86 Maxim X completely dead- no power to bike- battery fine

I rode to work and lunch with no problems, but when leaving, it wouldn't start. I've got no lights, indicators, horn, anything. It's as if the battery is not connected.

I've swapped the battery, tried push starting it, no luck, same condition. Checked the fuses and connections that I could easily get to in the ramp, and pulled the cover off the dash panel where the indicator lights are, each of the fuses are good.

Does anyone have any next steps to isolate when trying to troubleshoot this thing? Any fuses, fusable links or relays that are hidden that would cause this condition?

Thanks for your insights.

 

the ignition switch.

the connector is inside the headlight bucket. see if you got power to the switch. if so, you might be able to take a paper clip and touch the power slot to other slots and see if anything comes on. if none of the slots have power then youi need to figure out why nothing is going to the switch to turn anything on.

 

First.. Is the clock on? If so, you've got to look on the far side of the ignition switch, if it isn't then the problem is between your battery and the clock.. The red wire basically goes battery, fuse, clock, so if the clock is off, it's fairly simple to track.. Test the voltage at the red wire into the clock, against a black wire, if that's zero, test at the fuse, both sides, then at the place where the battery connects (there's a joint in the wire between the fuse and the battery, that may have come loose..

Somewhere in this you will start getting a voltage, your problem is somewhere between these things..

If EVERYTHING is dead, My bet is either the joint in the wire has come loose or the fuse is dead..

 

Thanks for the replies; just seeing them now, but just got back from a buddy's "shop", and it is fixed!

I kept following the red wire from the battery through the 30A fuse and into the loom. While there was some rubbing in a couple of spots in front of the airbox and below the gas tank, there was no damage. Got into the headlight bucket and, long story short, there was power at one side of a connector, but not at the other (output). As I was manipulating it to take it apart (it was still locked), my parking lights lit up. Looks like the main connector in the headlight bucket was ever so slightly loose. I just confirmed everything was OK inside, then reconnected it and zip tied it snug. It is now up and running great, as it always had!

Sorry for the drawn out explanation, just wanted to make sure I explained my check points, the location of the issue and the solution in case anyone else has a similar issue.

On a side note, I don't have a clock, but would love one. In what position is your clock at? I have 3 chrome guage pods- the speedo and tach are the large ones, and the smaller one is a temp guage... is that a clock on yours?

Thanks again for the feedback!

 

Mackey,

The Maxim-X didn't have a stock clock. There may be a way to wire one in but I've not heard of anyone doing it. I just bought a $3.00 half-dollar size digital clock at Advance Auto and used the velcro tape that came with it to mount it to the plastic cap on one of my forks. I doubt it will withstand a rainstorm but if no, then I'll just buy another.

 

Thanks Artie- yeah, I knew the Maxim X didn't have one- more or less just my curious side wondering about Swissjon's bike as to which model it was, and if it had a similar instrument cluster, if the clock was in that central spot (assuming his was an air cooled Maxim or other model.

I've been meaning to do exactly what you did with adding a batter operated clock. I like your location- glad to know it works well for you. I'm thinking about a handlebar swap next to something a bit straighter, will likely add a clock around that same time.

 

My bike is a 42M 1985 Swiss XJ750. One of only 100 made. It has the frame from an xj900 with a bikini fairing. The clock is inside the temperature guage, but the buttons have stopped working, so I have to disconnect the battery and reconnect it at precisely 12.00 to set the clock. I'd much prefer your Crome dials, mine are plastic.

 

Re: 86 Maxim X completely dead- no power to bike- battery fi

Hey Swissjon, post up some pictures or a link to same. Sounds like a unique bike if only 100 were made, share with the rest of us mere mortals. :roll:
:twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

 

I already did LoL.. I don't think it's that unique.. Just a 750 engine jammed inside a 900 frame.. Wish it was the otherway round LoL..

http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=24524.html

It no longer looks like this, most of the fairings are in pieces on my table in the garden being repaired and repainted, the bike had been in several accidents in its lifespan, and nobody had done anything more than bodge it.. I'll post more photos when I'm done with the spary cans.. Been clearcoating some bits today, so it won't be long