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81 XJ550 seca DYING on me!

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by blake, May 4, 2017.

  1. blake

    blake New Member

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    Hey! I'm new to the world of motorcycles and just got a 81 550xjr and it keeps dying on me! It usually happens after about 5 minutes after starting up. Then I pull over and start back up and it usually makes it all the way home. I'm going to replace the fuel line/ filter and check the circuitry, but I was wondering if anyone else might have encountered this issue and has any suggestions?? Could it be the spark plugs? carbs?
    any help would be appreciated!
    thanks
     
  2. Stumplifter

    Stumplifter Well-Known Member

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  3. Toomanybikes

    Toomanybikes Well-Known Member

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    A quick note : fuel cap has a vent in it and may be clogged.
     
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  4. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    first and formost check out your rear brake shoes for delamination.
    can you give us some history on the bike like purchased it running, it sat for 10 years ect...

    could be the fuel cap is clogged when you go for a ride unlock the cap see if it still dies in 5 min
    disconnect the side stand relay it is under the seat near tool tray this will check out if your sidestand switch is the problem.
    clean the cap
    Your Gas Cap and You

    what work have you done to the bike?
    could be the resistors in the spark plug caps failing , or the pickup coils failing.

    you should put new plugs it it any way
    do you still have glass fuses could be the fuse block needs to be replaced with a blade style fuse block or 4 inline flat blade fuse holders.
    clean your gas cap vent
    Your Gas Cap and You
    clean your ignition switch
    Clean and lube the ignition switch
    replace the fuse block.

    you should ohm out the ignition system pick up coils , ignition coils, spark plug caps (they unscrew).
    check your charging system voltage battery acid level top off with distilled water.
    voltage drop when starting battery.
    this link has specs for both systems
    The Ultimate Relay, Switch, Sensor, and Diodes Guide
     
    Last edited: May 4, 2017
  5. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

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    plugged gas cap vent shouldn't even give you 5 minutes.....should be more like 1/2 a mile. But crack it loose then go for a ride and see if it still does it.

    Sounds more electrical, but we don't have enough to go on yet. Could be TCI, or it could be carb related. What did you do to clean the carbs?
     
  6. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    when it stalls will it start on prime could be a bad vacuum hose.
     
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  7. blake

    blake New Member

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    So work I've done so far: New spark plugs, fuel line/filter, and new kill switch
    Things I've discovered: Losing a half volt between the fuse and ignition switch(connections in between are okay though), Also, I think its running lean because theres no airbox and filter let in A LOT of air.
    How it dies now: I can feel the bike losing power and 1/4 of the time I pull the clutch in and it stays on. Other times it fully dies and sometimes when I start in back up theres backfire from the exhaust.
     
  8. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    Start by not running the engine without a filter.
     

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