electric cuts out on 82 xj750 seca

Got the bike up and running, will give her some more love this winter, but the engine runs now. A few weeks later, the bike starts shutting off on me while I'm riding (the first time I gave my wife a ride). I'll pull over and the starter wont engage but the headlights and display works. Then after a minute or so, it will work again.

This happened again a couple days later and noticed that it wasnt firing right and that it would run differently if the plastic fender over the battery is removed. Figured it must be a loose wire or something but other people said it could be a faulty rectifier. Any ideas?

 

Check the fuse box as well. and the termanials on the battery post. like you said it does sound like it as wiring issue somewhere, but where is the question.

but being im new, not 100% sure , but its where i would start.

 

"the starter won't engage but the headlights and display work."

First off, wiring anywhere is a possibility; however, the fact that the starter won't engage points to: the safety circuit.

If the bike thinks the sidestand is down, it won't let the starter spin.

If the bike thinks it's in gear, it won't let the starter spin UNLESS the clutch lever is pulled in.

The "killswitch" (OFF/RUN/OFF) also disables the starter when it's "OFF."

Based on frequency of failure (and the way it's happening) I would suspect a flaky sidestand switch before anything else; then the other components of the safety circuit (neutral switch, clutch switch, sidestand relay, safety relay) or associated wiring.

 

I had the same problem on my 82`and it was my side stand switch. It was not alligned correctly and sometimes it would engage and other times it would not. It turned out to be a simple adjustment and I have not had a problem since.

 

I just went through this. Found that the rubber boot covering the side stand switch rod has split, allowing moisture in. I disconnected the side stand relay - no problems. Although I've never needed the side stand safety switch, I still value it and will service or replace it asap. The wiring colors didn't ring real true from the shop manual. However, the 4-wire connector on the maxim sits right by the TCI unit behind the left side cover. One wire color matched the manual L/Y (blue with yellow line). It's an easy test to put the bike on the center stand and disconnect the connector, start engine and test to see if it is the side stand switch.

 

Nice call gents, that pin was bent and shoved to the side so it always thought it was up and it probably would disturb the position if i hit a bump just right. Haven't gone on a ride yet, but if you don't hear from me, that means it worked.

Thank You