Won't start

[MikeFromMT]

I’m hoping some of you can help me with my problem.
I started my bike (82 XJ 1100) last winter no problem, a few months later I decided to take it for a ride, the battery was a bit low (barely cranked the engine) and I noticed it was low on fluid so I added some distilled water and gave it a charge, the bike turned over a little slow but started up, I drove into town to wash off the dust and when I tried to start it the bike acted as if it again had a bad battery,(cranked slow then nothing, so I bump started it no problem and rode home) so I charged it again but this time it wouldn’t turn over the bike, not even with a jump. So I jumpered the solenoid and it turned over slowly but won’t start…
Fast forward to the dealer (without the bike) who said the solenoid was fine but the battery was not (no surprise there) new battery is now in the bike, won’t turn it over, not even a click, if I jumper the solenoid the bike turns over very strong like one would expect but no start, I also noticed there is no spark.
I’m still thinking bad solenoid but the dealer checked it and said it’s fine, does it act as 2 switches, one to send power to the starter and another to allow spark?
Any thoughts are welcome,
Oh ya I also checked the handle bar kill switch, side stand switch, fuses, connections…
Thanks!

[stevec5000]

It sure sounds like the kill switch is off even though you said that you checked it so you must have an open connection somewhere, dirty ign. switch contacts, corroded pin in a connector, broken wire, bad kill switch or something similar. I would recommend you pickup a voltmeter (they are usually on sale at Harbor Freight) and using the wiring diagram in the manual, start at the battery and trace the power from there throught the main fuse to the ign. switch, back to the other fuses, through the kill switch, etc. until you get back to the coils and the starting solenoid. You are sure to find an open connection somewhere. Also be sure and check the grounds and neg. lead to the battery for continuity. There should be zero ohms resistance from the battery neg. terminal to the frame and engine.

[MikeFromMT]

Thanks for the input Steve, that's what it seems like, the kill switch is engaged...

[mitch]

Side Stand

Make sure the side stand switch is coming back out when you put your stand up . mine use to stick so i just bypassed it.
Doug

[MikeFromMT]

Thanks Doug, that switch has been known to stick so it was the first thing that I checked, it was in fact stuck but some lube cured that. still no start, but similar symptom.

[mro]

Sometimes...even checking a switch with a multimeter you can get erroneous results (mostly false positive). XJ? clutch/neutral switch?, side stand switch and kill switch...which can all affect the starter.

Kill switch wires have been known to come loose as well as wires at the ignition switch.
Since side stand switch has stuck before would by-pass it just to be sure it's not the culprit then take a look at the others. Fuses all in good order?


mro

[81xsproject]

Probably not the side stand switch. If it is set up like my XJ650 was, the bike will start and run fine, but die once it is taken out of neutral. Gave me hell back when I didn't know anything about bikes.

Also, don't trust glass fuses. Just because they don't look burnt out doesn't mean jack. Test for continuity across both the fuse itself and across the fuse holders aswell.

[MikeFromMT]

Great ideas everybody, I've looked at the fuses but have not (yet) checked them with a meter, also good point about the side stand switch, I have power to my dash lamps and headlight when I turn on the key but when I push the starter button I get nothing.
Thanks!

[DiverRay]

Try shorting the solenoid between the battery and the start switch with a bit of wire. If that works, look at the handlebars and make sure you have a GOOD GROUND for the start button.

[MikeFromMT]

Ding-Ding-Ding-Ding we have a winner!
First a huge “thanks” to all who responded, offering some good advice on what to check (now and in the future) to solve my problem.
The big credit goes to 81xsproject who drove home the point with this comment:

Also, don't trust glass fuses. Just because they don't look burnt out doesn't mean jack. Test for continuity across both the fuse itself and across the fuse holders aswell.

The problem lay in the main fuse, the one in the white plastic holder, it looked fine but when I put my meter on it I got nothing for a second or 2, then I got a signal, it turns out that the fuse and the connectors in the holder had some corrosion on them, after a quick cleaning I put the holder back together (heard a relay click) pushed the starter button and the bike immediately fired to life.

Beers on me, of course you’ll have to come to Iowa to claim it!

[stevec5000]

Hey! I suggested you check the fuses way back there!

[MikeFromMT]

Originally posted by stevec5000
Hey! I suggested you check the fuses way back there!

Yes you did! and that's the hard part about giving credit, EVERYBODY gets some, they all were great ideas and whilest you did say to check those fuses it was 81xsproject who politely said "do a better job checking those fuses"

Shared credit to all who said "check fuses" they get first dibs on the drinks, the rest of ya get what's left over.

[stevec5000]

I was robbed! I demand a recount!

[MikeFromMT]

For the record...Stevec5000 was the first to say "check fuses"
81xsproject was the first to say "go back and do it again"


OK Steve, so now I've got this oil leak...and a first gear isssue...Think you could come over and take a look? oh and bring some tools too would ya

[gk45242]

Side stand swith

79 xs 1100 special.. having problems with starting. someimes it will other times it won't (currently won't)... What exactly is the side stand swith? and where do i find it?