82 xj650j, nothing on the starter, difficult to get running

Hey all, this is my first post and any suggestions you have, please dumb them down for me. Never owned a bike and am a newbie to repairs.

My first problem is that my bike won't stay running when it's cold. If I feed fuel directly into manifold boot for a minute or two when it tries to die, then it warms up and runs like a dream. Lots of power, sounds great. Let it sit for two hours, and the same problem creeps up again. Good spark, good compression, not sure what to look at next.

Just the other day the bike wouldn't start at all. I replaced the battery and the solenoid and still nothing. If I make the connection with a screwdriver on the solenoid, then it turns over strong. But nothing on the starter button. My guess would be wiring. Is that where I should be looking next?

Any help is appreciated, thanks.

 

Re: 82 xj650j, nothing on the starter, difficult to get runn

welcome!

first problem sounds like the enrichment circuit is clogged, see the link below for instructions on how to clean it:

HOW TO: Clean the Enrichment Circuit Well

second problem sounds like either your starter button on the handlebar is corroded and not making proper contact or its connector (inside the headlight?). you will need to open up the controls on the right side to clean the button contacts if that is the problem. if it looks ok, pull the front of the headlight (2 screws usually) and look for corroded connectors. clean them up and fill with dielectric grease to help prevent the same problem from happening in the future.

cheers,

Trev

 

Re: 82 xj650j, nothing on the starter, difficult to get runn

Thanks for that , Trev. It actually sounds like it might be something even I can tackle. I'll give it a go and keep you posted. Thanks again.

 

Re: 82 xj650j, nothing on the starter, difficult to get runn

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but just had a quick question that may be related to his starter issue. When you press the start button, how long of a delay should there be before it starts to crank? I press mine and it's at least 1, almost 2 seconds before it starts to crank. Right before it does, the oil light comes on, but again, it's 1-2 seconds after I press and hold the start button.

Is this normal? or is it a sign of an electrical problem? The bike has done this the 7 years I've owned it, once it starts cranking it cranks til it starts without an issue. If I stop and try again, it has the same delay before it cranks.

Should I try cleaning the starter switch? When I bought it there was no button and the PO was using a screw to make the contact. I quickly bought a button, but did not clean it then like I probably should have.


Thanks,

BTC

 

Re: 82 xj650j, nothing on the starter, difficult to get runn

hi, i've never noticed a delay on any of my bikes, it should be instantaneous. does the solenoid "click" and does it happen at the beginning or the end of the 1-2 second delay? if it clicks right away but the starter takes a second to engage, the starter may have a bad connection or need cleaning/maintenance. if the click happens at the end of the delay, the problem is likely with the solenoid or the connection to it. if it doesn't click but still engages, the solenoid could be sticking slightly or have a weak coil causing slowed operation.

cheers,

Trev

 

Trev, I've tried cleaning all of the connectors I'd associate with the starter, but still nothing. I did forget to mention that my headlight is no longer working, neither dim nor bright. Does this make a difference in what you'd suggest?

D.

 

Re: 82 xj650j, nothing on the starter, difficult to get runn

ok, for the starting problem, have you tried it with the clutch in? also, does your neutral light come on when in neutral? if clutch in doesn't help and the neutral light works, you may have a bad "starter circuit cut-off relay". do you have a multimeter to test it?

for the headlight problem, do your meter lights work? if so, it is likely the hi/lo beam switch not making connection. otherwise i would suspect the headlight relay or the fuse.

cheers,

Trev

 

Re: 82 xj650j, nothing on the starter, difficult to get runn

Alright Trev, scratch what I said before. I've got the girl starting, it's still tough when she's cold, but when I get a chance I'll get the carbs cleaned and have a look at your earlier suggestions.

Thanks again,
d.