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Not so mighty Maxim

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by minnMaxim, Mar 20, 2007.

  1. minnMaxim

    minnMaxim Member

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    I am having trouble starting my Maxim for the first time this season. I just changed the filter and added three quarts of oil. I try to start the bike, but all the bike is doing is giving me is oil level low. I just put three quarts in so this shouldn't be the problem. Anyone got any advice?
     
  2. biggmeany2000

    biggmeany2000 Member

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    I would check your oil level sending unit. It may act as a safety device to keep you from starting it. In the event that you were low this would be a good thing.
     
  3. Riens

    Riens New Member

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    The Oil indicator light bulb lights up when you push the starter switch.
    After you release the switch and the engine is running the oil light indicator will dim.
     
  4. minnMaxim

    minnMaxim Member

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    I Tried to start the bike again today after letting it sit with the petcock at "pri" It did the same thing. When i turn the key the green light comes on for nuetral. When it try to turn it over it makes a rrrrrr sound and the oil level light comes on. It would give me some hope if the bike turned over.

    When I was putting the bike away at the end of last season it was flashing "oil level " when the bike was running. Even when the oil level was perfectly fine. Does this mean it is the sensor at the bottom of the enginge?
     
  5. Dispatcher

    Dispatcher Member

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    Certainly sounds like a faulty oil switch. I recently picked up a replacement switch for my Seca, which functioned fine, but was leaking oil. The switch uses a ball to sense the level in the oil pan, and if the ball gets gummed up it easily gets stuck, which could indicate a low oil level, even with a full crankcase. Wouldn't surprise me a bit if there was a safety built in to prevent starting in such cases. Unfortunately, to check the switch, you need to drop the exhaust. Once it's out, a quick shake will tell you if the ball is stuck.
     
  6. Riens

    Riens New Member

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    This is what the manual (XJ700) says about the oil level indicator;

    ‘If it remains displayed or flickering while riding, add engine oil at the first opportunity’.

    I have taken a look at the electrical wiring diagram but can’t find any safety built in to prevent starting the engine if oil level is low.
     
  7. Russxlr8s

    Russxlr8s Member

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    Do you just hear a Humm, or is there a loud clicking sound with the starter button. more info will help to diagnose the problem. Can you turn the engine with the back wheel and in a high gear? Where's the oil level in the window?
     
  8. Hvnbnd

    Hvnbnd Active Member

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    You could try jumpering across the switch to give it a closed indication, then you could see if the engine would start.

    If It does then I'd try to flush the engine extensively, then change the oil and filter. That might desludge the ball and alow the switch to work, then you could undo the jumper wire.

    Good Luck
     
  9. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

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    Get a few of your friends together ... and "Rock" the bike "Way-over" ... to the left and right a few times.

    Then, Rock it over - left and right, again ... but, not "way-over".
    Do back and forth rolling ... jam on the front brakes to stop.
    DON'T dump it. But, do give it a good shaking around.

    Cross your fingers and give it a shot.
    -------------
     
  10. minnMaxim

    minnMaxim Member

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    I thought I might give some more information to solve the problem. The thing that I am hearing is a humming sound when I am trying to start the bike. It only does the first time that I try to start the bike. After the first time I just get red oil level light. Sometimes the light isn't even that bright.

    I have a couple more questions. I have worked on countless cars and never any bikes. So I could jump something or drop something, I would just need a little assistance. I also have the clymers book. So:

    How do I go about jumping the bike?
    Is there a way to bypass the sensor?
    How big of a job is it to drop the exhaust?

    Thanks a lot for the help already.
     
  11. Riens

    Riens New Member

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    Hello minnMaxim,

    I would like to help you, but to be able to help you I need to know more about the year and model of your bike and I need information about the condition of your bike.

    First concern is trying to get your bike up and running and to get this done I want to try diagnosing the problem by building up a list of questions and answers.

    So if you like this let me know
     
  12. KiwiXJ750D

    KiwiXJ750D Member

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    Try jumpstarting the bike. Use a car battery but do not have the car running (you can cook your TDI). I use a spare car battery. Make sure the bike is off before connecting battery. If the bike then turns over the battery has a low charge. Don't use a car charger as they can damage a bike battery.

    If battery OK then...

    If starter still does not turn over remove battery lead and then starter. Connect jumper leads to starter motor while getting someone to hold motor tight, if it truns over freely it will try to jump out of your hands, if it does the starter is probably OK.

    Make sure the oil level is OK, level surface, center stand, cold, level at top of sight window.
     
  13. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

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    OK ... before we call-in the artillery ... let's try a simple experiment to see what's up with the bike.

    Get it on the center stand.
    Neutral.
    Side stand UP.
    Pull-away rubber dust cover on side stand switch ... douche-out with WD-40.
    Pull switch activating rod out.
    Disconnect SAFETY Circuit Relay. Relay is mounted under frame center tube ... Ahead of where the Fuel Tank bolts-down ... suspended in a rubber mount to the rear of the large rectangular signal flasher unit.

    All safety circuit related devises will be disabled.

    Ignition ON
    Double-ck Neutral.
    Short across High Tension Posts on Starter Solenoid.

    Bike should fire-up.
    No? Test for 12V to coils
    12V - Yes? Ck coils.
    Test for start substituting Ignitor with one known to be good.
    12V - No? Ck wiring, fuse related, ign switch and kill switch.
     
  14. MiCarl

    MiCarl Active Member

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    If it doesn't spin look check the battery and connections to it.
     
  15. minnMaxim

    minnMaxim Member

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    :oops: I feel really embarsed but the whole problem was my battery. I guess I really am a biker wanabe. I didn't expect it because I didn't hear a clicking sound. However, when I checked the battery there was almost no water in it.

    I refilled the water and it now turns over. I will work on starting it sometime tomorrow. I has sat all winter so starting it will not be as easy chore.

    Thanks everyone for all your help.
     
  16. Ease

    Ease Member

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    Same thing happened to me this year, so don't feel too bad.
    The bike was doing what you are describing. Had the battery on charge overnight, same problem... Then DUH, it was completely dry.

    Although it isn't my ONLY problem... Dang thing still needs to be tuned.
     

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