It won't start !!!!

[pepper0315]

OK, guys....Yet another new guy looking for some advise.
I'll try to keep it short but still give you all the info.
Picked up a 1984 XJ100 a couple of months ago. Haven't taken the course yet, and don't even have my license yet, so my wife says park it till next year. I agreed. This has not stopped me from going in the shed and starting it up though. Much to my suprise yesterday, it wouldn't start. I tried for a while, but the battery died. I pulled my truck up on someone's advise, and left the engine off, and just hooked up the jumper cables up to the bike battery. It cranks and cranks, but just won't go. Got a couple of back-fires, and 2 or 3 times it sounded like it wanted to go, but didn't.
I let it charge a while for a few times, and tried to start it, but nothing. Now, it won't even turn over, just getting clicks from what I'm guessing is the starter.
Please help as I can't bear the thought of going through the winter not knowing if the bike will work next spring. Not only that, I have to run the fuel stabilizer into the carbs, and that won't be easy if the bike is not running.
Any help appreciated....

Andre

[xj11john]

Pepper

Did you choke the engine alot when you tried to start it? I see you hooked up your truck to it to try to jump/and or use the trucks battery to start it...first I would think that I would see if the battery can be salvaged, maybe be tested at a shop or dealer, and then when you know you have a good battery (maybe you will have to get a new one if that ones bad)
start from there, first prob solved, then move on to the starter, if just a click with good battery, take off cover over the starter and inspect the bendix-gear that turns flywheel or gear to the engine, it may not be throwing out to catch the other gear, maybe just stuck.
if just stuck you should be able to disengadge it from the other gear, if not take off the starter-once you have the starter off see if there is damage to the bendix(gear) on the starter, if just alittle scuffed up, you should be able to clean it up with a wire brush, or a file. (happens alot on riding mowers since they have a plastic gear-especially if you are having starting problems-seem to hang up) that is what it sounds like to me.

on to the original problem of bike not starting, this could be alot of different things, remember to start-no pun intended- with the basics-air, fuel, and spark-if you have these three---well four in your case--starter turning engine over-- you should have it licked, keep us updated, good luck.

[John]

XS/XJ starter

The starter will not click. It doesn't have a solenoid attached to it. That is above and to the left of the fuse panel. You'll see the positive battery cable attached to it. The starter gear actually is constantly engaged in the starter clutch. The drive gear does not throw out to catch the teeth, like on a car. The starter clutch is an over-riding or a Sprag type clutch. One way to check the starter is to locate the solenoid, and use a very heavy gauge wire or a hefty screwdriver handle, jump across the battery terminal, and the starter terminal. The starter button actually provides the ground to the energize the solenoid. The blue wire at the starter button should be power. You could actualy remove the headlight light, and and inside the headlight bucket, unplug the connector for the starter button, and jump around the button. I would check continuity/resistance through the button, and then check the black wire (ground) for good contact to the frame ground. Many components ground at the voltage regulator mounting screws. That is how the 80 Special is and I'd be willing to bet that is how the XJ is also. (I've owned and parted out two XJ's)
The fuel problem may be the enrichener (choke) ciucuit jets may be plugged. I'm not going to explain them here. Do a search on the search tab at the top of the page for enrichener circuit. It's all been covered very recently, and there is a pic from Ken Talbot that clearly shows the jet in question.

[xj11john]

Thanks for that clerification John, I havent had my starter off or any probs with it yet.

But Pepper since it does have an external solenoid I would definetly check that, and the starter button is a good thing to check as well, but I belive since you are hearing a click I would definely check the conections at the solinoid and battery connections also. good luck.

[pepper0315]

I'll start there guys, and thank you.
Hard to imagine sometimes what people did before technology such as this news group came along.

I'll keep you posted.

Andre

[MAXIMAN]

Hard to imagine sometimes what people did before technology such as this news group came along.

They were forced to go to a mechanic...or worse...try a repair via trial an error.

There has always been service manuals around to help give guidance for the repair process. But the problem usually starts with figuring out what exactly is wrong....TROUBLESHOOTING.

And that is where this forum (and many others) are sooooooooo helpful.

[pepper0315]

Thanks again for all the replies on this one guys.
Drained all the fuel from the tank, checked the bowls, (still very clean), put her all back together. Filled the tank with premium (14.00 bucks), and still wouldn't start. Pulled the plugs, and they were pretty black. Cleaned them up, put them back in, and and damn thing started right away. Well after I put a screw driver across the solenoid. I'm so happy. BTW, the new solenoid should be arriving in the next couple of weeks.
Still no license or insurance, so only riding in the parking lot at work for now. But loving it !!!!

Thanks again.