Starter or battery problem?

[Hillier69]

I recently bought a 82 xj100 with 45 000 kms on it. It runs perfect but I have a hard time getting it to start when it's cold out. With the choke on, the bike will turn over and then stop. When I turn the choke off, the bike turns over just fine. Sometimes with the choke on, the starter almost stops, then the bike fires up. Once the bike is warmed up, I no trouble with it.
Should I rebuild the starter or replace the battery first?

Thanks.

[TopCatGr58]

Okay,

Before replacing anything, do some diagnostics. There are several connectors that need to be cleaned first. Aside from the main battery connectors, the negative battery wire where it connects/bolts to the frame...corrosion/rust point. Where the (+) wire goes to the starter solenoid, and then down to the starter...remove from battery first!!! Also, the starter grounds thru it's securing bolts to the engine case, remove and clean and reinstall. Also, there is a large grounding strap on the back of the engine below the battery case, it connects the engine to the frame, again, remove and clean and reinstall.

Next, put a voltmeter on the battery and see what volts it's putting out at idle, and then again at 2500 rpm, should be ~14.0-14.5 at the higher rpm. IF only 12 volts, then problems with charging system. There are 3 large white connectors BEHIND the fuseblock that come from the ALT, clean them, along with the Reg/Rect under the gastank!

You didn't say, so I assume that you may not know how old the battery is?? You can test the bike by just jumping it with a car battery, just don't have the CAR/TRUCK running when doing so, and see if it turns easier/faster. IF so, then it could be as simple as a worn out/weak battery, but do the cleaning FIRST!!
T.C.

[Hillier69]

Thanks, I'll try that and let you know how it turns out.