Speedometer bulb won't turn on

Hey guys.

The last thing my bike (xj650k) needed for certification was a speedometer light. No big deal right? Well I replaced it and the bulb is not turning on. Does the bike have to be moving for it to be illuminated? Fuse issue? I'm at a loss. I've done minor fixes on my cars before but never any electrical work

When I pulled the bulb originally it was blown... The bulb housing doesn't look dirty or corroded either. Tach light worked before and after a new bulb as well. There's also a few butt connections (look decades old) in the headlight house that lead to dead ends. Could one of these be for the bulb?

Thanks to all you guys who put in the work to guide us smoothbrain noobs.

 

Does it have the original fusebox?

 

Yes. Is there a secret to getting the lid off? I got the lid off to replace the headlight fuse when I got it, but now it seems to be jammed on there, which is why I didn't check originally.

 

It has a latch moulded into both sides. Pull outwards along the bottom and it should pop off.

My recommendation is to either replace the fuse clips with new, or update the fusebox to an ATC type.

Your Fuse Box -- A Ticking Bomb??? By: Rick Massey
HOW TO: Install an aftermarket fuse box

 

both tach and speedo back light are fed volyage by a blue wire and are connected to (L/B ) blue/black wire at headlight relay.

both have seperate grounds.

so with bike running check for 12 volts at blue wire at connector. check ground wire with for 12 volts between battery positive and black wire

speedo has 3 position connector with black,blue, and white/green wire

tach has 4 position connector blue wire ,black wire for bulb brown wire and orange wire for tach with a black wire jumping from tach to bulb ground.


they are powered by headlight fuse

 

Sorry to bump a kinda dumb thread but I got it figured out. The guy who owned this bike previously spliced the wiring for the speedo bulb into two female spade connectors that were presumably "docking" with each other (????????????). They came out when i swapped the headlight I think. I unfrigged it and she's safety certified and out on the road. These old things have a lot of get up and go!

 

we always like to hear the answers to issues people have had.