So Frustrated.. (starter problems??)

So, I bought this bike about a month back, paid 350 for it. It's an XJ750. I got a new (to me) carb rack, cleaned it and put it on. New plugs, bought brake pads and shoes, caliper rebuild kits... Just the stuff you need to get.

Well, I went to start it today, and the starter was engaging, but the bike wasn't starting. I bought starter fluid thinking a little jump would point me in the right direction (something to do with the carbs, VS something to do with the engine). I charged the battery and I get a 12 volt reading, but the starter is not engaging. I don't get the click click from solenoid failure, the battery isn't draining as if the starter is stuck. All my fuses are good. I did bypass the run switch (to ensure this was not the problem), I bypassed the start switch (I did not leave the wires connected, I do not believe they are defective).

Please help, I am very tempted to through it up on craigslist for 400 bucks (including the parts I got..) and just take the KZ650 my buddy offered me.. at no charge..

 

12v isn't charged, try 12.6v.

 

13 volts.. nothing.

could a while failed somewhere? I mean, I did nothing that would cause the starter to not respond.. NOTHING. The bike was sitting outside for 4 years, so I can only assume the corsoion went up one of the wires.. and kicked it could buy..

 

2 bolts to pull the starter & bench test it, might be the brushes, or full of c***.

 

Sounds like a dirty starter to me too, or bad brushes. For 350 bux you can't give up that easy, a KZ650 will need loving too!

If you don't want to pull the starter, try shorting the solenoid posts to see if you get sparks and that gets the starter spinning. Could also be the solenoid as well for that matter...

Replaced the brushes on my starter last year, not a tough job at all, btw.

 

Trust me, the KZ will represent even MORE of a challenge than your XJ, with no "support" like you can get here.

Plus your 650 is a much better bike. Old bikes are old bikes, honest.

 

RU getting spark to the plugs?

 

bench tested the starter...

Starter works great.

Put it back on the bike..

Still no response from the start button.

only thing I can think of now is a short somewhere in the line.. I can test the solenoid? how?

 

on the solenoid there is a wire from the battery and another wire the same size on the other side.

What you want to do is short those two posts, and see if the starter spins. You might get a shower of spark and if you're luck, a turning over motor (use a big screwdriver or something with a handle). if it doesn't work you have a problem between the solenoid and the starter motor (including the solenoid). If it does work then work your way back from the solenoid switch (the smaller wires). Could also be your starter button but first things first.

 

When your starting system is going bad (starter motor/starter clutch/solenoid), can it still be bump started?

 

Yes

 

maybe a bad start switch? can you by pass it ? or jump the siliniod, like you do fords?

 

DO NOT give up on the bike. MANY of us have had worse problems. You're just getting in to it. If you take the time to address the things that MUST be addressed, you WILL end up with a bullet-proof bike, AND a whole XJ community and support group.

Now, here are some simple things to double-check:

1. make sure the key switch is ON
2. make sure the right-hand control box 'Kill" switch is at the center position for 'run'. If it's left or right, it's still off. If you have a red rocker-type on-off, then make sure its ON.
3. make sure you're in Neutral. There is a safety relay on the kickstand, and also a neutral safety switch. both will not allow you to start the bike whin it's in gear depending on whether you have the clutch pulled or not.

Now if those all check out ok, the next thing to do it to check, clean, rebuild the right-hand controls. It's NOT difficult. A couple bolts disconnect the throttle cable, a couple more small bolts and everythins apart. My guess would be that the contacts are dirty. You may end up having to buy a new button and spring, but it's cheap. So, things to check here:

1. dirt in the bos
2. dirty contacts in bot switches inside
3. continuity in the wires
4. If all checks out, then lift the tank and unhook the connector and check all parts of that plug.
5. work your way back from there.

Again, this is NOT a big issue. Yes, you can't start the bike, but it's not like it's blown up.

If you had it turning over, but not firing up, Then it seams the switches are not the issue, unless you inadvertently either hit the kill switch, or dropped it into gear.

Not THAT all being said, I'm going to go with simple first impression.....I bet the battery is still the problem.

dave Fox