starter button will not turn starter

[big_dave]

OK, I went through the 18 pages looking to see if anyone had a problem like mine. No Luck!

My 1982 Maxim XJ1100 starter button will not turn the starter. I can cross the solenoid, and the starer will turn, does not fire. Is there a stupid relay that is keeping my bike from getting spark or is it in the starter button. Maybe the ignition swith or the kill switch. It could be so many things, Arghhhhh! I had it running fine a week earlier. There are these small square relays, 2 of them. I have already eliminated the sidestand switch. Motorcycles are like computers when they work there great, when they don't there not much more than a boat anchor!

Any ideas???
Thanks in advance... Big Dave

[dbeardslee]

Big-dave - The old plastic starter buttons can be problematic. If you're not getting anything when you push the button, I would look there first. You can get a replacement button from partsnmore for $6, if that's the problem. Should be able to take the switch housing apart and use a jumper wire or a continuity tester to verify the problem.

[barberad]

The ignition on my XJ is a little sloppy. If I don't have the key exactly center. I get a simular problem. My .02.
Dan

[Cobia]

re: starter button will not turn starter

Yesterday I experienced the same behavior only to discover that it was in gear. This prevented the started from operating. Hope it is something as simple as this for you.
I have other electrical problems to contend with, which I will post in another string and beg for help!!!!

[The Lorax]

If everything else appears to power up correctly, based on a lack of spark also, my guess is the kill switch. try fiddling with it while you push the starter button. It could be gummed up (of course, so can alot of things that might give similar symptoms) usually, if mine is acting up, that is the first place I look, usually I find it's just a hare's breath off of the contact, a little touch, and bang, she fires right up. just a guess. have a nice day and ride safe

[boyat68]

big_dave:

I am with "The Lorax", as a few years back I had a bike that would not start and I ground the battery down to nothing twice, using starting fluid and finally calling a friend. He came over and looked at the bike, and sat on it and then told me to try starting it after he got off. The bike started up. He had noticed the kill switch had been pushed to the kill position which I had missed. Apparently, I had brushed it to the kill position getting off of the bike. I always check the kill switch first. Also keep in mind that you have a tip over switch that kills the bike that may be defective.

[big_dave]

starter button problem

I fixed my bike today, it wasn't the kill switch! There is a square relay, with a blue, 2 red & white wires, and a black wire. I elimintaed the relay by attaching a long wire from one of the red & white wires to the solenoid. I put a Long wire on it, with a solderless end that fit on the mount on the solenoid perfectly. NO more starter problems. I did motorcycle salvage for over 30 yrs. so I didn't just fall off the turnip truck.

Thanks for your reply... Dave

[barberad]

Dave, impart some of your 30 years experience upon us and pray tell where was the offending relay located? Helps to know these things instead of just standing there scratching my head in the future.

Dan

[big_dave]

starter button problem

The relay would be octaed on the top of the airbox, between the motor and the battery. There are 2 of them that look the same. They have a small plug that goes in the bottom with 4 connectors. This is what it looks lik on a 1982 XJ1100J.

Good Luck... Dave

[Pain]

My touring bike just had the same problem, pissed me off for most of this year.

There was a break in a wire between the starter switch and the solonoid. Easy to fix, I guess....Make sure your kill switch is good before starting.

[big_dave]

starter button problems

Hello:
Was the wire red with a white line on it? That was the one that I used to connect to my solenoid. I put a solderless end on it that fit the terminal perfectly. My starter turns now with the button. It is all back together, and I can sell it now, and get some decent money out of it.

Big_Dave