Blinker Question

I have a 1981 XJ650 Maxim and my question is I had to buy a after market turn signal. It comes with three wires Pos, neg and one for running lights. I dont need the running light. I connected the pos with my original connector. and the light doesnt come on. It worked with the old one. I tested the connection and it is getting power. Do I need to make a ground wire to make it work. and where would be a good place to do that

 

Yes, you do. The original turn signals on some bikes....mainly the 1980-81 XJ650 Maxim models (and a couple of others that I can't recall right now) were grounded through the housing/bike frame. The aftermarket signals use a separate ground wire (like the rest of the civilized world uses) and thus you have to tap into a ground somewhere........of which you have an incredible number of choices. Almost every solid black wire in the main harness is a ground wire.

 

Ok thanks thats what I need to know.

 

Ok I got it working I had to ground the ground and the running light wire to get it to flash rather than stay on. The problem is now that light quit working the rear still comes on and the other side is still normal. Just the new one i bought quit. I put the ground wires on a different ground The pos connection is still getting power. I checked the fuses still ok there. I checked the bulb and that is still ok.

 

You should NOT have to ground the "other" positive lead wire.......try un-grouding that one!

 

I have an '81 xj650 that had turn signal issues. I bought new 2 wire fixtures, ran a ground wire from the - terminal of the battery to each lamp, cleaned the corrosion, mucky old grease and spidey webs out of the turn signal switch. Then I replaced the flasher. They work great now!

 

I have an '81 xj650 that had turn signal issues. I bought new 2 wire fixtures, ran a ground wire from the - terminal of the battery to each lamp, cleaned the corrosion, mucky old grease and spidey webs out of the turn signal switch. Then I replaced the flasher. They work great now!

 

Are the new blinkers LED? Maybe they aren't pulling enough current for the blinker unit.

 

No they are just like the old one I pulled off. Also I pulled the switch off to see if that was my problem and it was ok to. Do you think that with me grounding the two wires I could have hurt something because it worked and now it wont and I did the same thing I was doing. The bulb is fine and so it the fuse. Is there any thing else I gould check?

 

Maybe try connecting the 'correct' wires directly to a 12v source (battery). That will give you some idea as to where to look. If you have a manual it should have a schematic that could help you find other connections/parts to check. Off the cuff, and without any real experience with my Maxim's electrical system this is what I'd try:

If the lights work when connected direct to battery:
Are you getting power at the 'normal' power leads to the signals?
If not:
Check to see if your ground is...grounded.
Are you getting power at the output of the flasher relay?
Make sure you don't have a break in the wire between the flasher and the light.

A $10 multimeter is a must. (~$20 from radioshack)
Make sure it has audible continuity.

There is more I'm sure.

 

I am getting power from the wire. I am thinking it is a problem with the ground I had it on. This aftermarket has 3 wire settup while my stock has only the one wire. I am going to go though it today again and see what I can turn up.

Oh and Just to be sure on the after market it has a red, black and white and black wire. I assume it is positive, running light, and ground. If I am wrong that may be my problem

 

Yes, you have the wire connections wrong. For some reason the mfg. of these turn signals uses a wire color-coding scheme that was developed in their own little world, far-far away, after a number of healthy doses of potent California-style medical marijuana bong hits:

SOLID black wire = running lights (always on)
STRIPED black wire = ground
RED wire = positive for turn signals

 

So to recap:
To use them as running lights you'll need to find always-on power somewhere (head/tail lights maybe?) and connect it to the solid black wire.

Connect the Red wire to the current wire for your old turn signals.

Connect the striped black wire to the frame (via a bolt somewhere).

I never would have guessed that scheme Chacal.

 

Yes, you are correct. Did you get those lights from me? I always include a wiring instructions sheets with the ones I offer, sorry if we left that out!!!!

 

Ok that explains why it still isn't working. I thought I was going nuts. So if I don't want the running lights so I don't connect the solid black wire. And it will still work ok. Or do I have to connect it to a power source. Thanks for saving my sanity chacal. I'll try it out and let you guys know tomarrow.

 

Hey Nosh....no, you do not need to hook up the running light wire to power. Just tape it off with electrical tape, etc.

 

It would'nt work unless I connected the running light wire with the blinker wire. It works now that I did that. It won't hurt anything will it?