FJ 1100 running problems

[Vernon]

Hi there guys

I really need help big time with my FJ 1100 1984 model. Bike ran fine till a while ago when it started to just cut out on me. It turned out a fuse was blown and eventually i had the whole harnass redone.

Problem now is that the motor swings very slowly almost as if battery is weak. I replaced the battery with a new one. Motor swings very slowly at first, then gradually picks up speed until she starts. Revs upo fine but if I switch her off I immediately have the slow swinging problem again ( almost as if the brand new battery is flat ). Please  please help!!!!

Regards
Vernon

[Pat Conlon]

Think back. What did you do to your bike immediately before these symptoms appeared?
Here's my top 3:
1) Check the ground strap to the engine. Clean the connections.
2) Check the connections at the starter relay.     
3) Service your starter motor. Check the brushes.

[tmkaos]

Hi there,

I'm not hugely clued up about electrical problems but I think you could try a few things to narrow it down some..

You said you put in a new battery - we can probably assume it's not that..

You said you replaced the loom - that makes me think the problem is either in the loom or the starter motor.

You could test the starter motor by disconnecting it from the loom and try applying power from the battery directly to it with jumper cables or something similiar. I would keep this test brief though to minimise any harm to the starter motor from overloading If it turns quickly, I would imagine the loom is at fault. there's not enough juice getting to the starter. If the starter is still sluggish under direct application of power from the battery then I'd say it's time for a overhaul..

Anyone care to back me up/shoot me down on that advice?

Good luck with it anyway..

James

[andyb]

Bypass the solenoid (/relay, let's don't go there) and put a beefy connection straight to the starter.  If it immediately spins like it's happy, you know exactly which bit isn't letting current go through.

Sounds like a poor connection someplace, but I'm failing to see why it would spin faster after a few moments.

[miked]

Hi Vernon, Just my 2c worth but, if you connect power directly to the starter via jumper cables etc and it still spins slowly. Remove the starter and strip it down, I had the same issue, mainly when it was hot and found the commutator had worn in to the brush carrier. Easiest (see-cheapest and most convenient) fix was to order a new starter from Randy at RPM.
Now it starts like a new one, everytime regardless of temp.
Cheers

Mike