engine shutting down???

hey , my 1980 xj650 maxim has an annoying problem!!! I was kind of unsure if I liked this bike but the more I ride it and solve it's problems(sat for a cpl of years)the more i just love it! The problem is that the engine will just shut down as if I had hit the kill switch while riding but generally only until it warms up fully.It almost always occurs after about a 1/2 a mile or so down the road, it just shuts off, I then turn the key off and back on while coasting and it is usually fine after that. But occasionally
it will do it several times(annoying as heck) but eventually it becomes normal.I have cleaned out the ignition switch front and back ,all seems fine all other connections are good. Anyone have any thoughts on this other than the obvious???Help wwill be most appreciated!

 

Check your safety relay. Mine was going bad in my Maxim and it'd die and wouldn't restart until I flipped the kickstand down and back up. Made my headlight not function as well. Not sure about other advice, but that's one easy spot I'd check...

 

can't be that because this bike never had one or so I'm told by our local forum experts, I still suspect the ignition switch and may just replace it anyway's

 

You might also take a peek at the wires in the kill switch/ignition circuit. Any of them chaffed and arching against the frame?

 

How's your fusebox? If it's original it might not be holding the fuse snugly.

 

Do the lights stay on? If so, I'd bet on TCI module.

 

Hi,hooligan. My bike exhibited the same symptoms.At first I thought it was fuel starvation,but it ultimately ended up being a short in the battery. I replaced the battery,and never had that problem again. Good luck,and ride safe.

 

some very good suggestions !! the fuse box has been changed to the new blade type and all have been replaced with new fuses just in case,I'll recheck the kill switch circuit's again to be sure and as for the lights being on or off????? I'm really not sure as I was always riding at the time during the day. I'll check that out and if that's the problem then it's an easy fix(have a replacement just in case).

 

Hey danno , just put in a new battery a month ago , it was doing it before and after so i doubt it, thanks for that anyway

 

What you are describing seems to be exactly what this guy wrote about on his website. Check this out. http://members.tripod.com/dave_jack/id41.htm

Rob

 

Look closely at the Switches that are part of the Safety Circuit. Since this happens when the Engine is running ... I'd have a close look at the Sidestand Unit.

Look for:
Cleanliness

Pull the rubber boot away and give it a shot of WD-40 inn there.
Check that the Rod sections aren't binding.
Undo the two screws and pull the Rod out.
Clean ~ Lube.
Look at the Tunnel the Rod travels through on the Frame portion of the Side stand.
Clean that out and put some waterproof grease in it before reassembling the whole works.

If this isn't what's shutting you down ... you'll have to hold an August Multi-meter and Test Light Festival ... and troubleshoot the Ignition System.

You can jump to the very end of the Trouble Shooting Guide and see how she runs on a Igniter known to be good.

That might be the cure.
One way or another ... it'll get solved.

There's people here that can crack a Igniter and put-in new Transistors.
Not only will the Bike run better with the TCI re-soldered and getting new Transistors ...

Your Bike will pick-up Rock-'n-roll Stations you couldn't tune-in, before!!!

 

I was hoping RickCoMatic would pipe in with his 2 cents, I was under ther impression that my 1980 did not have a safety switch but I will check closely anyway and clean all switches 1st. One note that I had not mentioned is that it will shut down while the stand is down while idling and with the stand up(obviously) while riding.
I will follow up with my results.Thanks guys

 

I looked at the 80 Drawing.
No sidestand switch.

Now you're forced to troubleshoot the ignition.

That means a lot of connections have to be checked for power and continuity.
I've never been lucky and found the Battery Terminal loose or the Ignition switch dirty.

 

maybe I should just pop in my back up TCI and if that fixes it Great! Thanks for that info Rick
Also thought I would show you apic of my "Barn" Bike, unfortunately I did not get a before pic(too excited cleaning it up)

 

here s the pic

 

sorry attachement didn't work

 

OK so I changed the TCI with my spare and darned if it didn't do it once again?? So I put the original one back in and cleaned up the kill switch with WD40 (looked a bit rusty) and now so far so good,last 2 mornings it has not shut down .Maybe we finally have it ,I'll keep my fingers crossed.

 

trying again

 

Great looking bike! Looks like the chrome is in really good shape, too.

 

Well thanks Gamuru, yes most of the chrome cleaned up nicely ,the whole bike cleaned up great considering it was totally covered in birds**t from sitting in the barn I took rescued it out of.

 

is the problem fixed?

 

Yes sorry I forgot to post a follow up. Changed the TCI and now all is good,with the exception of a minor little carb issue that will be dealt with asap

 

so the TCI was bad.

if you are not doing anything with it I'll take it off your hands for some research.