No ignition on my 1982 XJ750 :-/

Hi guys, for the first time in her 8500 miles my Maxim is letting me down.

After being parked in the rain last night I tried starting her this morning, turned the key, lights came on for one second and everything died.
I started trouble shooting and already checked:
-the switch by hot wiring the ignition,
-checked the kill switch for corrosion,
-fuses are all good,
-I measured all the connectors,
-battery is fully charged,
-ignition coils have a slightly higher resistance but that also might be my cheap multi meter from Horrible Freight.
-Grounds are also good

I don't know what to look for anymore, any advise is highly appreciated

 

and

I doubt #2, something got wet or jiggled or.........if your bike still has the original "glass-tube" style fuses/fusebox, the metal fuseholder clips can get fatigued and make poor contact (even though they LOOK intact). Double-check the main fuse, and plan on upgrading the fusebox!

 

Well I shorted the fuses with a piece of copper wire to test them and made no difference but upgrading the fusebox is on the list

 

you need to jump to crimps on wire NOT fuse clips they crack use this with proper fuse in it

 

do you have 12 volts at main fuse?
then with key on 12 volts at other fuses?
if you answer yes then no it could be the key switch.

 

So now when I turn the key the dash comes to life, I hear the starter cut off relay clicking but when I push the starter nothing happens. I have 12V on the main fuse but nothing on the head, signal and ignition fuse.
I really appreciate the help guys. Electrical issues is one of my worst fears, I rather have my engine spraying oil all over the place than to have to look for a single faulty solenoid or loose connector

 

Replace the fuse clips, or upgrade the box to ATC fuses.

WHen you are checking for voltage at the fuses are you checking the wires at both sides of the fuse? The bike has all the fuses wired inline on the positive lead, so if you check the wrong side you may not see 12v if there is a break at a fuse clip, or a fuse has blown under the cap where you can't see it.

 

I think I can narrow the problem down to the starter solenoid because after I gave it a couple good taps with a screwdriver the dashboard went out again

 

The starter solenoid is not electrically connected to the instrument lights.

Fuse clips. They get brittle. They crack. Then they make intermittent connections. Replace or upgrade.

 

It's alive!!! It was a combination of a corroded battery lead and a faulty starter solenoid. I cleaned up the battery leads and I got ignition but still didn't turn over. I hooked up the control leads of the solenoid to the battery and it didn't click, wired the cable going to the starter directly to the battery and it fired right up. I'm a very happy camper right now

 

you could just use a quarter to jump the leads or an old screw driver.
you should clean and lube EVERY connector you disconnect
electrical spray cleaner and dielectric grease.