Electrical problems

How does one bypass the thumb kill switch? I know its a bad idea, but the one i have right now is non functional and my bike wont start because of it

 

I assume you could open it up and short something out w/ a paperclip or something? Understanding it's not a good idea, but in a pinch.

 

I don't have one on the bike, the guy i bought it from cut it off, i bought a new wiring harness and I'm just trying to get it started again. The last one was just pig tailed and taped. Would i be able to just use a vampire clip until i pick up a new right control?

 

Ah, missing is different than non-functional. Are the wires still there? If your bike is anything like mine, look for what the kill switch connects to and get power to that:
http://lumien.se/stuff/xj550/XJ550ElectricalDiagram.html

(basically, get power to the TCI)

 

No wires :/ My new harness has the connector to go to the right controls, but I have no right controls.

 

It looks like without the right controls it leaves the circuit to the coils open, would that cause them to not fire?

 

Also, can someone explain to me how a TCI works?

 

Good place to start is Chacal's catalog. He often has links that are really educational (and much content right in the catalog itself). http://xjbikes.com/forums/threads/xj-parts-catalog-section-d-electrical-system.44641/

 

Thanks man

 

Did you read what I posted to you regarding the differences in years, models, wiring harnesses, etc....... That I told you in the conversation?

If not, here's the info.....

If so, and you don't understand, here's why--

The 550 wiring harness may be different than your '81 650 maxim. The 80-81 650 Maxim harness is a little different than the '82-83 650 Maxim harness.

Since you said you bought a different harness, it would help to know which one you bought, since you were following a different bike's schematic to begin with.

The early 650 Maxim harness:

-No kickstand relay
-Mechanical tach
-Kill switch grounded through handlebar

The later 650 Maxim Harness;

-kickstand relay
-electrical tach
-kill switch grounded through a ground wire in the harness

that's just the 650 Maxim...... Now, if you got a harness off a different model, who knows what the differences could be at this point. THAT is why I asked so many questions, and haven't given a simple answer yet.

plus, the horn button needs to be accounted for, too-- if you're missing the right control, you're missing that. PLUS, if you're missing the right control, what are you using for the throttle control, since that is part of the right control assembly?

Dave F

 

you could look up the minimum wiring harness and see the least amount of wires it takes to run the bike. then look at what would be on the right control and see where wires that are missing go.
a lot of your stuff might not work but it might run.
hint: take the battery out and use a small charger in its place while you test stuff, that way you won't burn it down if something's not right
look up jap electric scooter parts, you might find a real cheap set of switches

 

Thanks guys, sorry i keep asking so many questions. I'm just frustrated with this damn thing

 

DO NOT get frustrated--- step away from the bike or you'll break something. You're too early in the game to get frustrated yet.

 

Remind youself that the timetable you want is not the timetable the bike needs. One issue at a time. Be thorough. Take as much time as needed.

 

Figured it out, one of the leads to the cut off switch was cut, they are pigtailed for right now. The bike is running again

 

Thought you said you didn't have any right hand controls.

 

All ya had to do is fallow the wires from the keyd switch to the 3prong plug. Disconnect it . Git a small piece of wire bout an inch long and pull off the casei g on each end and fold it it half. Stick both ends of the wire in any 2 or the 3 pin females holes.... that gives you ignition. Then hit the starter button.......

 

Not necessarily----depends which harness he got, some had the ground wire to the controls in the plug, and and some did not......

Whatever the case, he running again, but this is primarily info for someone else who may end up reading this forum someday---

 

hey im new to the site got maxim 1100 and its running but not charging help

 

Nathan, start a new thread and folks here, people much smarter than me, will generously share their knowledge and experience to try to help you. When you create the thread, put in as much detail as you can, including the year of the bike and what you have done to troubleshoot so far.

 

im not sure how to do that

 

At the top of the forum is a button that states "start a new thread". Click on it and you will see a place for a subject and a place to enter your question and give details. You won't be able to post pictures (or links - if I recall correctly) right away, but you should be able to post your questions. Let us know if you need more help with it.