Headlight/left turn signal not working

So, I've got this funny light issue. The headlight and left indicator light don't come on when the bike starts up. The right indicator light comes on. AND, when the left turn signal is on, the indicator light blinks fast. The right indicator light blinks slower.

This is my first bike, and I have never had the lights working. So, I'm not sure how the blinking is supposed to work. In any case, we did test the bulbs with a battery, and they are all working.

Is there a circuit that includes both the headlight and the left indicator light? Any ideas why this might be happening?

Thanks in advance!

 

Check your fuses. Under the seat on top of your air box. When those connections get bad, you get all kinds of funny things to happen. Search out fusebox upgrades. Well worth it! Just did mine today!

 

OK. I should have mentioned that I have an '85 XJ700X. I know there were problems with the fuse boxes in earlier models. These ones, too?

 

Ummm, not sure. May be worth the check though.

 

I'll give it a look tonight. Hopefully, if there is a problem, it will be obvious when I look. I haven't been able to find a diagram of the fuse box, anyway. Not sure which fuses go where.

 

All old bikes are gonna have fuse box problems until replaced.

IIRC the X has the headlight turn on when the key turns on. When you press the start button the headlight goes off to allow more juice for the starter. What are your exact symptoms for the headlight?

Turn signals should work with the bike running or not - just need the key on. From your description it sounds like the right turn signals are functioning fine or it is coming on with left turn lights? Your description mixes stuff up. Please explain exact symptoms for each thing you believe to be wrong and I'm sure we can figure it out.

 

Hey, just thought I'd follow up.

I pulled the light panel and checked the fuses. The blue fuse on the top right of the panel was fried black on one side (along with some melted parts of the fuse box, but it doesn't sem too bad). I replaced it, and the headlight works again. Guess I found the headlight fuse.

So, now the only issue is the front-left signal light. When the ignition is on, the light doesn't come on (running lights). BUT, it does blink when I use the turn signal. Wingnut suggested it might be the bulb. I'll check into that.

Other thing to note, the real signals don't come on like the front-right signal when the bike is on. They blink, but they don't come on.

So, I guess, in a nutshell, only the front-right signal light comes on when the bike is on. All signal lights blink.

 

I would check and make sure you have a good ground connection. Check the ground wire and the inside of the socket for corrosion.

 

Will do. I'll check tonight to see where it is. Under the seat, I suppose?

 

Sorry, should have been more clear. The ground connection for the signal light (where the connectors going to the light are) and make sure the bulb socket isn't full of corrosion.

 

This sounds silly, ... but!
Look into the Bulb Socket ... down-in to where the Bulb makes contact.

You might find that the PO was one of those guys who greased the Bulb
bottoms ... so they wouldn't rust and get seized in the socket.

You might have to clean it.
Unplug the wires and you won't short it out while cleaning the socket.

 

the rear signals dont light up unless the blinker is on.

 

OK. So, rear indicator lights are good. Sweet! I didn't see anything that looked ground-like under the seat. So, tonight I'll check the connectors to the light. I'll check for grease and clean socket and connectors and see what that does for me. If nothing else, I'll just switch out the bulb.

 

Double check the fuses in the light panel. I bought my XJ two years ago and the right-front indicator light has never come on, although the turn signal worked. Since this didn't cause it to fail inspection I didn't worry too much about it.

Well, last week I went to get the bike inspected and the left-rear turn signal didn't work. No-blinky-no-passy. Fortunately the guy was short handed and didn't have time to work on the bike and I just brought it home.

Today I went out to work on it and the first thing I did was check the fuses. The fuses were all good but after I had pulled and reinserted the fuses I decided to check the lights again. All of the signals and lights worked, including the right-front indicator. It would seem that 20+ years of oxidation had managed to finally block enough current to keep the lights from, well, lighting. Apparently the simple act of removing and replacing the fuses was sufficient to scrape the terminals sufficiently clean to restore functioning.

Or I could be completely off my rocker, but I'm not complaining! I can ride my bike again.

Update:
Okay, so I started the bike to go get it inspected and guess what, no left-rear turn signal. So I went back and started messing with the fuses again but no dice. Then I thought about what jeff4995 said about the ground connections and voila! I had taken off the seat when checking fuses and that must have snugged it enough to work until engine vibration worked it loose again. Under the seat are a bunch of little connectors, Check too see that they are tight, if not snug them up and see if that doesn't work. It did for me anyway. I'm off to the inspection station.

 

No.
That's what the maintenance requirement is.
If you include "Shining-up" the Contact with a piece of Emery Board, or a section of very fine sandpaper, ... that helps, too.

All the connections inside the Headlight Bucket are CRITICAL and should be checked.
Those are "Plugged-in" fast during assembly. Make sure they are nice and tight and "Seated"
Crimping them closed tight with a Crimp Tool or Needle-nosed Pliers is good maintenance.
Spraying the Contacts with Cleaner or WD-40 helps.

The whole System depends on the condition of the two Carbon Contact Brushes inside the Alternator's back Cover.
Check for proper Brush Length. 10 mm (Limit)