xj owners...

[tbcfreerider]

so my oil height * bike on center stand is closer to the top line... i notice when the bike is cold, the oil warning light come on and shuts off , repeats that until the bike is warm... is this normal?

also any alt gauge clusters that look better and are more current that you have used? *pics if you have them please.

[Ivan]

IIRC the XJ uses an oil level sensor instead of pressure sensor.

So, you might check to see if the switch is making good contact, and that the wiring is oggd too.

[trbig]

Ivan is correct. The sensors get old, and don't quite work as designed a lot of times. They get clogged up, etc. I just ended up disconnecting the wire. I get a fail on startup.. but it doesn't make the light blink any more.

No, not the perfect solution. You might try running your oil right at the top line and see if it likes that? The brake sensor on mine will come on if either of the brake fluid resevoirs aren't completely filled to nearly overflowing.. so maybe it just likes the levels completely full?

And no, I've never heard of anyone using more modern clusters on the XJ. Several electronics you'd have to overcome.

Tod

[tbcfreerider]

also on your xj11s do your front turn signals double as running lights? just the front not the back? i replaced a turn signal and noticed if i leave the blue wire unplugged they dont stay on, if i plug the blue wire in, they act as running lights...


also you spokr of unplugging "that wire" can u explain please?

[TopCatGr58]

Hey TBC,

Yes, the blue wire is for a RUNNING light/filament. The green or brown wires are the turn signal power leads. You need to have a light with the dual filament type socket and bulb to be able to have both the running lights and the turn signals. The fronts were what had the running, not the rears.

I believe that Tod was saying just to unplug the wire coming from the brake sensor sending unit.
T.C.

[trbig]

I believe that Tod was saying just to unplug the wire coming from the brake sensor sending unit.

I was saying that the brake levels like to be very full before the warning light will go off so suggested the oil may be the same. I wouldn't know because I disconnected the wire going to the oil level sensor . My warning light would go off quite a bit.. especially if cornering or doing a wheelie or something.. even though it was full. I got tired of turning off the little flashy light all the time. The oil level sensor on the XJ is in the oil pan. On the bottom left side of the pan against the frame, there's a tiny wire attached to the sensor with a very small phillips screw. I just disconnected the wire there. I show an oil fail on the dash all the time, but it only makes the light flash one time on startup. Just be sure to check your oil level after that. I never depended on that sensor anyway for that.

Tod

[Ivan]

I don't know why Yamaha did that, I can see needing an oil level sensor if they leaked like a Studebaker, but an oil pressure switch is much more sensible. So, would it be possible to use a switch from an XS, and just run the original wire from the switch to the oil pressure switch? Might need the fitting from the lower end of the oil tube that sends oil to the top of the head, along with the switch, but in theory it should work...?

Another thought would be, since, IIRC the level switch installs from the bottom up, why not get a couple brass sealing washers and shim that thing down a bit, so the switch isn't as high in the case, and would trip at a lower level. This still doesn't help with knowing if you have pressure or not.

[trbig]

I tried to make an oil pressure switch work when I had the 78 motor in my bike. I still got a fail every time. There's something in the electronics apparently when it gets to the dash that it didn't like. It seems to me it would be 12v completing a circuit or it wouldn't be.

As for having it sit lower, I don't think the problem is so much oil level making the fail light flash as it is simply an old switch getting years of crud in it to where it works sometimes, and not others. If it were simply a matter of oil level, a person could just add a bit more oil instead of trying to lower that and get it to seal somehow on the pan.

Tod

[Jerry]

As to why Yamaha put in the sensor instead of the switch...

A pressure switch will only indicate low (or no) oil pressure. The idea was to let you know you oil was low before getting to the the point where an oil pressure warning would come on.

My XJ does the same thing, oil level sensor comes on when there is plenty of oil in the sump, usually on colder days. It usually goes off after 2- 4 miles. Last time I checked the sensor was no longer available from Yamaha.

Trbig is correct when he says the sensor probably gets crudded up; if you want to try and clean the sensor, it comes out of the bottom of the oil pan. A single green wire is hooked to the sensor, and 2 bolts hold it in place. There is a gasket that seals the sensor to the oil pan. I have not tried cleaning mine. I have switched to 5W - 30 oil for colder riding seasons (fall and spring), this seems to have helped.

Basically this is typical XJ "personality" behaviour.

[DELL82]

Cleaning the oil sensor

I had a similar problem with my sensor in that it worked when the engine was warm not cold.
I removed the sensor and using Naphtha (Common products made with it include lighter fluid, fuel for camp stoves, and some cleaning solvents.) submerged the sensor and sloshed it around until I could remove it and shake it like a paint can and have a rattle inside. Once it reacted with the shaking I continued the cleaning with Naphtha until I could rotate the sensor, in the direction as if the bike fell down then up etc., and could feel the sensor move freely inside. Re installed the sensor and have had no problems since, even on start.
My $ worth:
Dell82