xj blinker and headlight relays

I just purchased an 1982 XJ650RJ SECA and is currently not running do to carburetor issues, but that isn't my problem. I was testing the electrical systems and it seems to me that my headlight and blinker relays are no good. I am wondering if the headlight comes on when the key is turned or when the engine is started? Also, the blinkers will usually blink for a moment and then stay on. Could this be caused by the fact that my battery may not be fully charged? The headlight works if I used a similar relay from another part of the bike and the blinkers work if I use the relay off my friend's Honda.

 

check your connections look for corrsion or lose wire. As for the head light im not sure , mine comes on when the motor cranks over.

 

My RJ headlight comes on with the key on. Are you sure the bulb is good or the correct type?

The RJ blinkers will stay on if there is a blown bulb. Make sure all your bulbs are good.

Good luck.
Rob

 

I have noticed that when my battery is not fully charged, or on its way out, the headlight won't be on during cranking. if that is the case I don't bother, because I don't get a hot enough spark to fire it up either. I charge the battery, and it fires right up.

Go figure.

Never had that problem with the turn signals though.

 

my 81 xj seca 750 lamp doesn't come on til bike has been started.

 

I guess I will have to wait until I can get the bike started and the battery properly charged to see if the headlight and blinkers will work correctly. Thanks!

 

Your headlight shouldn't come on until the bike is cranked over, and the signals not flashing means, 1) burnt out bulb, 2) Not enough power through the flasher - so maybe a low battery

 

Does your headlight come on before you crank it? On mine it does not, but any little sputter while cranking lights it. Then it's key off to conserve battery for next attempt.

 

From another thread, by Bosozuko (paraphrased):

There is a relay in the headlight circuit that keeps the headlight circuit closed when the bike is first being started (key moved from off position to on, and starter engaged) . This saves some juice for the starter and the ignition during initial start-up. This relay is triggered by enough voltage to open, and it is possible for the starter to spin the engine fast enough so that the generator produces enough output (and the regulator passes this generated output) to open the relay and power the headlight without the engine actually starting up.

So if your battery is strong enough to spin the engine quickly enough to produce enough generator output, yet your engine is slow to fire and start, then the headlight will come on "while cranking".

Once this relay is open, it stays open until the key is turned to off (which resets the relay). So if the bike starts and dies, or has been running, or has even just been spinning fast enough to open the relay, then the headlight will remain on until the key is turned back to off. Killing the engine, stalling the engine, or even NOT starting the engine etc. does NOT reset the relay----only turning the key off does.

So there's really no real correspondence between "starting the engine" and having the headlight come on, because it's really two separate processes at work. Turning the key on sends power to the headlight relay, but not enough power to open the relay (and thus turn the headlight on). Spinning the engine with the starter allows the generator to build output, and once enough output is generated, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE BIKE STARTS OR NOT, opens the relay, and the headlight comes on. The relay is not turned off again until the key goes off.

It's not the "brightest" (ha-ha) design in the world, but it is probably the best "automatic" lights-on method that could be engineered reliably and cheaply. An on-off switch would have been better, but a lot of people would have failed to turn the lights on, either on purpose or due to forgetfulness. This system works well enough to prevent people from ever forgetting to turn their headlights on, at the expense of having the headlight come on SOMETIMES during cranking and thus siphoning off electrical energy when it might not be prudent to do so (during the starting procedure, possibly before the engine is running).

 

Every time there has been a haunting electrical issue to deal with; I have had the person struggling with the electrical problem check a few places looking for the source of the trouble.

Fuse box, Alternator Brushes and Voltage Regulator.

The stock Fuse Box is a very common source for any problem with an intermittancy issue. If you are still running a stock fuse box; get rid of it for one that uses modern, non-glass, fuses and won't self-destruct on you.

Brushes are right near the top of the list for causing power failures, dead batteries and electrical woes of all kinds. Check their lengths to specs and replace as necessary.

Regulator. Look at the Plastic Plug-in on the Regulator. If there is obvious over-heating damage to the connector at or around the Red wire ... there is a good chance that the Regulator has been damaged and it's regulating and performance is suspect.