Side Stand Relay and Starting functionality

I've been struggling with this question for a bit, so bear with me.
Basically, I can't start the bike with the side-stand down. The starter solenoid will engage, and the engine will turn, but there's no spark, even with the bike in Neutral.
I've checked functionality of the side-stand switch, and the relays (Using the OEM 4H7 Neutral Safety Switch/Starter Cutoff and the 4U8 Side-stand relays) and everything checks out. The Neutral Light is on when the bike's in neutral and off when in gear...

If there are more diagnostic to questions to ask, please do. If my XJForums-foo is just sub-par, point me in the right direction. If I'm thinking that it's supposed to be able to run with the sidestand down and it doesn't, just call me a fool.

Thanks in advance

 

Yes it should run with the side stand down if it is in neutral. I think you are saying it runs with the side stand up both in neutral and in gear, and if so then that indicates a working side stand switch and side stand relay.

If it won't run in neutral with the side stand down and the starter circuit is working as you stated, then either the diode block is open or the associated wiring is defective that routes from the side stand relay, through a diode in the diode block, and back to the neutral switch.

 

you can check the diode block with a meter set to diode test . one leg will have a resistor for the oil light

that photo is a 650K diode block but gives you the idea of how it is put together

 

Diode diagnostic it is... (And several hours post birthday lasagna and convincing children that they need to sleep)... both of my available packs properly show the passage of electrons in one direction only (V+ on black with red lead and V- on blue with white lead).

Rooster is correct that the bike runs with the side stand up both in gear and in neutral and appears to be correct that my next step is chasing wires.

At least she has a center stand and I can still ride her.

 

have you tried removing the sidestand relay to see if bike starts in neutral with sidestand down?

there is also a black/white wire on the tci connector with a rubber covered bullet connector unplug that after testing sidestand relay removal.

 

I don't remember seeing the signature originally and that this is a 900, so some clarification needed as there appears to be two versions of the 900, one with a side stand switch and one without.

So, from the testing you did on the diode block that would be for the 900 without. The 900 with a side stand switch should have 5 wires for the diode block. Three of the wires are for the oil light, and two would be for the side stand relay / neutral switch steering path. If you truly have the side stand switch and side stand relay, then you need the diode block that contains two diodes and one resistor.

I only have access to a really poor quality diagram, but it looks like the 900 with side stand switch the diode block should have a W and W/G wire that connects to the diode that is relevant for running in neutral with the side stand down. The W should mate with Sb and the W/G should mate with L/Y on the main harness.

 

signature is newly added

 

Side stand switch = training wheels in my manual

 

I use it as an "Off" switch. For some reason, my trans doesn't like going into neutral when the engine is running, so I lower the side stand, then kick it into neutral, then turn the key to off.

 

That sounds like a royal pain in the ass - you're lucky you don't live in VA where we have some traffic lights that stay red for 10 mins. I bet you have a strong left grip though, I picture you with I giant left hand now..

 

Have fun with that first left turn.

 

I have and use the center stand so the side stand is really just an extra 2-3 lbs of steel hanging off the side of the motorcycle. Honestly, the side stand's primary use is to counter-balance the weight of...

Can confirm that my 900 has a side stand with plunger switch, tested the other day for break and continuity depending on switch position.
Can confirm diode block in electrical pan beneath seat has 5 wire leads. Did not check W W/G pair, but do remember them being there.
Procedure to check diode pack was taken from an "XJ900F" Haynes manual. Most of the stuff in the manual is pretty close, but I do know the wiring diagrams are not exactly the same. Could not find a Haynes or Clymer's repair manual for the 900RKs (or even a Yam shop manual) when I was shopping for one last time.

Today the bike really let me down, though. Ran it about 100 miles this weekend before I decided to take her to work before the hurricane started to piss on Ohio. I don't know if the electrical gremlins just ganged up on me, but engine quit firing while I was going about 80 on the interstate on the way to work and refused to start again. One of the ladies at the office's front desk saw me in my gear on the side of the highway on her way in so when I finally get to office she has the gall to ask me if I was having a rough Monday... At least one of my office mates helped me get the bike in the back of my truck over lunch.

I will check battery levels again to make sure my TCI didn't just up and quit due to low voltage (and I'll make sure I'm still charging, but I was at 14V+ across the terminals yesterday around 2200RPM and 12.6 on the battery with the bike off). Other than that, it's back to the wires and relays with multi-meter in hand (and probably a beer in the other). This is going to take a while. I'll let you know if I find anything interesting after another primary inspection.

 

I did find this which is very poor quality, but this is what the diode block should look like with the diode on the right for the side stand relay.

 

W/G to W is a no go (and Rooster has said this was the important one for the side-stand switch functionality). G to L/W is good.
Resting battery today is at 12.3V, so there's other gremlins living in my system right now.
Now to recheck the relays...

 

The other diode pack shows voltage transfer in one direction on both diodes. Thanks for the wiring diagram.
Starting a new no-start thread...

 

Bike now starts and I have replaced the diode pack. Ran with the side-stand down when I tested it. We can call this issue closed.