XJ1100 Starter Problems

[shutchis]

Any idea's why my "new" starter won't turn the '82 XJ1100?
How does the starter shaft "connect" to the crank shaft?

Things I've done:
I had the starter re-built and installed in a friends XJ1100 (just to verify it working), it turned his engine over like a 33 RPM record.

I installed it in my XJ and it barely turned over. I removed the plugs and squirted engine oil in the cylinders; the starter turned my engine over faster than a 45 rpm record. However, when I re-installed ONE spark plug, the starter motor stalled.

I pulled the valve cover and check the timing; the intake, exhaust and ignition alignment arrows are all lined up.

The battery (and cables) are clean and tight.

The starter (with out any spark plugs) pulls a lot of amps. Is it possible to bind the starter shaft? Thanks Stan in Deer Park

[Ziggy Stardust]

Starter Problems

Just for giggles try putting your battery in your freinds bike and see what happens. I had a similar problem some years ago and it turns out I just had a weak battery. Sometimes one or more of the cells can go "Soft". You could also pull the side cover on the left of the bike and turn the motor with a large wrench just to see how stiff the motor is; comparing it to the ammount of force required to turn your freinds bike the same way. Only 6 allen screws so a fast way to check.

[shutchis]

I used a 460 CCA battery from my boat, no joy. Wires get hot and the starter gets warm (without spark plugs.) It's like the starter cannot over come the "engine load." However, I can turn the crank with a small wrench; less than 10 ft lbs of torque.

I think the starter shaft is "stuck", but can't see how this is possible.

I will try a ground wire directly to the battery and starter (verses grounding through the frame) just to rule this out. One guy in the office thinks I have a plugged exhaust, so I'll drop the exhaust pipes just to be sure.

I'm a pretty good mechanic; this problem has me stumpped.

[trbig]

I agree with Ziggy... my bet is the battery. Just take it to your local auto parts store, and they usually test them for free for you. I had a buddy that couldn't figure out why his boat wouldn't start today... battery showed good voltage, but solenoid would just click.... volts good, amps weren't. New battery and fired on first try...
If the battery checks out good, I would look at maybe grounding problems then.

Tod

[Ziggy Stardust]

Starter problems.

You might try jumper cables from your car direct to the positive lead on the starter and a good ground. From your previous post if your wires are getting noticably warm your problem may be electrical. Going from your car direct via jumpers straight to the starter wouls eliminate a lot of troubleshooting steps.

[Douglas Money]

My bet is dragging starter.

[randy]

Have you cleaned the engine where the starter mounts? I mean REALLY clean? My bet is bad ground at the engine.

[GNEPIG]

.. did you try your friends starter in your bike? as Randy has said, make sure your starter has a good ground, you could test this really quick with a jumper cable. i hope your starter clutches are not takin a dump.

[shutchis]

Thanks for the replys. I installed a direct ground wire to the starter case. No joy, however, I measured the battery voltage ... 10.8 volts. Hmm, that's not right.

I grabed the battery from the boat...oh boy, it cranks!

You guys were right, I had a poor ground to the starter (engine). Sometimes, something so simple is the solution. Been fighting this problem so long.

I learned something;
Grounding the frame is NOT the same as grounding the engine.

I'll recharge the MC battery and have it checked. Life is SO GOOD when things go right! Thanks for the great technical advice

[randy]

Stan,

Might be a good time to clean & grease all of your ground connections. 90 % of electrical troubles are caused by corrosion.