start switch/button

The start button on my 82 seca 750 is hit and miss. I have to press it over and over again sometimes it fires up the starter most of the time nothing. When it doesn't work it does dim the lights a little so some power is going somewhere. Help my thumb hurts

 

How is the condition of your battery? Is it fully charged? Have it tested at a autoparts store.
Next I would look at the starter, take it apart and inspect the brushes they are probably worn out.

 

sounds like it could also be a bad ground

 

Open up the starter button and check the connections. I had a similar problem. When I shook it, I could get it to work sometimes. When I opened mine up, the connections looked good, but there was some rust. WD-40 fixed that rust right up and start button works great. (Other suggestions sound good too).

 

I have had a similar issue. My 650 Max left me standing there a few times and all it ended up being was corrosion on the button. Open the handlebar cluster up and dissect the starter button. You will find a little dish/cap in there behind the button. Clean the face of it off really good with a scotchbrite pad or fine grit sand paper. Clean it off and smear a little dielectric grease on there. Reassemble and enjoy the feeling of your beast roaring to life every time you push the button.

 

another good tip is to shim the spring (or stretch it a little) that pushes the contact out from the button. Mine collapsed a little over time, and eventually stopped bridging the contacts when pressed. now it never misses

 

Like most, I agree it is probably the button itself. I had the same problem and at first I tried cleaning it out and all that and it would help for a while but then it would act up again so I just got a whole new right switch. If you can get one, do it. Then you don't ever have to worry about it again and you won't get stranded somewhere. I got both the left and right switches and having new ones also looks a lot nicer. An almost 30 year old switch is due to be changed out.....

 

Hi guys,

my headlight is working the way it should, rode over to a friend, worked fine, rode back,no go. Read in the forums that the starter butoon could be a culprit. Disassembled the starter button and now I can't put it back together. Does anyone have a schwmatic, like where the springs goes, etc.
Much appreciated
D'oooh

 

How similar is this switch to the 1982 650 maxim? If it is the same we can do a webex and look at the 3D model
FlyGp

 

I believe all the '80 to '84 XJs used the same switch.

 

Why, yes it certainly is. Virtually identical except for the connector inside the headlight shell.