Rear light on the duff

[Stray]

Hello All,

Does anyone know why my rear lights and brake lights are not working? They seem to intermittently come on and off when they feel like it (so it's not the bulbs). I've sprayed a little WD40 into the sockets and wire connectors under the seat cowl, and they worked marvellously for a few minutes. Then they died again.

Will pull out the old voltmeter and have a fumble, but any sugestions about where to look first are welcome.

The XJR is testing my patience these days and I'm getting close to starting a bike sized fire in the driveway (cue twisted laughter...).

Stray

[Stray]

Right, I've traced all the wires with a multitester and found the problem to be the the big electric connector under the seat cowl - corroded to death. A little clean up and some WD40 saw her right. It is just amazing what WD40 can fix, amazing. I've seen a mechanic revive a stubbornly dead Rover engine with it. Not very good for sore throats, though.

Stray

[Stray]

New problem:

Rear light flashes a little when the indicators are on. It still works, but I've been told it is a faulty earth wire.

So, I pull up the seat and trace all the wires connected to the rear light and indicators. Clean everything up, spray with WD40, and reconnect. But rear light still flashes...

Next step, trace all wiring from the back to the battery, clean battery terminals, put them back together and coat with copper grease. But rear light still flashes...

Then, I trace the earth wire to the engine (long bolt on the engine, near 10 o'clock of the right hand clutch cover), clean terminal, apply grease and re-insert bolt. But rear light still flashes...

Finally, I trace ALL wires on the negative (earth) terminal of the battery, clean all connectors, spray with WD40 and re-connect. But rear light still flashes...

BUGGER THE BLASTED HEAP!

Does anyone else have any ideas? I'm toying with the idea of tearing the alternator apart unless another solution is found.

Yours frustratedly,

Stray

[GregXJR]

Does sound like a faulty earth.

However...... is the engine running when you carry out these tests?

If not, it might be that the indicators put sufficient of a drain on the battery to dim the rear light when flashing.

There are some interesting connections in the rear light anyway. Mine seems to respond very badly to waterproof trousers in the seat cowl. No, really.

Easily solved though. Don't carry waterproofs.

Cheers

Greg

 

[Stray]

Greg, your observation about waterproof trousers in the seat cowl are uncanny - best pull mine out too.

If you see an XJR rider clad in bin liners when the rain comes, come over and say hello.

By the way, fantastic writeup for the Scotland trip.

Stray

[Stray]

Dear Sirs,

I am writing to give you an idea of my genius.

Yesterday, I spent a few hours testing the electrical system with a multimeter to find out why my tail light flashes when the indicators are on. Unfotunately I had no success and the earth connection seems rock-solid.

I did however manage to leave one of the rear bulbs out of its holder (still plugged in), and go for a nice long ride for a couple of hours. Once back home, I lifted the seat to get the disc loc out, and found that the bulb (which was burning bright outside its holder) had burned a hole through the undertray and was looking at the rear wheel! What's more, I could not remove it because the burned plastic had sealed around the bulb when it cooled and formed a hole smaller than the bulb head, so it could not be extracted.

In the end, I had to run the bike for a short while to reheat the bulb and re-melt the plastic, so the bulb could be pulled out. Now I have a lovely ventilation and water run-off hole that no other XJR can boast. As mods go, it is one of a kind.

This gentlemen, is the measure of my genius.

Stray

[XJRHartley]

I dont quite know what to say Stray, i guess you could have left it there, would probably look quite good at night with an illuminated rear wheel which dimmed when you turned a corner.

Paul
 

[GregXJR]

I'm saying nothing mate. Although if you were to replace the newly positioned bulb with a funky blue LED it could really catch on among those who secretly hanker after a Corsa with a big stereo (for those bangin' tunes) and a dustbin instead of the exhaust. You might have to wear your crash helmet back to front or at the very least sideways though as I believe this is "de rigeur" for headgear in such circles.

Does the tail light flash or merely dim? Ask a suitably qualified person if it will pass its MOT. If the answer is yes, console yourself with the fact that unless you are particularly acrobatic you will be unlikely to see it as you are riding along and don't fret any further. If of course the answer is no, you may reach for your diary, write carefully the word "Bugger" on the appropriate page, and return to the proverbial drawing board.

Best of luck in any case.

Greg

 

[Stray]

Greg, I would not trade my XJR for a FLEET of Corsas, even if they all had cavernous bins for exhausts and LEDs blinking out of every orifice. Tried riding with the helmet backwards, but it causes my head to get cold at the point where my hair ends and the bald patch begins.

More electrical testing today - I'll try not to blow any more new holes in the bodywork.

And Greg's right: if it will pass MOT, I don't really give a monkey's that the brake light flashes/dims a little with the indicators on.

Stray

[GregXJR]

Tried riding with the helmet backwards, but it causes my head to get cold at the point where my hair ends and the bald patch begins.

Respect!! I shall have to be more careful what I put in my posts. " Well, Officer, it's like this. There's this guy on the internet I've never met and he said to put my lid on back to front...."

Or just change my "Username" now and again!!

Alternatively "Caveat Emptor!!"

All the best

Greg