Right signal lights

They have not worked for years. On a 1985 MaximX. So I finally re-attached 3 wires that had broken near the steering this last winter. Got my tach back and heat gauge, but not the signals on the right side. (the first thing I checked years ago was if the bulbs were good and they were) Then just a day ago the right signals worked...but only for about 5 times. Any of you have an idea what this could be? I hate electrical problems and am not sure how to fix this.
Thanks.

 

Take the bulbs back out and CLEAN the bases. They can get film, or corrosion on them and then they can't ground back to the frame.

Somewhere to start at least.

 

Yes that was my next step. Just checked them, they are still good. The contacts are worn a bit from 25 years of vibration....I am amazed they lasted this long, Phillips bulbs.....So it is something else I may have a look at the signal switch itself next. Too nice to work on it now, our summer has been so ugly and nice weather just arrived. Hand signals work until it is dark....not a problem yet.

 

Those worn contacts might well be your problem.
Try using a test light on the socket itself to see if you are getting power to the bulb to start with. Then work backwards to the signal switch checking/cleaning all connections.

If you havent already replaced the fuse block. Make sure you check that out real good as that is known to be a major cause of electrical woes on these bikes.

Ghost

 

I'd check the sockets themselves. Not sure if the Maxim-X is the same, but on the earlier XJ's they use a spring to carry current to a contact disc at the bottom of the socket. The spring corrodes where it touches the disc, and the socket loses conductivity. You can pull the socket apart, clean up the surfaces with Scotchbrite, and then cover everything with a protective coating of dielectric grease.

As a troubleshooting step, you can also take a bare bulb and some jumpers. Jumper the outer base of the bulb to chassis (ground); then disconnect the bullet connector to the turn signal assembly and jumper the contact of the bulb to that. With the turn signals engaged, the lamp should at least light, if not flash. If it doesn't light, then you've got a problem further back in the harness, or in the turn signal switch itself. If it does light, then your problem is in the socket.