Headlight comes on with key = bad headlight relay?

I'm assuming that if the headlight comes on with the key before I crank the starter the relay is bad, as in fused open. And it should probably be replaced by something before it decides to be permanently off, or burst into flames, or summon the forces of evil. Yes?

 

No, that is not correct...your headlight is perfectly fine.....when the key is turned from off to on...the headlight comes on.....during cranking the headlight will go off........& then after the bike starts...the headlight will come on & stay on....until the bike is shut off.....

It is designed this way.....

 

44 dave, can you do me a favor.....????

Please see my thread on "relays & spark to plugs" & examine your relays & get back to me.....on their location, stamping, & markings....

I would really appreciated it.....

 

Ah, OK. I had read it as the headlight wouldn't come on until it was started, not just cutting out while the engine was cranking. Your way makes more sense.
Thanks!

 

I'll try and take a look at the relays, but I"m not sure if my wiring is factory OEM anymore as the sidestand cut off does not seem to have an effect (will go if it's up or down). I'll take a look though. I need to get in there and see whats what anyway.

 

your bike is designed that way.....

the bike will crank & start if 1 of 2 conditions are met......

1. the transmission is in neutral ( neutral light is on )

or

2. the clutch lever is pulled to the handlebar ( the clutch switch is on ) & the sidestand is up ( the sidestand switch is on ).

 

No, I mean it doesn't matter if the sidestand is up or down - it'll crank either way. I'm happy to take a look though.

 

Some XJs do behave that way -- headlight is off until the engine is started. Others cut off the headlight only while the starter is engaged.

 

How can you tell what your bike is supposed to do? Are there different relay part numbers to achieve the different behaviors?

 

That may be a question for Chacal... Or a 750 Maxim owner. Where are you guys?

 

I just looked at this on my '82 XJ650, no light until the engine is running. The two bikes both share the same electrical system.

 

Doesn't the 750 have the fish-finder cluster like the 750 Seca, and all the extra sensors and junk?

 

My 650 is no head light until motor running and then stays on until the key is turned off.

I hope it's right because I don't want to fix anything else.

 

I have a 1982 XJ750J Maxim:

your headlight is perfectly fine.....when the key is turned from off to on...the headlight comes on.....during cranking the headlight will go off........& then after the bike starts...the headlight will come on & stay on....until the bike is shut off.....

It is designed this way.....

The 1982 seca or earlier years of maxim & seca may behave differently.

 

I have two XJ 650s. If you look at the electrical diagram in the book, the stock relay circuit is designed such that the headlight won't get power until the motor is running. At that point the the coil is activated and the relay kicks over to complete the circuit. I didn't realize this when I rebuilt my first 650 thinking it was like the 750. I switched two of the wires that connect to the relay so that the headlight is powered before the engine is started. It works fine that way but I guess a bigger load on the battery at start up.

 

Well, there you go

There doesn't seem to be much rhyme or reason to this... My '80 XJ650, '81 XJ750R and the '83 XJ550 both kept the headlight off until the engine was started. My '86 Radian, as well as the '82 XJ1100 and the XJ650 Turbo I fixed up for a friend were the other way, like the 750 Maxim.

 

This seems right, because mine did the same thing. I had it sitting in the driveway at a idle while I opened the garage door. It cut out but they key was still on and the light was on. It was in highbeam so maybe that had something to do with it but the light wont go on when you just turn the ignition on, high or low.

 

PM sent.

 

Hello out there, Im assuming I have a bad headlight relay on my 82 xj650 seca and need help finding it, can anyone help me locate this?