Not starting

[Pain]

So, I have lights, 11v on the battery, and not so much as a click from the bike. It is not the Kill switch, fuses look okay.

Any ideas?

[randy]

Pain,

Is the solenoid OK? Try jumping it with an old screwdriver. If you get action, then either the solenoid is bad OR the +12V feed to it is dead, OR the starter button is no good.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Pain,

11 volts is a little low! You might want to try putting the battery on a charger for a day first! Also, have you tried jumping it from a car/truck with the engine OFF??? How old is the battery?

You can take the starter push button switch assembly OFF, and then put a voltmeter on the starter wire between it and ground and check for power. IF you don't get any, somethings wrong! IF you do get power, then try jumping that wire directly to ground, sometimes the contacts in the switch get corroded, IF it works, then clean the contacts, the switch assembly so that it'll make good contact with the handlebars where that WIRE needs to ground to so that it can complete the circuit to activate the starter by throwing the solenoid!
T.C.

[81xsproject]

You also stated that the fuses 'look' good. If you have the old glass ones, it is always worth testing for continuity across them as they can go out and still look okay.

[wa407mpp]

I had the wire from starter button to the solenoid break inside the insulation, it drove me crazy looking for the problem. Some times it would start then it wouldn't. that might be worth a look.

[Pain]

Thanks for all the help. I didn't think 11v was too low, I mean to not even get the starter to click or something, but I will hook it up to the charger, and try by-passing the switch.

I'll try and remember to post up the results.

[ScottsXS]

11v is very low for these bikes mine has almost a 3v drop w/ starter engaged w/ battery fully charged at 12.7v so even if it does crank there still not enough juice for the ign

[Pain]

Okay, a much belated follow up post. I kinda back-burned this bike for a while and sorted out some carb jetting issues. Now, though, I am looking into it again.

Below are the tests TC suggested I run, but if you read you will note there are no directions for a lack of power at the starter button wire. I don't have power there. There is also no clicking or whirring or anything else.

In fact, the electrical wires all tested exactly the same as my other xs11, with the engine stop switch set to "Stop." Switching out the switches had no effect.

I have searched around for this on the forum, but haven't found anything. Well, I found links to wiring diagrams, but I can't make heads or tails out of those.

I am not really good at electrical problems, but my local mechanic (Who hates them too, but I pay him to make it better) is pretty booked for the next couple weeks with spring fever. I am feeling like I can fix this...but I need alittle help

Originally posted by TopCatGr58
Hey Pain,

11 volts is a little low! You might want to try putting the battery on a charger for a day first! Also, have you tried jumping it from a car/truck with the engine OFF??? How old is the battery?

You can take the starter push button switch assembly OFF, and then put a voltmeter on the starter wire between it and ground and check for power. IF you don't get any, somethings wrong! IF you do get power, then try jumping that wire directly to ground, sometimes the contacts in the switch get corroded, IF it works, then clean the contacts, the switch assembly so that it'll make good contact with the handlebars where that WIRE needs to ground to so that it can complete the circuit to activate the starter by throwing the solenoid!
T.C.

[bikerphil]

no crank

Does the bike crank when jumping the two large wires on the solenoid with a screwdriver? Check that first. Make sure the bike is in neutral.

[Pain]

Re: no crank

Originally posted by bikerphil
Does the bike crank when jumping the two large wires on the solenoid with a screwdriver? Check that first. Make sure the bike is in neutral.

Yes.

[bikerphil]

Mabye next, check the connectors of the right handlebar switch. I think they are under the tank or behind the headlight. Clean all related connections.

[Pain]

Originally posted by bikerphil
Mabye next, check the connectors of the right handlebar switch. I think they are under the tank or behind the headlight. Clean all related connections.

All clean.

And I have good continueity from the switch to the solenoid.

[bikerphil]

Ok, did you check the connection at the key switch? Also, with key on, tap the solenoid with screwdriver handle while holding down the start button. This might free it up if it's stuck.

[Pain]

Which connection at the key switch am I checking? Turning the key does turn on the bike's power, is there a wire that goes to the starter button?

The solenoid will crank if I short out the contacts, should I still try hitting it?

[bikerphil]

solenoid

Try tapping the solenoid while holding the starter button with the key on. By jumping the solenoid as you did, just by-passes the solenoid. If this doesn't work, find the blue & white wire coming out of the solenoid. Use a jumper and touch to ground (-) and see if the starter cranks.