no spark

[Brent]

Riding 80 XS1100sg home from work last week. I hit a bump and ignition shut off. Lights still working. Would not turn engine with starter button.
I Did hot wire a wire fron the starter side of the solenoid, arc the two solenoid terminals with a wrench to start and rode home.

I can not fix it with duct tape and a hammer...Must be electrical.

I am looking.
Brent in GA

[DAVINCI]

tipover switch?

[CatatonicBug]

tipover switch?

If it was the tipover switch, it wouldn't start at all, even arcing across the solenoid.

[skids]

Tipover module
Ignition fuse
Kill switch
Key switch
solonoid

If all the lights come on, I am guessing the solonoid could be suspect.

[GLoweVA]

If all the lights come on, I am guessing the solonoid could be suspect.

It died while running, which to me indicates an ignition fuse loose.

Something very similar happened to me once. Hit a bump down the interstate at night, bike died. pulled to side and wouldn't crank. pushed it 1/4mile down the off ramp to a 7-11 and some light, pulled the side cover off and a fuse fell out. put the fuse back in, vroom. off I went.

Thinking about your problem, you might have a loose connection with the right hand switch. (start button and kill switch) If you lost those... bike would die and you couldn't start.

[rpgoerlich]

Had a similar problem when I had my 79SF. Turned out to be the wiring harness connector under the tank coming from the front. Got pulled a bit and when I turned it would shut down.

[Brent]

Tipover module
Ignition fuse
Kill switch
Key switch
solonoid

If all the lights come on, I am guessing the solonoid could be suspect.

Thanks for directions.

I checked emergency kill switch. Filthy. Cleaned it but plastic crumbled & broke, contact poles loose. Two wires going to it are now fastened to same screw.

Checked & cleaned many plugs connections; under seat, under tank, in headlight bucket. Found a single female plug connection on a red wire with nothing to plug in in the headlight bucket. Also a female plug connection with 2 blue wires on one end. Maybe extra for something?

Did not change tipover switch. Was running out of ideas, stumped...I will check that tomarrow

starter button, solenoid & starter were working, then quit while turning over engine looking for spark in removed & grounded spark plugs. (may be that tipover module...)

Brent in GA

advice from auto parts guy who sold me more CRC wire connection cleaner spray "Get a bigger hammer."

[bikerphil]

Tipover switch is easy to bypass, just unplug the 2 wire connector.

[cywelchjr]

Tipover won't stop the starter from engaging though, just keep you from getting spark. Have you tried jiggling the key around back and forth, it sounds like it could maybe be the ignition switch itself. Also check that the fuse box isn't the problem, you did replace that with something newer than the original OEM one right?

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Extra wires

The extra wires in the headlight are normal, don't worry about that, my best guess is in the fuse box, weak link on these, if all is good there, check your grounds, they fail and can give up from a bump, good luck

Thanks for directions.

I checked emergency kill switch. Filthy. Cleaned it but plastic crumbled & broke, contact poles loose. Two wires going to it are now fastened to same screw.

Checked & cleaned many plugs connections; under seat, under tank, in headlight bucket. Found a single female plug connection on a red wire with nothing to plug in in the headlight bucket. Also a female plug connection with 2 blue wires on one end. Maybe extra for something?

Did not change tipover switch. Was running out of ideas, stumped...I will check that tomarrow

starter button, solenoid & starter were working, then quit while turning over engine looking for spark in removed & grounded spark plugs. (may be that tipover module...)

Brent in GA

advice from auto parts guy who sold me more CRC wire connection cleaner spray "Get a bigger hammer."

[Brent]

Sparks!

tipover switch?

YES!

My bike would not start. So tell me what is wrong without even seeing it from 500 miles away...And the winner is

Tipover switch aka emergency engine stop switch as shown in the wiring diagram & wireing harness drawing in shop manual.

I am SO glad I asked. Love it when it starts quick & hits regularly on all 4 cylinders.

Thanks.

Yes, I did reach deep inside and grabbed the brass ring. Much easier than removing & cleaning neutral light wire connection behind shifter. I also zip tied plug to frame so I can reach up under tank and unplug it if future malfuction occurs.

[BA80]

Heh heh.........I think someone mentioned that right off. Didn't they?