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Wont start with button

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by SLKid, Feb 9, 2010.

  1. SLKid

    SLKid Active Member

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    When i hit the start button the light dims and the oil light clicks on (normal) but no spark.
    When I turn the key i hear one click. I bought a solenoid off ebay that was said to have worked. So, i start the bike with the old solenoid, and its starts are sometimes erratic, so i figured new solenoid time. Remove old solenoid, install used one, and it tries to cough over once. Then nothing ever again from the button. I jumped the solenoid and she starts. Ok, darn i bought a bad solenoid. Install old Solenoid and still nothin... ?? So i replace all the fuses including main just cause and still nothin. Went through the wires near TCI and start button and cleaned them all out. Still nothing..
    So should I just buy one of those farm tractor universal solenoids and try that? Or could it be like a TCI issue?
     
  2. markie

    markie Member

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    This is very similar to a post a couple of weeks ago. Look at the wiring diagram of your manual. You can think of the starting circuit as two actual circuits. A heavy current circuit from the battery, through the solenoid and to the starter motor AND a light current circuit from ignition switch, through any safety or cut out relays and to the control side of the solenoid.

    Is the solenoid coming in every time (Loud click from behind the battery) but the motor does not turn over when you press the starter button? If Yes, then the solenoid (Or possibly starter motor) is at fault. Make sure the battery is fully charged.

    Or, if the solenoid is not energising then it could be the sidestand switch, relay or starter button. Use a tester/meter to find where the voltage is missing. The previous poster found a loose connection.
     
  3. Stamplicker

    Stamplicker Member

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    Obvious, but maybe it's the start button? or kill switch?
     
  4. bluewire38

    bluewire38 New Member

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    i'm going though the same proplem on my 81 midnite i installed a diffrent switch didn't help i'm thinking a bad ground some where i'll let you know or if you found the proplem let me know
     
  5. SLKid

    SLKid Active Member

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    Well time to unwrap the wires and bust out the Voltmeter. She starts up REAL nice when I jump the solenoid. I jsut bought a universal lawn mower one for it so I know its good. 10 bucks. Hopefully its just a loose connection. I need new controls anyway, but prefer not to be forced to buy em
     
  6. Lou627

    Lou627 Member

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    If it starts up fine when jumped, I'm pretty certain it's your solenoid. If it was tci related it wouldn't start or run well. Bad start button or solenoid.
     
  7. SLKid

    SLKid Active Member

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    Start button is fine, I think. Anyone know what each wire is supposed to read out at? Got a brand new solenoid. I think its a relay... How do you ground out the Sidestand relay?? Thats one of the things I havent checked yet.
    I have the start button apart, and I took a little peice of wire and jumped all the connections and still got nothing. So has to be my safety senors somewhere... Hmm

    EDIT: By i get nothing I mean the oil light clicks on like usual but no go on starter

    I hate Wiring troubleshooting... Stuff confuses me sometimes.
    So if I took a piece of wire and put it in the + and - of my relay harness clip thing it'll cancel itself out right? ~sigh~ would just love to hear her start from the button. She sounds fanTASTIC when she's runnin. My winter tune up paid off
    -Chris
     
  8. markie

    markie Member

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    SL, If you can pm me - or post here - a copy of your wiring diagram I might be able to help better.

    Obviously, they made lots of different XJs and they ended up in different countries with different specs. The 700 didn't come to the UK!

    If you are convinced the button is good and so is the solenoid then it's likely to be a bad connection in the loom but you will need the diagram to find it.
     
  9. SLKid

    SLKid Active Member

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    Anyone know how to ground the sidestand relay? I dont really need it
     
  10. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    You can simply unplug any of the safety relays to effectively bypass them.
     
  11. parts

    parts Member

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    Have you taken the switch ass'y apart just to eliminate a short?
    Mine acted similar and it turned out the head light wires shorted.
    The burned wire eventualy affected the start-switch wire.
     

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