1. Hello Guest. You have limited privileges and you can't "SEARCH" the forums. Please "Log In" or "Sign Up" for additional functionality. Click HERE to proceed.

Oil Light goes on when hold down startbutton! HELP!!!!!!!!!!

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by nelkindotnet, Jul 16, 2009.

  1. nelkindotnet

    nelkindotnet Member

    Messages:
    33
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    6
    Hello there,

    I searched, but couldn't find any information on this issue, so here we go...

    I have oil in the bike, just did a fresh oil change. Just got a fresh battery charged it for 5 hours. The horn works... So I know the battery should be fine. So now I'm at this point, where when I hold down the starter button, the damn oil light goes on and nothing, nothing happens. I have no idea what is going on here. Anyone have some suggestions? I checked the wiring for the start button, and everything is solid.

    Thanks!
     
  2. nelkindotnet

    nelkindotnet Member

    Messages:
    33
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    6
    forgot to mention it's a 1982 xj650 maxim... :)
     
  3. Shannon72

    Shannon72 Member

    Messages:
    165
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Check fuses; I've seen something similar happen with a short on my bike.
     
  4. nelkindotnet

    nelkindotnet Member

    Messages:
    33
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    6
    The main fuse is new... Is there somewhere else I should be checking?
     
  5. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    13,843
    Likes Received:
    64
    Trophy Points:
    48
    Location:
    Massachusetts, Billerica
    The Oil Light is SUPPOSED to go ON!
    That lets you know the Bulb is OK.

    You have to troubleshoot the Starting Circuit.
    Turn Ign ON
    Neutral
    Stick a Screwdriver across the two BIG Terminals on the Solenoid.

    See if she runs?
     
  6. MiCarl

    MiCarl Active Member

    Messages:
    4,373
    Likes Received:
    23
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Location:
    Livonia, MI (Metro Detroit)
    Re: Oil Light goes on when hold down startbutton! HELP!!!!!!

    On an 82 650 Maxim there is only one switch in the horn button.

    Since the oil light comes on the switch is good. Your problem is likely at the starter relay or with the safety circuits.
     
  7. nelkindotnet

    nelkindotnet Member

    Messages:
    33
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    6
    awesome, thanks!!! I'm gonna try the starter relay, I'll let you know how it goes.
     
  8. Robert

    Robert Active Member

    Messages:
    7,479
    Likes Received:
    9
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Location:
    Ventura CA
    Clicking should be coming from your solenoid and the starter safety interlock relay. Try jumping the solenoid and see if the starter turns (Rick directed this a few steps ago). If so, good bet your solenoid is dying.
     
  9. nelkindotnet

    nelkindotnet Member

    Messages:
    33
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    6
    I've got the clicking noise, so I'm definitely getting closer. Thanks all!
     
  10. nelkindotnet

    nelkindotnet Member

    Messages:
    33
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    6
    Yea, it just clicks, and nothing. Does anyone know where to buy a new one and around how much? Cheers!
     
  11. Robert

    Robert Active Member

    Messages:
    7,479
    Likes Received:
    9
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Location:
    Ventura CA
    If you jump the starter solenoid and nothing happens, you most likely have a starter problem, did you verify that 12V are present at the battery side of the solenoid. If it is there, you need to look at the starter. Pull it apart and clean it up.
     
  12. nelkindotnet

    nelkindotnet Member

    Messages:
    33
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    6
    Ahh, the 12v are present, thanks!! I'm gonna try cleaning up the starter. pretty much the one thing I overlooked when I cleaned the bike. Thanks!
     
  13. dpawl31

    dpawl31 Member

    Messages:
    873
    Likes Received:
    11
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    NH, USA
    How about the side stand guys?

    If the side stand switch is awry it will do this.

    Can you start in neutral?

    Maybe even neutral sensor?
     
  14. helmet

    helmet Member

    Messages:
    755
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Location:
    On 2 wheels... just lost my hat.
    if the solenoid is clicking, it's a bad solenoid more than likely. jump the 2 posts on it and see if it starts.
    pm chacal and he will set you up.
     
  15. nelkindotnet

    nelkindotnet Member

    Messages:
    33
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    6
    When you hold the engine start button, it should constantly make a clicking noise correct? Or is it just one click per press of the button? Right now it only makes one click each time I press the button and sometimes, doesn't make a clicking noise. Is this a bad solenoid?
     
  16. SLKid

    SLKid Active Member

    Messages:
    1,471
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    36
    Location:
    Troy, Va (Charlottesville)
    This is what my bike is doing currently.. Coincidence?? But I was riding when she died on me, and now when I hit my start button I get one click and then nothing.
    When I first got the bike i couldnt get her to start with the button so I always jumped the solenoid. Worked like a charm. You should try it too. Listen to these guys, they have experiance.
    I got my start button to work by squirting some cleaner into the button. Starts up great now.. well.. did... Give that a try too!
    Hopefully we figure out your problem! Be sure to post the solution when you find it! I wanna know whats wrong with my baby too
    -Chris
     
  17. helmet

    helmet Member

    Messages:
    755
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Location:
    On 2 wheels... just lost my hat.
    it should click once for each press of the start button.
    if it does it sometimes, but not always, it might be a sticking safety relay.
    is the bike in neutral when you try it as well?
    also, get close to the solenoid to make sure it is clicking all the time and not some of the time. some of clicks might be faint especially if the solenoid is bad.
    also, slide the boots off the solenoid and jump it with a screwdriver. if it turns over, you have a bad solenoid.
     
  18. nelkindotnet

    nelkindotnet Member

    Messages:
    33
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    6
    Awesome, this site never seems to fail. I'll let you know how the jump goes...
     
  19. classicracing

    classicracing Member

    Messages:
    41
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    6
    Re: Oil Light goes on when hold down startbutton! HELP!!!!!!

    Get a small spanner or something and tap the solenoid body a couple of times. That sometimes gets the solenoid free...
     
  20. SLKid

    SLKid Active Member

    Messages:
    1,471
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    36
    Location:
    Troy, Va (Charlottesville)
    I'ma try tapping it.. I dont think its your solenoid though. I'ma take out my headlight bucket today and test those wires and then check all the connections on my fuses.. Its gotta be something. I've also been told it could be my alternator not generating any more power cause of dead brushes
    -Chris
     

Share This Page