It just dies

Too hot here to do much of anything, so, its time to ask a question.
Starts fine, limited warm-up, but on getting down the road it just dies. Complete electrical blackout. Turn off ignition key and start switch, turn back on and all is well again .... starts up just fine.

Occasionally does not happen but usually one or two occurrences. Yesterday died three time in first mile. After 1st mile runs like a top.

XJ 750 K 27000 miles
1500 miles until next scheduled valve adjustment
I rebuilt / cleaned carb (with a lot of help from you-all)
new battery
charge volts above 3k rpm excellent (checked w/ local Harley shop, I assume they were not screwing with me)

Thoughts?

 

Check your fuse box. The clips might be corroding. Its a known problem with these bikes.

My XJ550 did exactly what yours did - lost all electrical a couple of times randomly. I replaced them with inline, but search this site for instructions on installing a new aftermarket fuse box.

 

The fuse box I have not checked. I will now, thanks for the thought! Not sure how I got this into hangout lounge, thought it was going to Technical forum ....Hmmmmm

 

Too hot here to do much of anything, so, its time to ask a question.
Starts fine, limited warm-up, but on getting down the road it just dies. Complete electrical blackout. occasionally does not happen but usually one or two occurrences. Yesterday died three time in first mile. After 1st mile runs like a top.

XJ 750 K 27000 miles
1500 miles until next scheduled valve adjustment
I rebuilt / cleaned carb (with a lot of help from you-all)
new battery
charge volts above 3k rpm excellent (checked w/ local Harley shop, I assume they were not screwing with me)

Originally posted in Hangout Lounge ...... post here for broader population.

 

Ground connections tight and clean?
Original fuse box?

 

Are you SURE it's an electrical shutdown and not running out of gas from a bad vent in the tank cap? If so, bypass the kill switch and see if the issue goes away. They tend to get little use for most of us and go bad without notice. If that doesn't do it, and you've checked the grounds and fuses as Stump mentioned, start shaking wires with the headlight on.....sucks but it's going to take either luck so when you shake wires it triggers the issue or you'll have to check each connection.

jeff

 

could be the fuses and you should replace the old style glass fuses (got that out of the way)

then check the ignition switch it may need to be cleaned.

Clean and lube the ignition switch

if you look at the wiring diagram.
in theory if bike is running you can discconnect the battery and bike will keep running DO NOT DO THIS.
so if you can run off the alternator , that also means when bike is running you can pull the main fuse and bike will keep running.

so I tend to think your problem of complete electrical blackout loss is in your ignition key and its connectors. the key feeds the other fuses but not the main fuse.

is the bike dying at stops or when you are running down the road?


your original post
It just dies

 

See my thread: http://www.xjbikes.com/forums/threads/signals-not-flashing-horn-not-working-when-stopped.92456/

I had similar issues with other symptoms: Signal Lights not flashing when idle on stop lights, horn not working when idle. The signal lights only flash and horns work after 2500 RPM.

I also had my bike suddently just die and i had to start it again when on the road.

The fix: I changed my fusebox and installed new connectors. See the end of my thread with picture. I kept the old fuses. Turns out there was too much resistance.

 

When I touched the main fuse clip, it essentially crumbled.

If you have the original fuse box, it is a ticking failure waiting to happen. I suggest you replace it even if it doesn't solve the original problem. However, the symptoms sure sound like fuse connection issues. Mine died completely at an intersection - no elecrical. I checked fuses, all were good visually. Still wouldn't start.

Then it just suddenly came alive electrically a few minutes later.

This happened to me twice. For months I did not ride as I didn't trust it. Then I found this site, and the information about fuse box, and the rest is history.....

 

his newer thread

It just dies ...... again

 

Thanks for the hints! Yep, dies when running down the street ..... No fuel or cap issues ........
Not original fuse box but will be checking fuse box, connections and starter switch. I only turn off ignition key and start switch then turn back on and she starts back up immediately.














!

 

start it up and wiggle the key front to back inline with the key see if it stalls.

complete electrical loss is indicitive of key switch more than fuse box . with the 750k the headlight is on when key is on no relay is used. chances of headlight fuse signal fuse (blinkers and horn) and ignition fuse all crapping out at once would be slim.

then there is the battery neg cable ground to bike motor dirty or loose


you may also want to dissemble the right handle bar control and clean and lube it electric contact spray and dielectric grease then the left side just because it is a good thing to clean and inspect.

 

I've used a bit of CRC electrical contact cleaner in the key switch with limited success.

 

that's the stuff I use too and an eraser

 

I've had my 1980 XJ650H for 8 years. It's totally stock and done either 110,000 or 210,000 kms. Great bike but it cuts out almost every time within 5 minutes from home and always has. I'm usually in 5th gear. It glides in gear to the side of the road. I put it in neutral, it starts straight away and it won't do it again that day. I've spent countless hours going over it testing, cleaning and swapping electrical bits. I've cleaned the carbs, replaced inlet manifolds, etc. Never found the problem. I've not done the CDI though so i always suspect that. I know it'll start again straight away so at the moment, I just live with it.

 

Merged.

One thread per problem/bike please. History is important to understanding how to solve a current situation. This thread title also made it sound like you had this problem before, and it was remedied temporally.

 

Sorry, not looking for help for myself but just pointing out that it might be a common problem and the things I've covered.