Dead XT

**BlackDogZulu** · #1 20 Jun 2009

I've had a misfire develop recently, but only occasionally, so it's the 'intermittent fault' problem - it's never there when I get the chance to look for it. It's a bit like flipping the kill switch on and off - it misses for a couple of beats and then carries on as if nothing had happened. I've checked all the wires and connections, and I was beginning to suspect the coil, but tonight it has died completely - about 2 miles from home, with a couple of big hills in the way! I think the problem could be a simple one. It starts and idles fine, but as soon as it is put into gear it dies. Slip it back into neutral, and it starts OK, but as soon as the gear goes in, the engine stops. It's not clutch drag killing the engine, as it will do it even at high revs, and it's just like someone turning off the ignition.

I suspect something to do with the neutral switch or sidestand switch. The sidestand cut-out has been removed, and the wires in the area next to the battery look a bit butchered. Full strip and application of the multimeter tomorrow, but any thoughts would be grand.

Cheers all.

**wolfzero** · #2 20 Jun 2009

def sounds like side stand switch wires.
easy test put a link wire from the neutral switch to earth then if it keeps running when you put it in gear then its def the stand wires

**BlackDogZulu** · #3 20 Jun 2009

Just had a good look. The sidestand switch has been removed and there are two black/white wires taped together in the harness next to the battery. I've tried twisting them together better with no luck, but they seem very corroded. Perhaps I will bridge them somewhere closer to the ignition box. Thanks for the test suggestion - I'll give this a go tomorrow when it's light. Cheers Wolf.

**BlackDogZulu** · #4 20 Jun 2009

Couldn't wait - did it by torchlight. Wire from neutral switch to earth - engine runs fine, in gear or not. Many thanks buddy - sidestand wiring fault. That should be fairly easy to track down.

I wish I'd had 3 inches of wire and some croc clips when I was pushing the beast up that bloody hill

(And known where to attach them, of course.)

**wolfzero** · #5 21 Jun 2009

no problem i'm just glad i could help

some people think i'm nuts when i come up with a test like that one cos it sounds weird but i'm pretty good with electrical stuff

**G600** · #6 21 Jun 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfzero

def sounds like side stand switch wires.
easy test put a link wire from the neutral switch to earth then if it keeps running when you put it in gear then its def the stand wires

Smart thinking…

**Dave O** · #7 21 Jun 2009

like I said in Another post. " the xt side stand switch, is the root of all evil in the world"

**wolfzero** · #8 21 Jun 2009

Dave O like I said in Another post. " the xt side stand switch, is the root of all evil in the world"

mine works fine its just not fitted to the bike anymore

**BlackDogZulu** · #9 21 Jun 2009

Hehe. I never even met my sidestand switch - it was junked long before I met the bike. The PO had removed the switch and twisted the wires together in that nest beside the battery. The problem was a break in the black wire which runs to earth somewhere in the loom. It had obviously been dodgy for some time (hence the intermittent backfires and stoppages) and decided yesterday to give it up altogether. I have made a new connection from the black/white wire in the sidestand circuit to the battery earth, and now it runs fine. I've also taken the opportunity to fit a new main fuse unit with mini-blade fuse to replace the rusty glass job that was about to fail very soon (on the A40 in the rain, probably), so all in all a good day's work.

Many thanks to Wolfzero for the lightning diagnosis - spot on, buddy.

**bacardi23** · #10 21 Jun 2009

Glad to know you've solved it!

Yer... why those things always happen in the worst possible moment?!

Who has never had something like these happen?

The worst time something like that happend to me was when I was speeding at 60/70 mph to pass a slower car when driving home because I was late to catch the airplane and my camshaft chain broke and I had to push the XT 2miles uphill back home lol :\

Vando

**Gawain** · #11 21 Jun 2009

Slightly off topic, but as the OP's problems solved Im sure its ok...
With my xte engine into the old srx frame Iv lost the kill switch, which is a nice to have. The srx uses an earth feed to cdi to kill the spark, while the xte uses a cut in the positive feed to do the same. If i inverted the kill switch that when its 'off' the cdi is earthed but when flicked 'on' cuts that connection would that kill the engine? My guess is yes, just hoping for confirmation!

**BlackDogZulu** · #12 21 Jun 2009

I think it's karma, or something. In the last 3 months, my wife has been in and out of hospital (heart operation and lots of complications to follow), and in that time:

XT reg/rec failed
XT rear wheel almost collapsed
XT sidestand wiring failed and put bike out of action
Honda alternator failed
Car windscreen cracked (MoT due in a week)
Car bonnet catch failed 30 mins before 300 mile journey

In all of that, I have always had one vehicle to get to work on, but sometimes only just. On top of all that, work has been highly stressful and I have had my hours reduced and a 40% pay cut. I must have done something really bad in a previous life

Now the XT is fixed (I hope), the Honda is working again, and my wife is slowly improving, so maybe things will get better from now on.

Bikes keep me sane.

**wolfzero** · #13 22 Jun 2009

BlackDogZulu its not karma or anything of that nature its luck (sods law) there is no divine intervention sometimes we are up sometimes we are down hopefully you and your wife are back on an up and continue that way.

bikes and music keep me sane as both have the power of emotion.

**XT GIRL** · #14 22 Jun 2009

Arghh BDZ...

I feel your pain!! When everything goes catastrophic in a batch like that, its hard to imagine that there's not some sort of karmic f**-up somewhere...

I know it doesn't help when others say: It will pass... but I'm gonna say it anyway. It will pass.

If it doesn't. Just run away. Preferably on a bike. That works every time!

**XT GIRL** · #15 22 Jun 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfzero

def sounds like side stand switch wires.
easy test put a link wire from the neutral switch to earth then if it keeps running when you put it in gear then its def the stand wires

I'm writing this down in my book that I'm taking with me on my trip:

"Things To Try When Bike Stops Running and You Haven't a Clue, BEFORE You Dismantle the Engine"

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Dead TTR	staffydog	Yamaha Tech	17	27 Mar 2011 09:10
Bike DEAD	greezer	Yamaha Tech	6	6 Apr 2009 09:23
Dead 12GS......?	bunyip01	BMW Tech	14	26 Mar 2009 14:41
Dead Battery or What?	jv3	BMW Tech	1	24 Jun 2005 13:48
all gone dead	Simon Kennedy	Honda Tech	1	1 Apr 2005 15:34

Shipping the Bike

Regional Forums

Other Forums

Horizons Unlimited presents!

Links Page

Bike Tech

Other Gear

Bike Forums

Stuff

Other Forums

Horizons Unlimited presents!

Links Page

Shipping the Bike

Crossing Borders

Staying Safe & Healthy

Getting There

Life on the Road

Horizons Unlimited presents!

Links Page

Tell your Travel Story - Blog on HU!

Horizons Unlimited Communities

Horizons Unlimited Presents!

Links Page

Why come to an HU Travellers Meeting?

Where are HU Meetings?

HU Travellers Meetings

Non-HU Events

Participate!

Photo Contest!

Why become an HU Member?

Horizons Unlimited presents!

New to HU? Start Here!

Your Hosts

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)