strange tail light/turn signal issue

I just pulled my 82 XJ750 Seca out for riding season and I'm running into a problem. My turn signals don't work (which could just be the switch, it was already wearing out) and my tail light doesn't flash when I hit either the front or rear brake. Not worried about the turn signals so much, but the tail light thing is a problem. There's no obvious issue, the tail light is bright and works but just won't flash. My fuses are good, the area around could use some cleaning so that's what I'll try first. The other possible issue is that the wire is somewhat worn (can see copper) where it connects to the hand brake, though unless it's made the switch stick in the "on" position, I don't get why it would take out the rear switch as well. I also don't see how the turn signal problem connects, based on the wires it looks like a separate system. Hope I've given enough information, appreciate whoever responds....I wanna get riding, lost most of last season to a broken bike (not the XJ though).

 

This will require some troubleshooting.

This Tool will speed the process.

http://www.rjtool.com/automotive-tools/ ... an-72.html

Before you begin any searching for a Short, ... REPLACE the Fuse Panel.

http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=2 ... +bomb.html

 

Regarding your brake light issue - the rear stop/tail lamp is two filaments I'd guess. It could be that the brake filament in the lamp is broken. You should see that pretty easily just by eyeballing it.

Or you could take a feed directly from the battery and touch it to the lamp connections, see if it lights up each filament in turn.- if it does, you most likely have a break in the wiring somewhere after the two brake switches, which are in parallel.

The horns are on the same circuit so if you have power going to them, you know you're good up to that point anyway.

The turn signal problem will be separate in that case. When I flick the turn signal at the handlebar, I can hear the relay kind of buzz and then click - can you hear anything ?

 

Sounds like you have some corrosion in the tail-light/brake light housing. Take the bulb out and check it over, check inside, too.

Otherwise, I'd suggest pulling the seat and taking a good look at the wires and see if either a mouse was enjoying an extra entree of copper spaghetti, or raiding the refridgerator in the middle of the night for a little bite of wire sandwich.

Next place I'd check would be the headlight bucket for similar circumstances.


Dave Fox

 

Are you sure it is stuck OFF, or is it stuck ON?

In other words, is only the RUNNING light on or is the RUNNING and BRAKE light both on?

 

Thanks to all that answered, I finally got a free minute to work on the bike, it was the front brake light switch, have to get a new one, disconnected and the light works fine. It's off topic, but do the 82 XJs have starting issues? Every now and then it starts easy but mostly it's this long process of choke and throttle fine tuning. Anyways, thanks again guys, especially the tip on the fuses, I was amazed to see they were glass.

 

The XJs have neglected carburetor maintenance and ignored valve clearance issues.

These things often cause starting problems.