Starting issues

Message

Sun Dec 11, 2005 12:48 pm

I have an XS 400 I'm trying to get to start. I charged teh battery, the carbs are clean, it has compression and it has spark. When I try to start it I get a weak whir out of the starter accompanied by alot of clicks when the starter isn't whirring. I noticed that the positive terminal of the battery is getting really hot and it let out a bit of acid the last time I tried to start it. Any thoughts?

Mottoxfox · #2 Unread post by **Mottoxfox** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 2:56 am

Check your wires at the solenoid and make sure the 6mm but behind both cables are tight. Also the nuts holding them to the solenoid.

Check the fuse box as these will loosen up. You need to replace the fuse box with something of your choice. Blade type or whatever.

Mon Dec 12, 2005 4:39 am

The bolts are fastened strong. The fuses were changed to blade fuses.

I hooked it up to a different battery in case mine was bad. What I thought was steam caused by acid was actually the positive cable end heating up and melting the solder on the end. Does this mean that the positive cable has a short to ground?

Mon Dec 12, 2005 5:38 am

I answered my own question with a handy dandy multimeter. There is continuity between ground and the positive cable. Time to figure it out.

Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:52 am

I think it's a short in the starter. Time for ebay...