricalDiagram.html

 

Thanks!

 

did you put more fuel in the tank? you may have more than 1 problem

Your Gas Cap and You

 

Also, for those reading this who haven't upgraded their fuse box. There is a glass fuse that sits in between 2 clamps. Make sure those clamps are still holding the tube securely. If not, be gentle, remove the fuse and squeeze the clamps together. You may break it so be ready to upgrade or install a new end.

 

And those old clips get cracks in them. Teeny-tiny, almost invisible cracks that keep the magic pixies from doing their jobs. A continuity test at the crimp will catch them (the cracks, not the pixies).

 

Check your starter solenoid. I'm dealing with a similar issue right now, and I've tracked it down to a bad solenoid. Lights come on, horn works, yada yada but not a thing when the start button is pressed. You can bridge the connectors on the solenoid with a metal screwdriver in a pinch just to get yourself going but starting your motorcycle with a screwdriver is no way to live your life, especially when a new one is less than a drive thru combo meal.

You can also take it out, take it apart and clean it, put it back together.