"New" Bike WON'T START - guy says it's the Solenoid...?

so... :? the guy I bought my bike from says it almost definitely needs a new solenoid in the starter and/or battery.

that it had this issue with him... but now it won't turn over at all. Worked when I rode it home for the first time 75 miles the other day...

DOES A SOLENOID SOUND LIKE A POSSIBLE LIKELY CAUSE of the bike not starting but the green light (and blinkers, at least for a bit at first) still coming on?!?

THANKS XJers!

:evil:

 

Its possible. Its also possible that it could be the kill switch, sidestand switch or clutch switch etc.

 

thanks, kill switch was on On... not sure what a sidestand switch or clutch switch are

 

guess i'll read up on checking/changing solenoid

 

There are several safety elements of the wiring that will not allow the bike to start. Some examples, the sidestande switch will prevent the starter from turning if the Kickstand is down, atleast if its in gear. Each of these sensors that cut out the ignition has a corresponding relay which can also go bad and manifest themselves as a problem with the actual safety switch.

 

Check if the spark plugs are sparking, safety cutoffs will also prevent spark as far as I understand. Pull a spark plug out, plug it in to the wire, and hold the threading or tang against metal on the engine and look for a spark.

 

Southern, pls add your bike model to your visible profile so we can assist more easily

Then read all this - exam to follow!

http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=27543.html

 

thanks, .. any xj mechanics in south florida?

i want to have the whole thing gone over and updated as much as my thin wallet will allow - braided brake cords, new quiet pipes... make sure the back break isn't delaminated... etc, etc etc...

plus some controllable LEDs for safety and awesome lumenessences...

must... resurrect the blu mile!

 

There is a nice tutorial on the disassembly and cleaning of the starter solenoid, Just put starter solenoid in the search field.

 

"I want to have the whole thing gone over" and "thin wallet" usually don't go hand in hand. It'll cost at least $500-$1000 for the couple of things you mentioned in parts (updated brakes = $2-300, tires = $150-200, exhaust really depend on what you find-$50-500). And that's not covering the manual or getting into ANY of the other typical issues you are likely to come across.

You need to be able to do all of the work yourself to make this affordable, or even worth it.

If the guy that sold it to you actually knew it was the starter solenoid, he probably could have replaced it and sold it as a running bike. Don't trust the PO on anything. I probably wouldn't even trust a mechanic who says that. USUALLY, the safety switches are the culprit if the bike won't even turn over. You can put a 12V signal on the solenoid signal wires and listen for the "click" to rule it out.

 

A solenoid can click all day long and still be bad, and there is no good way to fix them.
Look into the safety switches and relays

 

TEST the solenoid. Don't just assume.

Get a manual and diagnose; you'll go broke and drive yourself crazy guessing. A problem in the safety circuits will keep the motor from spinning over.

 

Red Liner, he did sell it as a running bike. It got me home 75 miles... worked 2 days later... then 2 days after that wouldn't turn on. When I texted the guy he called me and told me it was likely the solenoid as he knew the bike had an issue with that... I'll start with the tutorial on that.

 

What year and what model? You need the right manual for the bike and then search the forums.....There are many very capable XJ 'ers right here who can help. There are links for spares and advice til it comes out of your ears......I have not actively ridden since 1982.....I got my XJ650 Seca because I read up on it befrore I bought...and I found this forum....The only other group I have worked with were the folks at bassboatcentral.com when I renovated a Ranger.....they were great.....and so are the folks here! So, time to get your hands a little bit dirty....save and learn...does'nt get any better than this!

Dave

 

sounds good, where's that pesky 650 manual?

 

You can get the Haynes or a factory service manual from chacal. He's the parts supplier for most of us on here, and has just about anything you'd ever think you needed, and a lot of things you don't know you need. Click the XJ4Ever banner at the top of the page.

Best to have both manuals, and doesn't hurt to do a search on here or ask us first, the manuals have mistakes, but we've already figured those out for you.

Or you can keep an eye on ebay.