wiring help Problem Solved ( Loose wire )

Anyone have a wiring diagram of some sort for a 81 xj 550? Electric start not working and the wiring is a birds nest

 

Re: wiring help

There is a guy that has them on line. Problem is his web site is in disrepair so it's a little tricky to get them. One of these days I'm going to grab them and host them myself.

To get them you need to first click THIS link to open his page (which links to the diagrams don't work).

Then you can open the 2 parts to the diagram by pasting the following URLs into the address bar of the window his page is displayed on (the hosting provider prevents external references).

members.tripod.com/dave_jack/wiringdiag/d1a.jpg
members.tripod.com/dave_jack/wiringdiag/d1b.jpg

 

Re: wiring help

The electric start does'nt work out all day riding and worked fine at the end of the day had to bump start a couple times. Is there a relay of somesort I hear clicking when I turn from ON to OFF it looks like a relay. The PO had a rats nest going.

 

Re: wiring help

Yes there is. It is the starter relay/solinoid. It is behind the right side cover on the left of the battery compartment. it is cylinder shaped, usually, and has two battery cable like posts facing you when you look in at it. It is about 2 inches wide. One of the posts runs a wire from the battery to the post. The other runs to the starter. The easiest way to see if it the solinoid is to turn the key on and put a screwdriver or key or something across the two posts. If the starter turns... you have a bad solinoid. $35 and easy to replace. If you can't find it, let me know... I'll take a few pics.

 

Re: wiring help

PM me with your email address and I'll hook you up.

 

Re: wiring help

Check this post - http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic ... iring.html

I posted an xj550 wiring diagram - although i think it's a European model.

 

Re: wiring help

I arced the selinoid with a screw driver and she fired right up. Is it the start button itself?

 

Re: wiring help

no... the solenoid is bad. If it is arcing then the innards of the solenoid arn't causing current flow when you push the button. Solenoids are a pretty common replacement.
You said you heard the clicking when you pushed the button. Your button is fine.
Go grab a new solenoid or order one from xj4ever. Its in the forums. You'll have the parts within 2-4 days.
Til then... If you really gotta ride, arc the solenoid to start it or pop start it the way you did before.

 

Re: wiring help

It could be, or the wiring. In neutral, with the side stand up press the start button. If you hear a click from the solenoid as you press the start button but the starter motor does not spin then it is the solenoid at fault.

If there is no click then suspect wiring, button or possibly safety relay. At this point you'll really want the exact wiring diagram for your model of bike.

 

Or you can do like I did and remove all those annoying safety switches that can pi$$ you off at times.
I feel if forget to have my bike in nuetral with the kickstand up and the clutch pulled in before starting it, I shoudn't be riding it. In my opinion, safety switches are for beginners anyways.
Removing switches and relays made trouble shooting a whole lot easier for me.
Yes, they were put there for a reason (new rider/owner, in-experienced riders, poeple who don't know much about how things work, etc.), but once you know your bike inside and out (like some of us) you find that some things are just not needed anymore. The wiring harness can be made a whole lot simpler by eliminating most of the safety crap they come with stock.
*Starter switches can be replaced with after market switches that last longer/work better. Starter solenoids can be replaced with small engine solenoids that work just as well for a fraction of stock EOM solenoids. Plastic connectors can be eliminated by soldering wires and using heatshrink which makes alot better/perminent connection, eliminating electrical problems down the road and saving your self some headaches. Just a thought.
Stock bikes suck.

 

Re: wiring help

He said the solenoid was clicking when he pushed the button. It won't click when the side stand, clutch, or shut-off switch is activated

 

Right! I instinctively pull the clutch any time I am starting. Removing safety switches also leaves room for other wiring for accessories.

 

Hey painter, I want to do this! Care to do a 'How To'??? I'm not bad but far from an motorcycle electrical genious & don't wanna make a mistake or fry something