Electrically dead ?

[Shelbyjoe]

Hi guys,
I'm new to this website but bought my XS11 new in '79. I have a problem I'm hoping this forum can help with.
When I tried to bring my 11 out of winter storage this year, I charged the battery overnight and put the fuel supply to prime, pulled out the choke and cranked and cranked and cranked although at one point I got an almost start... I let up then tried again. This time while cranking I heard a large bang, like a shotgun from the underseat area (I had seat & side covers off). It was not a backfire but an electrical component let loose (like a capacitor) It sounded like it came from the turn signal can but that looked ok. I did smell a burnt electrical smell. No power available when the key was turned on. Checked out the starter solenoid ant it checked ok. No power to the solenoid (blue & red wires). I then went down the checks for the igniter unit and according to the manual it reads a bad unit based on resistance checks. I took the igniter apart to see if either of the diode was popped but they appear ok. Next step is to but a used igniter on ebay. What bothers me is the lack of voltage to the stater solenoid when I hit the button. Battery shows 12v. Am I missing anything? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks,
Shelbyjoe

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Joe,

Okay, first of all, do you have the OEM fuseblock with the flimsy brass clips and glass fuses? If so, that's a starting point to replace and update. Check your fuses...they can pop when they blow!? ALso, check your grounds...both the battery to frame as well as the engine to frame just below the battery case/behind the starter...remove, clean off corrosion, reattach, coat with dielectric grease. RECHARGE your battery and then get it LOAD TESTED. Your TCI/igniter unit may actually NOT be bad...but due to corrosion in the connections it may not be getting the required 10.5 minimum volts to fire the plugs...so the engine cranks, but no sparky. There have been 2 recent threads with the same type of activity, and thorough cleaning of ALL of the connectors including the MAIN KEY SWITCH has helped eliminate lots of the voltage drops!

There's an electrical diagnostic guide in the tech tips you may find useful!

I resell the solid ATCO style fuseblocks....I'm expecting a fresh order of 10 blocks any day now, see the For Sale Forum, parts/services, parts/services by members STICKY thread, scroll down, you'll find it.

T.C.