Random XT problems
 

Hi

Have a mild problem with the XT600E (a 3TB with a 3AJ cylinder head on it).

In that the trouble is starting it, once you start it , it runs fine no problems at all.

But every now and again , it has starting issues, I replaced the starter relay in Calais 12000 miles ago. (its not the fuse vibing loose as I have taped it into the holder)and it has been fine until now....

These are the symptoms experienced so far:

Leaving Irkusk , I stopped to camp , so hit the kill switch as the key ring was jammed in a funny position so the key was hard to turn, it kept on running, so I turned the key it kept on running so I stalled it in 1st .With a sort of powering down sound which was odd....

Next morning the battery and starter sound weak for some reason , but it starts on full choke after 2 seconds on the button.

Get to Ulan Ude and pass the city entirely for the border stop on a hill , and the starter wont work at all , it clicks ....flat battery me thinks but I just rode 300km should have charged it plenty. It bumps fine.

Get to the border and the bike goes funny , I press the starter and it turns the motor over for a second then clicks out as if the battery is flat, I leave the bike to rest for an hour (while I'm trapped in customs) and it starts up as if nothing is wrong and the battery is fine:confused1:. And has been fine for a while.

Today while leaving Choir (next to the Gobi desert) bike fires up fine first time, I decide to stop for about half an hour and watch a horseman herd his sheep , with the bikefacing the wind....(3rd start of the day)

Once the horseman is out of sight I push the starter and it starts but sounds really really rough , and is inconsistant sort of misfiring rumble not quite running. I try again same thing , and it stalls with a pop.

I tear off the side panel and check the connections , starter relay , fuse, battery terminals the earth terminal , the mystery black wire etc have a poke around. The bike then starts on full choke first time.


Any ideas as to what is causing this? , some light fingered sod has my bike manual and thus I cannot diagnose this myself.

I can't imagine its bad fuel or dirty, as this would cause problems while running also and I put a new fuel filter in 4000 miles ago.

Can't imagine its vapour lock as the engine doesn't spin as if its out of fuel.

Cant imagine the engine is being overcooled by the wind since each occassion the starting troubles have occured are when its windy , or cool , but never in heavy heavy rain.

Any ideas? , I'm getting paranoid of 1 stopping the bike (and have been filling it up with the engine on which petrol station folks don't like) , and taking it anywhere remote.

:helpsmilie:Note I only have enough tools with me to fix puctures and two screw drivers and thus can't be doing any serious surgery on the bike.

Im not an expert but you can find the owners manual here http://www.moto-andalucia.com/data/d...ers_Manual.pdf

It has some troubleshooting charts at the last pages,though not very advanced.

Well, I think one of these days your bike will try to start it's self even without ANY KEY inserted!

Check your solenoid! I bet it is starting to give up!

Vando :innocent:

i can think of 3 things that will cause those kind of problems.
1. main power and earth leads from the battery, check all connections are clean and tight.
2. starter solenoid, try starting it via bridging the two main terminals with a screwdriver make sure you are in neutral as it bypasses the safety start system if it spins over better the solenoid is on its way out.
3. starter motor, the brushes and/or the armature could be worn so might have a dead/damaged spot so when it stops in that position it draws more power and cant spin up properly so needs an overhaul.
if 1+2 are ok 3's your problem :thumbdown:

Hey Kennichi,

I was wondering if you had any extra electrical components installed, like extra spot lights, extra horn (two horns, instead of just one - works a treat with taxi drivers!) because perhaps the problem you have is a drain on the electrical system. The charging system may not be up to all those extra's.
Dunno. Just a thought. If so, disconnect em if you can do without them, for now.

cheers
Dubbs. :mchappy:

Loose wires , lots of them , the XT600 has been subject to many theft attempts (often caught in the act) , a few of the wires under the tank had been partially cut through and shorting against the frame causing strange running.

Thanks for the help guys , much appreciated.

I think its electrical....

Relay clicking is insufficient voltage to switch it ! You battery probably isnt charging properly or it has a bad cell.


As you say, the electrics are a mess so you already know whats wrong with it...