Starter Motor sounds like its free spinning, not firing...

Hi all,
Thank you in advance for reading and hopefully suggesting some causes.

I've just returned home from being away 8 weeks and after charging the battery up on my xj I hit the start button only to experience the following;

It sounded like a healthy start for 2 seconds and then the noise coming from the starter motor went up in pitch and sounded quicker. Almost sounding like its free wheeling. There was not the normal sound of the motor turning either.

The strange thing is that I put my hand over the exhaust and I could feel air being pushed out... i'm assuming this means the starter motor is doing its job...?

Do I have a spark problem? Fuel is getting to carbs after I choked and primed after the initial failure...

any help is greatly appreciated.

 

Pull the plugs and see what they look like.

Then, attach the plug wire to the plug and ground it to the head.

Turn the key and hit the starter to see if you are getting spark.

If you have fuel, air and spark, all at the right time, something explosive "should" happen.

I don't mean to insult, listing out the rudimentary things to do, but I am very methodical, and repeat the same testing things to myself.

Even the best mechanic can miss something easy if he or she forgets/overlooks a step. I know because I have!

I follow a strict order of operations every time I diagnose, even if it seems obvious. I have found that saves me time in the long run.

Report back!

 

Re: Starter Motor sounds like its free spinning, not firing.

Sounds like the carb bowls have dried out while standing, put the petcock on pri for 2 mins' then try again.

 

What I understand from your Post is that the Starter seems to ENGAGE and then seemingly >> Disengage & the Starter "Freewheel".

Not a good sign.

This usually means that the Starter Clutch is not Turning-over the Engine.
The Parts needed to Overhaul the Starter Clutch are a handful of Parts that will fit in your shirt pocket.

Done "By the Book" it requires dismantling the Engine.
There are some "Old School" Yamaha Techs that know how to perform the so-called "Starter Clutch Shortcut."

Performing the "Shortcut" is not the type of project you want to get involved in D-Y-I ... unless you have the Mechanical skills and Tools required to remove the Alternator, Starter and Interior Cover and do some work by "Feel".

 

To verify the starter clutch not engaging, take off the left side crankshaft cover (the round one), and see if the rounded "pointer" spins while starting. If nothing spins you have that answered.