XJ11 Dead Electrical

[Billbobow]

Ok, here's the story. Bike had sat for a while, went to start it and it just cranked. Tried it several times, checked choke, fuel and throtle. After 4 or 5 times, some times 20 seconds at a crack - the entire display, headlight etc all suddenly died. No power through the main switch to anything.

Check my new fuse block - all fuses ok. Checked the double main under the seat - both ok. What am I missing?? I assume there is another fuse somewhere but even with the shop manual, I can't seem to find where the problem is.

Any ideas??

Bill Bowman
Muskegon, MI

[DiverRay]

Remove the LEFT side cover, and look for the inline fuse holder. IIRC the XJ has one there. Should be near the top frame, behind? the air box.
Ray

[HobbyMan]

I don't know if the XS and XJ are the same here but, under the seat, on top of the right side of the battery, just above the fuse panel, there is a single wire connection. It is a hot wire that runs to the ignition switch( I belive). On my bike, the connector is brittle. When I first started my bike, It ran fine, then the vibration worked the plug appart, just enough to break the connection. Then when I turned on the ign switch, nothing would light up. After a run down with a voltmeter, I found that the plug was bad. Again, I don't know if the XJ is the same here but it is worth a look. I suggest that you look at a wiring diagram, if available, and trace the hot lead(s), starting with the battery.

[chevy45412001]

bill

you did not mention if you still have glass fuses or not? If so did you just look at the fuses? if so check them with an actual test light! Took me three days of down time to figure that one out. was a main fuse that looked good but was bad at the end of fuse so you could not tell just by looking at it.mine is an XJ also. needless to say i replaced fuse block with another glass type block but sure do wish i did the new style fuses.can't remember who has replacements in stock? TC or Geezer? someone will chime in on that i'm sure. Just don't lose the faith i am very happy with my bike just need to keep foucused oncse in a while, it will come to you.

[trbig]

TC has the fuse blocks available, but they won't fit in behind the fuse cover or right side cover of an XJ. I just crimped, soldered, and heatshrinked the female recepticals onto the wires and plugged the buss fuses into those. It's not as pretty as some, but it works well and I can immediately tell if I blew a fuse now.

Tod

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Tod,

Correction, they WILL fit IF you mount it from underneath the OEM fuse block/bracket. I can't remember who it was, but they had an XJ, and after removing the OEM one, they just used a piece of metal to make a recessed bracket to hold the new fuse block in place, and it fit under the more snug side cover of the XJ!

I just received a new batch of them, had sold several recently and was down to 1, but now have more!!
T.C.

[trbig]

LOL.. ok.. I stand corrected. WITHOUT MODIFICATION... they don't fit! I did donate mine to a good cause though if it makes you feel any better. A fellow Okie seemed to be in need with his XS!

Tod

[jimboreeno]

I had a similar prob with one of the plugs just infront of the battery. Had a devil of a time figuring out why my headlight quit. I found a bad wire connection at the plug and bypassed it completely.

I did the fusebox fix and had to file a bit off the aluminum of the sidecover to allow it to close.

[Billbobow]

Thanks for the replys. I know it is something simple but . . . I will check voltage at the connectors around the battery. I have replaced the old fuse block with a newer version. Those fuses are ok, but there is no power. I just found it very strange that the main just went dead - totally - when I was trying to start it. I didn't think I could/would "burn" something out. Will post results when I can - will check things this weekend.

Bill