oil level light on, motor wont turn over using start button?

i have an 82 maxim xj650, i call it the mystery machine LOL when i turn the key on, the oil light comes on. when i press the start button, it lights up brighter but the motor does not turn over. it starts and runs when you jump the leads on the solenoid or pop start it, but will not start using the button. was looking for answers in the forums but i'm in a hurry and couldnt find anything that was specific to this problem. any advice would help.. THANKS!!!!

 

Good news is, it's probably not a big deal, bad news is that it might take more than a couple of minutes to fix ... try this for "starters" ...

http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=32483.html

 

Oil light indicates low oil level, not low oil pressure- check it in the sight glass (bottom of clutch cover).
Ref your starting problem, check and/or substitute the battery - these bikes need all the juice you can get to turn over AND fire up.

 

i forgot to mention that the bike DOES have an adequate amount of oil in it, and the battery is brand new, fully charged. It cranks, starts, and runs fine, but the oil light stays on when the bike is running.. the light has never stayed on until this started happening, the light itself doesnt bother me because i know the bike has the proper amount of oil, its just the fact that i cant start it using the button anymore. Another question i have is, do these bikes have some type of oil level safety thing, where the start button will not engage the starter if the oil level switch is reading a low oil level?

 

Firstly, there is no interlock between the starter and oil level light circuit that PREVENTS start cranking if the oil level is low. There is a connection between the oil level circuit and the starter circuit via a diode as shown and explained here ...

http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=32609.html

You can disconnect this diode altogether and your oil level light circuit will still work provided your oil level switch and everything else in the circuit is ok.

You have a wiring fault or failed component in your starter circuit, either on the power side which energizes the relay or the ground side which grounds it. If you have a meter check for 12 volts at the starter relay with the ignition on. If that is ok the ground circuit (which includes the start button) is open. The only way to find it for sure it so work your way around the circuit as detailed in my earlier post, you do have the factory manuals right?

Check for loose connections or corroded terminals. There are active components on both sides of the circuit and you'll have to check both sides to make sure you have both power and ground. You can also check the operation of the switch by disconnecting it from the harness connector behind the headlight and putting your meter across the two terminals while you press the start button. Check for resistance higher than a couple of ohms, if so, you can dismantle and clean the switch, it might be that simple.

 

never had any of the connectors unplugged, wow talk about corroded terminals!! cleaned everything up and reassembled with dielectric grease, problem solved apparently.. :roll: