Starter issues?

Hey all - I’m not sure where to start. I have an 81 xj750 seca. When I first got it I replaced the battery and spark plugs. At first when I would turn the ignition key to on the display gauge would light up so some displays, show it was in neutral etc.
After some time it no long shows anything just lights up....

I also think my starter is bad. It won’t turn over at all.
Any input?? Thanks guys!

 

check to make sure your run/kill switch is set to run. this happens a lot.
does display for faults light up? or just the back lights?

do you hear the starter safety relay click when turning on key? and the sidestand relay click.

there is a clutch safety switch and a sidestand switch . those will need to be checked.
centerstand bike sidestand up try to start in gear . pull in clutch and press starter button

you will want to test starter button for continuity to ground , solinoid ,and starter


to test starter jump across the 2 nuts on solinoid see if it turns over.
to test starter button unplug solinoid connector. hook a meter to volts to the blue/white wire set in harness connector and second probe to positive on battery press starter button you should see 12 volts.

check ignition fuse 12 volts both sides? still using glass fuses?





is/was your bike running?

 

Hey xj550. I am not sure if the bike was running prior to me getting it.

i do know the engine is free and itll turn. before the faults would like up. example it would light up that it was in neutral. Now its just the back lights.

i dont recall here the starter safety relay click when turning the key on - maybe when it turn the run/kill switch to run? i will have to check. i bought a new starter relay but to be honest i dont think is working for the bike. with the old one i know i def. heard the starter relay click with the new one i dont hear it anymore.

There is a sidestand relay click? When should i hear this? and is there a fuse for it?

I am pretty sure i need to test the starter button.

i have tested the starter by jumping the solinoid and it wants to turn over but its not catching.

i will check the ignition fuse - and it appears to me most fuses have been upgraded the only glass fuse is i believe for the blinkers.

Thanks for your advice! let me know what you think..

 

is the battery fully charged?
link has a lot of info about relays and electronics
The Ultimate Relay, Switch, Sensor, and Diodes Guide
1981-83 XJ750 Seca and XJ750 Euro models:

Flasher: near the steering headpipe, on right side frame rail, under the right side ignition coil.
Flasher canceller: under the rear of gas tank.
Starter motor solenoid/relay: attached to and behind battery box.
Starter/Ignition cut-off relay (no color): behind coils, behind self-canceller.
Sidestand (kickstand) relay (blue): frame bracket outbound of LH frame tube, just behind the left side ignition coil.
Headlight relay (yellow): behind the left frame side cover, on the plastic regulator-rectifier mounting plate.
Diode block: inside the headlight housing.
Neutral switch: in a hole in the bottom of the crankcase, just "outside" of the oil pan, on the bottom of the engine, up inside a recessed "well".

 

Thanks for this.

battery is fully charged and holding roughly 12.5

 

• Hey xj550 take a look at the photo of my starter relay just want to make sure this is correctly hooked up. i am trying to upload a video but is that possible on here??? i was able to jump the starter relay, sprayed a little starter fluid in the carbs and it would kick over for a second and die - let me know your thoughts..

 

what is that white wire for?

starting on starter fluid is good .

have you cleaned the carbs?

 

To be honest I’m not sure what the white wire is for. I’ll take a better look and see if I can explain.

carbs have been cleaned.

 

Is there was way to upload a video??? I took one of the start up.

 

I think you have to put it on a host site

 

You’re on a Facebook group for xjs aren’t you? I think I saw ya in there...I can send ya via FB messenger?

 

sure

does the harness side connector for the solinoid have 2 wires?

you can jump voltage to the solinoid connector (disconnect from Harness and see if solinoid is good