Need help 82xj550

I've been working on my girlfriend's 82 xj550
It starts sometimes
It has spark only when pressing the stater button and releasing it not during the press
It starts up sometimes and runs amazing but then it'll cut out and not wanna start for a while it's hit or miss
I have a xj1100 tdi which doesn't have the terminal for the kickstand relay
I don't see why it would start sometimes
The coils are getting power
When it sparks it doesn't stop like without touching anything it'll spark over and over continuously in this state the bike turns on when the button is pressed
I just need help she's really hyped to ride and my 750chop is too long tall and heavy for her

 

Sounds like a weak battery

 

Elaborate
The battery is new but it may not be the stock battery

 

It's fully charged you thinking it doesn't have enough cca's?

 

when you have it running check voltage
when starting check voltage if it drops below 10 (9.5 )volts it will not start.

get the correct battery
ohm out your ignition system and test the charging system.
specs and trouble shooting in this link
The Ultimate Relay, Switch, Sensor, and Diodes Guide

are you running the XJ 1100 TCI on a 550?

unplug the sidestand relay to eliminate it as the problem

do you have a service manual?

 

should be 12N-12A-4A/12V 12AH

what do you have for a battery?

 

I am running the xj1100 tdi
I will unplug the relay and check again
Charging system is good
I will ohm out the ignition and check the battery voltage when starting too
I will get back to you with the results
Also gonna pick up the correct battery if need be
Thanks for the advice! I really appreciate it!

 

I do have a manual been digging thru the diagram and harness for any sort of issues i.e. loose dirty broken connections
Its just weird some days it'll turn on all day no problem others nothing but when I turn the key off bang a huge backfire

 

I think this could be part of the problem. If I recall correctly the XJ1100 some a type of pressure sensor device (connected by a vac hose to the #2 carb body) that is used to partially control the TCI......

 

you should at least borrow a tci unit for a 550 to see if the problem goes away.
then if the problem goes away buy a 550 tci and sell the 1100 tci

I can send you one to try out, but it will require a deposit plus shipping if you are interested start a conversation with me.

 

Kinda like the xs1100? That makes sense I've been thinking that for while my 750 did this and it ended up being a soaking wet tdi then I ran the xj1100 tdi on it and boom it was fine. The voltage during cranking doesn't drop below 11v stays around 11.31v. I'm testing the wiring now.

 

This thing has a mind of its own it's starting fine now after a bit of wire reconnecting
But it did cut off randomly once
I'm really starting to lean towards the tdi being fritzy

 

Y

You weren't kidding anything under 10v and it's crap haha thanks for the help it's actually made a huge difference
The bikes running on all 4 got a little bog n pop at 25rpms to 35 rpms but otherwise all good now to tune the carbs I paid 300 bucks to get tuned note to self just do it yourself. My dad always said you can do most things three times before you spend the amount of money it would cost to get it done and in the end learning is better than spending

 

Back to the carbs any advice before I pull put the sync out?