What Lights Should be On?!

Okay -- now I'm loosing it because I can't remember what lights are supposed to be ON when bike is OFF/ON. Currently with bike OFF but key in ON position -- headlight and taillight work. Signals work. With bike ON -- there is no change from this scenario. Headlight and taillight work. Signals work (when pressing L or R signal switch).

I was having a problem with the turn signals. The right signals would not work at idle. It turned out to be an easy fix -- one of the bulbs had a higher resistance than the others. Once I swapped the bad bulb the signals work when the bike is off. However, shouldn't my signal lights be on when I'm riding?

It took me a while to figure out I had a bad bulb so this is what I've done so far:

Tested battery Voltage off and at 2k RPM -- it's good.
Cleaned ground terminals all around.
Opened and inspected flasher relay -- seems good but i'm no pro.
Checked rear signal connectors -- good.
Cleaned signal switch.
Checked starter button spring (I replaced this when I got the bike).

Opened the headlight bucket to check connections -- (SEE PIC BELOW)


Is this flasher ground supposed to be dangling? This wire is coming from left front turn signal. I plugged it in to a ground female that runs to harness and indicator bulbs on dash. It made no change connected vs. disconnected.

So -- are my signal lights supposed to be on all the time? If so, wouldn't I see 2 filaments in the bulb (I don't)? If the signals aren't supposed to be on I imagine this will be a short thread.

Searched around for a bit while troubleshooting the signal problem and I haven't come across this issue.

 

The turn signal bulbs should all be 27 watts.

Which XJ do you have? (add that info to your signature).

Some had running lights, but most did not.

 

82' XJ650 -- You've helped me on so many problems I thought you'd have memorized it by now.

 

No running lights on that model. If all four signals are on at the same time it's because the correct 27 watt bulbs are not in all four positions.

 

Nope -- lights aren't on so I'm going to assume all is okay -- short thread indeed. Thanks k-moe.

 

Holy crap that fork emblem is in good shape... So shiny.

 

I'm embarrassed to say but that was the first "refurb" purchase I made for the bike -- THANKS CHACAL!

 

No shame in that! Only so much you can do with chromed plastic.