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XJ600 won't start when it's been raining

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by Spotman, Jul 3, 2013.

  1. Spotman

    Spotman New Member

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    My 1991 XJ600 refuses to start when it's been sitting in the rain. It's fine once it dries out. I bought a cover for it, last used it Monday night and covered it, it rained Tuesday evening - not even very heavily, and refused to start again this morning after I took the cover off.

    She turns over quite happily but the spark appears to be too weak to fire up.

    I've ordered some Wet Start to spray on the electrics, some new spark plugs and an air filter just in case, but does anyone have any experience of this or can advise me please?
     
    Spotman, Jul 3, 2013
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  2. wizard

    wizard Active Member

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    Rice
     
    wizard, Jul 3, 2013
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  3. Spotman

    Spotman New Member

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    Put where?
     
    Spotman, Jul 3, 2013
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  4. Ted

    Ted Member

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    I've never encountered this problem but I've seen it pop up numerous times here on the forum. If you do a search for "won't start rain" or "rain coils" you'll get plenty of results!

    Most likely you've got a crack in one or both of your ignition coils. This lets moisture inside the coils when it's raining and is apparently a VERY common issue on these old bikes. Inspect the coils (located under the gas tank & attached to your spark plug wires). You'll probably find some cracks along the mold lines. If so, try spraying some WD-40 or other water dispursement agent in there to dry it out then seal it up with some epoxy or whatever.
     
    Ted, Jul 3, 2013
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  5. maz43

    maz43 Member

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    I had the same problem. I installed new Accel coils and new plug wires.
    Now it starts dry or wet, hot or cold.
    There are threads about refurbishing the old coils on this forum.

    Maz
     
    maz43, Jul 3, 2013
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  6. mtnbikecrazy55

    mtnbikecrazy55 Active Member

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    It's your coils.

    The dyna coil upgrade is a good one.
     
    mtnbikecrazy55, Jul 3, 2013
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  7. wizard

    wizard Active Member

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    heap dry rice over the electrical components, leave for 2 days then vacuum off. For the coils you would have to make a little 'nappy' ( diaper for those in the good old US of A )
     
    wizard, Jul 4, 2013
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  8. Spotman

    Spotman New Member

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    New coils - that sounds like a good answer, though I'll take a look and see what condition they are in first and see if I can carry out some repairs.

    Being a Brit, I also call them nappies :)
     
    Spotman, Jul 4, 2013
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  9. Spotman

    Spotman New Member

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    Replaced the coils, sprayed everything in WD40, still won't start when it's wet :-(
     
    Spotman, Aug 22, 2013
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  10. jmilliken

    jmilliken Well-Known Member

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    what did you replace the coils with? used, OEM, or aftermarket?
     
    jmilliken, Aug 22, 2013
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  11. Spotman

    Spotman New Member

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    I replaced them with used, but I'd be very surprised to find four coils with identical symptoms. Could it be the ignitor?
     
    Spotman, Aug 30, 2013
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