1. Some members were not receiving emails sent from XJbikes.com. For example: "Forgot your password?" function to reset your password would not send email to some members. I believe this has been resolved now. Please use "Contact Us" form (see page footer link) if you still have email issues. SnoSheriff

    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.

81 seca gauges

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by Durbz89, Mar 25, 2017.

  1. Durbz89

    Durbz89 New Member

    Messages:
    8
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Tuckerton nj
    I have an 81 seca, and the gauge cluster has back lighting but non of the gauges work. What could be possible problem. I already replaced all fuses I could find and replaced batter and connected all leads.
     
  2. Jetfixer

    Jetfixer Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    3,191
    Likes Received:
    1,501
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Nothern Indiana
    Is your fuse block still stock or have you upgrade to blade type fuses? Most original fuse blocks fall apart from age . Does your tach work? Neutral light work? Turn signal indication. If you still have atari does it show anything? When bike is running does headlight and tail light function ? There is another fuse in headlight bucket .
     
  3. Durbz89

    Durbz89 New Member

    Messages:
    8
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Tuckerton nj
    Nothing on the gauge cluster works. Head light and taillight function. I believe the fuse panel is original.
     
  4. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

    Messages:
    19,647
    Likes Received:
    6,756
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    The City of Seven Hills
  5. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

    Messages:
    13,199
    Likes Received:
    3,861
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Great North Woods
    back lights, head light and tail light are always on and run off of the main fuse.

    so you are saying directional indicator, high beam oil light and neutral light do not work also fuel and volt meter do not work?

    81 seca what?
     
  6. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

    Messages:
    19,647
    Likes Received:
    6,756
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    The City of Seven Hills
    He's got a 750.
     
  7. Durbz89

    Durbz89 New Member

    Messages:
    8
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Tuckerton nj
    Update, when I disconnect the headlight everything on cluster works. Then when I plug it back in everything dims and goes off. It seems like a short
     
  8. Dadoseven

    Dadoseven Active Member

    Messages:
    195
    Likes Received:
    124
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    Omaha
    I am having similar problem on my '82 SECA 750. Fuses and connections in fuse box check out. Speedometer, tach work. Turn signal, high beam, neutral indicators work. The systems monitor display is back-lit, but the LCD's are barely visible, if at all. Note; headlight not currently connected as it is in the fairing, which is dismounted.

    Sorry for the hijack. o_O
     
    Last edited: Mar 27, 2017
  9. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

    Messages:
    13,199
    Likes Received:
    3,861
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Great North Woods
    do a search for polarized film try a set of polarized sunglasses I remember seeing conversations about that affecting what you can see on the display
     
    Dadoseven and k-moe like this.
  10. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

    Messages:
    19,647
    Likes Received:
    6,756
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    The City of Seven Hills
  11. Rooster53

    Rooster53 Well-Known Member Premium Member

    Messages:
    1,990
    Likes Received:
    796
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    North, FL
    Head and tail light work. Seems more like you are drawing down the voltage with the headlight either because of a weak battery or defective fuse box.

    Do you have a DMM where you can check the voltage of the battery and the voltage output at the main, signal and head fuse?

    The fuse box upgrade is a good suggestion if it is original as Kmoe and others suggested.

    Is this a running bike with the headlight connected and just missing the cluster lights?
     
    k-moe likes this.
  12. Durbz89

    Durbz89 New Member

    Messages:
    8
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Tuckerton nj
    Yes bike runs perfect. I upgraded the fuse and nothing changed could it be the tci?
     
  13. Rooster53

    Rooster53 Well-Known Member Premium Member

    Messages:
    1,990
    Likes Received:
    796
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    North, FL
    If the bike runs perfect there is nothing wrong with the TCI.

    The tail light, license light, and gauge backlighting are powered from a dedicated contact from the ignition switch that is fused by a 5 amp fuse located in the headlight bucket. You stated these are working OK so no issue there.

    The brake light, turn signal, neutral light, tachometer, and horn receive power from the signal fuse. You need to check power out of the signal fuse. Since you mentioned everything works when you disconnect the headlight check the signal fuse output with the headlight connected and disconnected.

    And, make sure the statement is true in that everything works - brake light, turn signal, neutral light, tachometer and horn with the headlight disconnected.
     
    Last edited: Mar 29, 2017
    k-moe likes this.
  14. PeteK

    PeteK New Member

    Messages:
    1
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Virginia
    It's almost certainly a poor ground. The fact those items work separately means the fuses are delivering current. It's the return part of the circuit that probably is bad. You have enough of a ground connection to allow current to flow for the headlight, the instrument lights or some combination, but not a good enough connection for all to function at the same time. Find all the ground connections, clean them, squirt something like Boeshield T6 or equivalent to prevent future corrosion, screw it back down. I'll bet that fixes it and other problems you might not even know about, and your headlight will get brighter too!
     
    k-moe likes this.
  15. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

    Messages:
    19,647
    Likes Received:
    6,756
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    The City of Seven Hills
    Agreed. Or a short to ground due to a pinched/worn wire.
     
  16. Durbz89

    Durbz89 New Member

    Messages:
    8
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Tuckerton nj
    Yes you are correct. I found a ground that was no good. Once I corrected it everything works now. Thank you all. Does anyone know anybody in nj who will restore the body?
     
    k-moe likes this.
  17. Rooster53

    Rooster53 Well-Known Member Premium Member

    Messages:
    1,990
    Likes Received:
    796
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    North, FL
    Details please on where you found a defective ground. The neutral light grounds to the engine case through the neutral switch and is powered from the 12V signal - hard to imagine a ground issue here with a running / starting bike.
     
    Last edited: Mar 31, 2017
  18. Franz

    Franz Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    4,267
    Likes Received:
    1,210
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Scotland UK.


    Fix electrical shorts in your own car (or truck or motorcycle.)

    Scotty Kilmer Channel
     

Share This Page