Irregular starting issue (I will pay in craft beer or bacon)

Hello hopefully fellow Michiganders. I finally got my first bike. I was really excited about it, but it has been anything but reliable. It has some kind of electrical problems, and I am unable to get it started. Is anyone form here handy, or know of anyone in the area? Thanks in advance. In the mean time I will keep leafing through the owners manual.

 

Read This First

 

To describe my problem a bit more: My bike was running fine, as soon as I put on my left blinker, everything shut off (not sure if it was related, it may have just been a timing coincidence). No engine, no lights, nothing. It seems that there is zero electricity as the (solenoid?) no longer clicks under the seat when I switch it to run. (if this theory is flawed let me know, this is based on my googling). I tried cleaning the terminals, and I replaced the battery and the starter solenoid relay. Before this, I have had it in the past where I press the starter and nothing happens, as well as some clicking but not enough to get the engine to turn over (like not enough power). This was a very sporadic problem, it might work fine for a week, then nothing for 2 days, then fine again. I have a multimeter and an owners manual, but to be honest I'm not really sure what I should even be looking for.

 

Is the fuse box original?

 

I just got to that part of the guide (extremely helpful, thank you so much). Yes it is still the original fuse box. I just read that it is highly recommended to replace. I'm sure I am simply not looking in the right spot, but is there a modern replacement that I would be able to pick up from an autoparts store?

 

A bit further own in the DYI section you will find:

Your Fuse Box -- A Ticking Bomb??? By: Rick Massey

and

HOW TO: Install an aftermarket fuse box

 

Sounds like you blew the main fuse. But it could also be that your battery was on lots last legs/your system isn't charging the battery/ and turning on the blinkervused up whatever charge was still there.

Check your main fuse, and check the battery. If the fuse is blown, time to look for a short circuit .

 

clean the run switch electric cleaner and dielectric grease
run switch can give sporadic voltage to tci and solinoid

 

I'm in Ann Arbor, but I have 0 experience w/ electrical :/
Good luck! If you don't get the answer in this thread try searching/posting in technical chat.

 

we have a thread for every thing

How to Use a Multimeter and Read Schematics and Wiring Diagrams.

 

A quick apology to all those who gave advice: Life has thrown a couple curve balls at me, so I have yet to be able to really sit down and find the root of the problem. I am in no way ignoring all you helpful people. I plan to update with my findings this weekend.

 

Life > tinkering.
Take care of the important stuff first.

 

Alright I finally have an update. It seems that there was some home made wiring done by the previous owner. So, I replaced all the fuses, one of which was the main fuse (even though it looked in working order) as suggested in this thread, and electricity was returned. But with one problem down, there is always another that follows (If I need to move this thread else where, let me know).

It intermittently has starting issues. One morning it may start right up, and the next morning it will not seem to be able to catch enough (apologies for my poor description). The starter motor is working, and there is spark, as it may begin to run, but only for a moment. Here is a video I took which I thought would do a much better job than my uneducated description.



I do have a frayed wire on the starting/ignition cut-off/ neutral safety relay (located under the tank with 2 red and white wires, blue wire, and a black and yellow wire.) Pictures here (http://imgur.com/a/gGvmM) Is it possible to replace just the blue wire, or do I have to replace the whole harness? I was hoping that I could pull out the blue wire out of the plastic, strip it, and splice in new good wire, but I did not want to make it worse and simply have it taped at the moment. I didn't know if this would effect the charging loop, or hinder starting processes.

I just want to say that I appreciate to have such helpful community, as well as all the helpful resources.

 

One of us moderator type people can move it to technical chat if you'd like.

My today was like a third Monday, so I can't be of much help until tomorrow. That sky-blue wire is really important, so fixing it need to happen. I don't think that you'll need a whole new harness.

 

Nah I can do it. Get some rest. And thanks again.

 

My XJ650 has irregular starting issues. One morning it may start right up, and the next morning it will not seem to be able to catch enough (apologies for my poor description). The starter motor is working, and there is spark, as it may begin to run, but only for a moment. Here is a video I took which I thought would do a much better job than my uneducated description.


I do have a frayed wire on the starting/ignition cut-off/ neutral safety relay (located under the tank with 2 red and white wires, blue wire, and a black and yellow wire.) Pictures here (http://imgur.com/a/gGvmM) I didn't know if this would effect the charging loop, or hinder starting processes. Is it possible to replace just the blue wire, or do I have to replace the whole harness? I was hoping that I could pull out the blue wire out of the plastic, strip it, and splice in new good wire, but I did not want to make it worse and simply have it taped at the moment.

Thanks for looking, and I'm glad to have such a knowledgeable community to turn to.

 

Are the strands of the wire broken? If no, then the tape should be ok , , , but that is me talking.

Check battery voltage standing and when cranking.

EDIT - just looked at the link to pictures. That should be replaced, someone with electrical mojo should be able to tell you the best way to do that. Sorry it's just not my 'thing'.

 

Thanks for the help. It is a brand new battery so I can rule that part out I think, would the standing and cranking voltage tell me more than just battery condition?

 

Thanks for the help. It is a brand new battery so I can rule that part out I think, would the standing and cranking voltage tell me more than just battery condition?

 

Move the thread? No you can't

 

Please don't start a new thread when you have the same question in an existing thread.
One bike, one thread.
Merging.

 

Chacal should have the terminal ends so you can fix the sky blue wire. You'll want to cut it back a bit so you can splice in new wire to bring it back to th correct length, then crimp on a new terminal. A small flat bladed screwdriver can be used to extract the exising terminal from the connector. There is a tab on one side of the terminal that you will bend down to release the terminal.

 

Gotcha. Sorry new to forum etiquette. Would the mods mind if I deleted my old thread (If that is common, or possible) and created a new thread with a more accurate title (non location based), and current problem?

 

I can change the title if you'd like. I merged the threads so we can have an accurate record of what's been done to the bike. That helps us diagnose problems more accurately.
Just let me know what you want to call it.

May I suggest: "I will pay in craft beer (or bacon)"

 

That marks sense, bacon makes everything better. How about "irregular starting issue (I will pay in craft beer or bacon)"

 

First sentence! I win craft beer and bacon!!! Yes?

No standing and cranking voltage just verifies your bat tree is good.

 

Sounds like the bike is only running on 2 or 3 cylinders when trying to run and even a little starter clutch slippage. Seafoam in oil and then run it about 10-15 min and change oil.

 

Alright, I changed the oil. It looks like it needed it, and it may have only slightly improved the problem. But it is still the same as the video. So now, I am guessing either the daunting task rebuilding the carbs, or the starter? God I hope not. Both those might be above my skill level.

 

I used to think the same thing. But the wealth of knowledge on this forum about every single issue (and most come with handy pics!), well, fast forward 4 years, and suddenly engine surgery seems relatively minor.

Read up on the Information Overload, and ask ask ask away.

 

Have you ever been sucessful at tying your shoes?
Both jobs are a slightly less complex operation.

 

hmm, alright I'll give it a shot. Would dirty carbs result in difficult starting, or potentially a slipping clutch? Or should I take off and inspect the alternator case?

 

Diry carbs could definitely (almost certainly) cause hard starting, a can vacuum leaks.

A slipping starter clutch can be from a few causes: Poor battery condition. A starter in need of a rebuild (cheap and easy to do). Corrosion at the electrical connections (cheap and easy to clean). Incorrect oil (see link in my signature). A starter clutch that needs to be rebuilt (Big, tedious, but relatively straightforward job).