XJ700 Not Starting

Brand new battery at 12.7 volts and 300 CCA.

Everything electrical works on the bike like lights horn and dash but it won't start.

Solenoid makes one single click and nothing happens. I push the starter button, one single click and silence.

Main fuse is fine. I have a voltmeter but have no clue where to start

 

I used a screwdriver to connect the solenoid terminals and nothing happens. I tried push starting it and the engine turns over but couldn't get it to start

 

1. Which XJ700? There are two; air-cooled, and watercooled.

2. 12.7 volts is a bit low. Resting voltage is typically 12.8 to 12.9. Keep your meter hooked up to to the battery terminals, press the starter button, and make note of what the battery voltage drops to.

3. Have you ever pulled the starter off and inspected the brushes?

 

If you crossed the solenoid terminals and nothing happened-not even a click-you might not have power to the solenoid so check it with a meter. Also, try bypassing the solenoid and connecting directly to the starter. If still nothing you may have a bad starter or even a bad new battery. Try jumping it with a car battery. I hate electrical problems!

 

He's got an airhead.

Carson, from the looks of previous posts by you, you had other electrical problems to sort out. Did you fix those?

Were you up and running and now this a new issue that reared it's ugly head?

 

She was finally up and running two days ago after months of time and money put into her. Went to ride today and something else has crapped out.

Voltage at solenoid is the same as the battery and does not drop at all when the start button is hit.

I don't know how to bypass the solenoid.

 

Lay a wrench or coin across the two big terminals.

 

Oh yeah. I did that and nothing happened.

Just found this so I'll read some more

http://xjbikes.com/forums/threads/how-to-test-your-starter-circuit.7828/

 

If there is voltage, your grounds are good, and you jumped the solenoid, the trouble is inside of the starter.

Replacing your starter motor brushes w/ pics

 

It is logical to think if a 12 volt battery is 50% charged the multi meter reading should be 6 volts. This is not the case. Battery voltage and state of charge is as follows.

12.66V................100%
12.45V................75%
12.24V................50%
12.06V................25%
11.89V.................0%

 

More info about lead acid batteries and charging them.
http://www.batteryuniversity.com


While 12.6 volts is considered fully charged, that is what is typicaly seen after a battery has been sitting usused for a few weeks (and the battery should be charged a that point). On a vehicle you really should be seeing 12.8 to 12.9 volts when it's being used regularly.

 

Yes battery voltage is critical because the starter motor could turn but there may not be enough power to operate the TCI. The battery is always the first component I check.

 

I bought the AGM battery a few days ago and it was definitely sitting on a shelf for awhile.

Y'all are right that it's the starter. I have to smack it with something metal to start it. I also practiced bump starting it and got it down pretty good now.

A new set of starter brushes and maybe some o rings from Chacal should be all I need?

 

Agreed

 

Oops, didn't see this before I replied......

Either that, or another starter-----