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Maxim XJ550 doesn't start Help!

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by Dre42, Feb 17, 2020.

  1. Dre42

    Dre42 Member

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    Hi all. Complete newbie here, sorry if Im not formatting this post properly

    I just bought my first bike a few days ago (!!!) and it's a Maxim XJ550.

    On the day I bought it it started just fine, however I tried to start today and I noticed that when I turn the ignition ON, the green light for NEUTRAL on the panel board doesn't light up.

    However, when I press the start button the OIL red light flashes briefly.

    I'm so stuck and stressed. I know absolutely nothing about bikes but want to start learning.

    Any advice would help greatly.

    Thanks in advance
    Dre
     
  2. Andy555

    Andy555 Active Member

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    new battery
     
  3. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    is bike in neutral?
    oil light should come on when starting it is a test to make sure bulb is good.

    when you say doesent start, will bike turn over and not fire ? or bike does not turn over?

    the bike has a few safety switches. sidestand switch . it prevents bike from starting when bike is in gear and kills motor when deployed.

    neutral switch lets bike start in neutral. when in gear you need to pull in the clutch to start bike the clutch lever has a switch on it.

    so tell us exactly what happens when you press the starter button.
     
  4. Dre42

    Dre42 Member

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    Ok didnt know about the kickstand

    The engine started to turn and the green light came on when I put it in neutral but the bike still wouldn't fire up. It would just turn for a few seconds and stop.

    Battery voltage is at 11.5V
    Is that enough for these bikes?
    ....
     
  5. Huntchuks

    Huntchuks Well-Known Member

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    It seems the XJ's are sensitive to voltage levels. Charge your battery so you can rule that out.
     
  6. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    you need a full charge on your battery.
    if voltage drops below 10 volts when cranking starter, bike will not start, the tci will not fire, but will spin good
    the 550 are real fussy about the voltage
     
  7. tabaka45

    tabaka45 Well-Known Member

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    Try to jump it with your car battery (car not running). If it starts you need a new battery. If not, you have other issues. Once you get it worked out invest in a Battery Tender Jr and keep it plugged up when in the garage.
     
  8. Dre42

    Dre42 Member

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    Ok I charged the battery with a battery tender, still nothing. Will try to replace the battery all together to see if that's the culprit
     
    Last edited: Feb 22, 2020
  9. tabaka45

    tabaka45 Well-Known Member

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    Did you try to jump it with a car battery? Do that before buying a battery .
     
  10. Dre42

    Dre42 Member

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    Is that going to mess up the electrical system of the bike? I read you should only do that in case of emergency no?
     
  11. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    a car battery is ok to use as long as car is not running. also do not just keep cranking and cranking. you do not want to drain car battery then start charging it with motorcycle charging system or burn out the starter
    use some starter fluid but contuniued sprayng can also foul plugs
     
  12. tabaka45

    tabaka45 Well-Known Member

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    I attach the jumper cables to the car battery then attach the positive to the bike battery and just touch the negative to the bike battery.
     

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