Starter/Alternator problems
Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2013 2:17 pm
Yesterday I took my new (to me) XJ out for a quick ride before turning it into a shop today to do basic maintenance on it. The starter felt a little weak and I had to bump start it. After riding around for 20 minutes the bike would start,up again but the starter did feel weak. Then another 10 minutes after that the bike just stopped and would not restart unless I bump started it and even then it was not as easy as before and while stopped it was not be able to hold an idle and just die. So my friend picked me up and I left the bike in a residential neighborhood over night. So today I went to a chain auto part store and bought a new battery for around 35 bucks figured it probably needed one anyways, and I installed without a hitch. Now the bike bump starts fine but it has a hard time starting on its own. I did let it idle for 10 minutes and took it on a ten minute ride and it did start on its own once after that but after that I needed to bump start it again. . So what do any of you think the problem is? Alternator, Starter, wiring? I have to ride it 15 miles or so to the mechanic but I'm afraid of,it stalling and being stuck. I added AAA coverage to tow the bike but it doesn't go in effect for 7 days. Any suggestions?