1. Hello Guest. You have limited privileges and you can't "SEARCH" the forums. Please "Log In" or "Sign Up" for additional functionality. Click HERE to proceed.

Bypassing the reserve lighting unit??

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by mikeames, Jul 19, 2015.

  1. mikeames

    mikeames Member

    Messages:
    188
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Location:
    Vancouver, WA
    All,
    I have accidentally cooked my Reserve Lighting Unit on my 1982 XJ1100J. Last time I put the tank back on I managed to pinch the blue/white wire coming from the RLU to the dimmer switch up where the gas tank slides over those black rubber cushions. After some time it wore through the insulation and shorted the wire to ground. Now I get 12V into the RLU, but nothing out (all the wires are still in one piece, no opens). According to the troubleshooting chart in the book and some deductive reasoning it looks as if I've managed to fry my RLU.
    I may buy a replacement if I can find one that sounds reliable for a decent price. Strangely there's one on Ebay right marked "not working, for parts only"...not sure what parts one would obtain from something like that... Any way, until I do, I'm wondering what would be wrong with simply bypassing the RLU by hooking the blue/black wire the brings voltage into the RLU to the blue/white wire that carries the voltage out of the RLU to and to the dimmer switch? Seems like that would make my headlight work again...but what other ramifications would I incur other then the whole RLU system no longer working? Anyone else ever given this a whirl?
    Thanks?
     
  2. rocs82650

    rocs82650 Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    2,663
    Likes Received:
    356
    Trophy Points:
    83
    Location:
    Middle Tennessee
    There's a couple members with 1100s. Hopefully they'll chime in soon. There's also a couple electronic savvy members. Hopefully they'll chime in as well. Idk anything about the 1100s (except I'd like to have one) or how the rlu regulates input/output juice to the switch but if I was going to bypass the unit I'd add a 5 or 10amp in-line fuse for "just in case".

    Gary H.
     
  3. mikeames

    mikeames Member

    Messages:
    188
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Location:
    Vancouver, WA
    Actually the stock headlight fuse would still be in the circuit so I would be covered there.
     
  4. rocs82650

    rocs82650 Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    2,663
    Likes Received:
    356
    Trophy Points:
    83
    Location:
    Middle Tennessee
    Might try getting in touch with Len or member Andreas. He often sells 1100 parts on the forum and might have a replacement you can buy.

    Gary H.
     
  5. Rooster53

    Rooster53 Well-Known Member Premium Member

    Messages:
    1,931
    Likes Received:
    763
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    North, FL
    I can't seem to find a wiring diagram that is totally correct in colors, but I would agree you have it right and the only issue that would occur is losing the RLU function. Part of the RLU function would also be that the high beam status light will no longer be functional.
     
  6. Polock

    Polock Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    9,751
    Likes Received:
    2,096
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Beaver Falls, PA
    i didn't know 1100's had reverse
     
  7. mikeames

    mikeames Member

    Messages:
    188
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Location:
    Vancouver, WA
    Yes, all the XJ's have reverse.... Everyone knows that!
     
  8. MattiThundrrr

    MattiThundrrr Not a guru

    Messages:
    3,690
    Likes Received:
    1,666
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    America's friendly hat
    ummmmm... does walking the bike backwards count as reverse? Then mine is awesome! Finally, something that works correctly!
     

Share This Page