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XJ700 Maxim doesn't start

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by Quinten Michael Permenter, May 23, 2019.

  1. Quinten Michael Permenter

    Quinten Michael Permenter Member

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    So here is the scenario. Bought a 1985 XJ700 Maxim, when I turn the key on, the headlight and everything up front work. The blinkers and all of it all work fine. But, as soon as I try to turn it on, and flip the ignition switch, the headlight goes off, the lights in the speedometer go out and I get one small click from the battery and that's it, as well as the oil light come on. I tried jumping it through a car to see if it was the batter but it still didn't turn over.
    Could it just be the oil level is low?
    could it be that it is drained of gas?
    Do I need to check the spark plugs?
    Or what kind of checklist do I need to go through to get this thing going?
    Thank you guys!!
     
  2. Colin 85 700

    Colin 85 700 Active Member

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    By ignition switch i assume you mean start button? If so..
    Sounds like something is shorted in the starter circuit, most likley the starter itself.
    Try running the pos of the jumper battery or car direct to the wire on the starter see if it cranks.
    If it does then you have to keep looking thru the start circuit, button relat solenoid etc.
     
  3. Quinten Michael Permenter

    Quinten Michael Permenter Member

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    Do you mean the starter solenoid that is located behind the battery?
     
  4. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    positive battery cable and starter cable connects to solenoid
     
  5. Nuch

    Nuch Well-Known Member

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    Need more info. Was it running prior to this current situation?

    Make sure you are not in gear with the kickstand down... the XJ 700 does exactly what you are describing if it’s NOT in neutral and the kickstand is down... In other words, your bike is doing exactly what it is designed to do.
     
  6. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    if I am reading the wiring diagram correctly the head light and speedo lights should go out when starter button is pushed.
    oil light coming on is normal it is a test of the bulb
     
    Last edited: May 23, 2019
  7. Nuch

    Nuch Well-Known Member

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    Yes. It does exactly that... just went out to the garage. I put it in gear and put the kickstand down (she’s always on the center stand). And then hit the starter button. Lights go out, and nothing else happens. Safety feature!
     
  8. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    how old is battery?
    what type battery ?
    if lead acid how is the acid level
    you need to do a voltage drop test hook a meter to battery read voltage press starter button what does voltage drop to .

    test the starter as suggested above you could have a bad starter or bad solenoid or dirty connections.

    pull out the spark plugs and isolate them from spark plug holes press starter button and see if gas sprays out of spark plug holes this will be a considerable amount of gas do not look into spark plug holes
     
  9. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    lights go out to give you extra cranking power.
    sidestand down and in gear bike will not start unless you squeeze the clutch lever.
     
  10. Nuch

    Nuch Well-Known Member

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    Agreed. The "no start" is due to the side stand switch (without the clutch pulled of course).
     
  11. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    stop trying to start bike
    first put bike on center stand look on clutch cover you will see a sight glass for oil level you should see an air bubble on the top of sight. next check fuel tank see if you do not have fuel in tank your fuel may be in crank case.

    tell us bike history. just buy the bike? was it sold to you as a non starter?
     
    k-moe and Nuch like this.
  12. Quinten Michael Permenter

    Quinten Michael Permenter Member

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    Okay, so I just went out and tried it standing up. Still nothing. I tried the horn and it only honked once very softly and then faded and wouldn't honk again.
    I also forgot to mention that I took it to an auto store this afternoon to test the battery and it gave out a full 12V BUT....the negative terminal is broken. As in, the two terminals have bolts that screw down the leads to the battery and the negative terminal is "ripped" or it doesn't close around the bolt if you know what I mean? I can send a picture if you need help visualizing it. Would that be a problem? Or because of the bolt would it be fine and still give a full charge even if it is broken doesn't encompass the bolt fully?
    Also, how would I test the starter connection? Sorry I'm used to working on Hondas and not Yamahas.
    Thanks for all of the help guys
     
  13. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    if battery terminal connection is broken and you can not make a good connection that could be your problem.

    to test starter hook negative to motor and positive to bolt that holds down cable on starter or to the bolt that holds the starter cable to solenoid.

    but check oil level and fuel in tank first.

    your oil light comes on so starter button should be good. until you can get a good battery or solid connection you can not test solenoid.

    are you using a computer or cell phone?
     
  14. Quinten Michael Permenter

    Quinten Michael Permenter Member

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    I'm using a computer right now. And I just got the bike yesterday off a guy who hadn't used it in a few years. So I'll have to check the oil level and gas. But I do know it has very little if any gas at all in it. But I thought it would at least try to crank over without gas.
     
  15. Cattleman XJ

    Cattleman XJ Member

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    Not a Honda vs Yamaha thing

    If you don’t have a good ground connection then a charged battery won’t do you any good. A bad connection (positive or ground) will mimic a dead or dying battery.

    If your starter is toast it can also draw so much current that everything will pull down and mimic a dead or dying battery.

    As others have pointed out, oil levels and quality need to be established firsthand. If something doesn’t look right, fix it first
     
  16. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    we do need to establish terminology.
    where key goes is ignition switch.
    button to turn over motor is starter button
     
  17. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    check your inbox at top right of page


    we now have a base line to help find your problems.
    I think you are saying your negative battery cable is broken.
    if you want to see if motor is seized or stuck take the left crank cover off and use a wrench to turn the square bolt counter clock wise
     
    Last edited: May 23, 2019
  18. Quinten Michael Permenter

    Quinten Michael Permenter Member

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    So if I test the starter and it kicks over then it would be the battery that is bad and I would need to replace that. Right?
     
  19. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    is it the terminal that is broken or the negative cable connector.

    if the bike has been sitting for a few years you will need a new battery.
    if you jump start from a car do not have the car running

    no trying to crank it over until you have checked oil level
     
  20. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    Battery.
    Battery.
    Battery.
    Unless it is good nothing else electrical can be diagnosed properly.
     
    Colin 85 700 likes this.

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