XJ11 Front Turn signals

[KA1J]

The turn signals that came on this XJ11 were not stock. The work fine but don't look right. They're black plastic rectangles with a flexible arm that bolts to the headlight. They don't have the square section that fits into the square hole grommet although the flexible arm they do have is less likely to get damaged if bumped.

Late last year I bought a couple of the two piece turn signals I thought were for the front but today when I went to put them in I see they're actually rear turn signals with the 3 wires.

Other than having an electrical fixture for a tail bulb, is there any reason why I should not use these for the front turns? If I wire them correctly so the turn part is engaged, I would only use the one bulb on the bike for turn signals & the same spare would also be what's needed for the rear tail light. That would be convenient...

Always something interesting...

Getting closer...

[cywelchjr]

The turn signals that came on this XJ11 were not stock. The work fine but don't look right. They're black plastic rectangles with a flexible arm that bolts to the headlight. They don't have the square section that fits into the square hole grommet although the flexible arm they do have is less likely to get damaged if bumped.

Late last year I bought a couple of the two piece turn signals I thought were for the front but today when I went to put them in I see they're actually rear turn signals with the 3 wires.

Other than having an electrical fixture for a tail bulb, is there any reason why I should not use these for the front turns? If I wire them correctly so the turn part is engaged, I would only use the one bulb on the bike for turn signals & the same spare would also be what's needed for the rear tail light. That would be convenient...

Always something interesting...

Getting closer...

I believe the XJ uses dual filament bulbs in the front, which means that they are also running lights. At least that is my understanding of things, unlike the XS specials, in that way it's more like the standards I believe.

[KA1J]

I believe the XJ uses dual filament bulbs in the front, which means that they are also running lights. At least that is my understanding of things, unlike the XS specials, in that way it's more like the standards I believe.

Interesting, I didn't think of that but it well could be correct.

I didn't see any obvious unusued terminals inside the headlight & the aftermarket turns installed were connected with the same stock banana plugs. I'll have to see if I can find a third & unused female connection to check out with the Fluke.

I looked for awhile last night to find the connections & color coding they have going to the front turns (flashers) and I found a bit in the manual on them but will have to revisit that later today as I haven't found any solution yet.

If anyone has a photo of how the XJ11 connections to the front turns are clearly made in the headlight cavity, that would be a real help.

[fredintoon]

Late last year I bought a couple of the two piece turn signals I thought were for the front but today when I went to put them in I see they're actually rear turn signals with the 3 wires.
Other than having an electrical fixture for a tail bulb, is there any reason why I should not use these for the front turns? If I wire them correctly so the turn part is engaged, I would only use the one bulb on the bike for turn signals & the same spare would also be what's needed for the rear tail light. That would be convenient...

Hi KA1J,
these signals have a separate bulb for a running light?
Not a twin filament bulb that does both?
Strange. Can you post a photo?
But if you like the way they look, bolt them on.
You can always piggyback power from someplace in the headlight shell to connect the running lights too.

[crazy steve]

I believe the XJ uses dual filament bulbs in the front, which means that they are also running lights. At least that is my understanding of things, unlike the XS specials, in that way it's more like the standards I believe.

Yes, if these have amber lenses, they're front lights. It's illegal as far as I know everywhere in north america to have anything other than turn signals in the rear with amber lenses. If you can get red lenses, they can be used as running/turn at the back...

I'll note that if the XJ wasn't originally equipped with front running lights, pay attention where you pick up power for them. If the XJ uses more-or-less the same wiring as the XS 'special' models, you won't find a fused 'taillight' wire in the headlight bucket. I put front running lights on my SG by tapping into the blue taillight wire coming off the ignition switch, but that wire is only protected by the 'main' fuse until it goes back to the fusebox. I put an in-line fuseholder in for the lights.

[KA1J]

Fred, didn't mean to mislead, there is only one bulb in these but there are two elements in it, just like the taillight/turn signal on my trailer.

Steve, yuppers, these are amber and have three wires; blue, brown & black.

The socket is insulated from the metal assembly by a rubber mount which is held in place by a strap that is attached by screws. The black wire goes to the socket and because of the insulation there is no connectivity between body & socket. I haven't explored which light the blue and brown excite.

I'll have to look more deeply to see if I can find any mention of running lights for the front on the XJ11, looking for 20 minutes or so in the manual didn't tell me but I might have missed it.

The mount that attaches to the bucket & bolts to the outer part of the signal is bent a bit, not much but I'll try and straighten it. Won't try too hard, I suspect the metal itself is pretty brittle and won't bend & will break if I try too hard.

Head is now torqued down!

Closer...

[crazy steve]

You probably won't find anything in the manual, you'll have to check the wiring diagram. If the XJ was equipped with front running lights, they should be fed off the same circuit as the taillight.

[fredintoon]

More worms in the can

Fred, didn't mean to mislead, there is only one bulb in these but there are two elements in it, just like the taillight/turn signal on my trailer. - - -
The mount that attaches to the bucket & bolts to the outer part of the signal is bent a bit, not much but I'll try and straighten it. - - -

Hi KA1J,
now check the bulb wattage. The stock flasher will only work with a 27Watt bulb in each signal lamp. If your dual filament bulb is a 27W/6W you'll be OK. Most auto turn signal/running light bulbs are 22W/6W and you'll need an aftermarket flasher to work them (and lose the self cancelling feature thereby)
My experience in straightening those hollow threaded stalks is they straighten OK at red heat but snap off if you try to straighten them cold.

[cywelchjr]

Hi KA1J,
now check the bulb wattage. The stock flasher will only work with a 27Watt bulb in each signal lamp. If your dual filament bulb is a 27W/6W you'll be OK. Most auto turn signal/running light bulbs are 22W/6W and you'll need an aftermarket flasher to work them (and lose the self cancelling feature thereby)
My experience in straightening those hollow threaded stalks is they straighten OK at red heat but snap off if you try to straighten them cold.

I've generally found that if it's bent just a little, that I can bend it back straight cold ONCE. After that, all bets are off, but yes, heat does help, every bit of temp you raise it makes it less likely to break when you go to make it straight, and out of the thing with no wires in it, you can use other methods of making sure it's REALLY straight.

[lancelot455]

I'll take some pics of my xj turn signal wires in the headlight bucket in the morning for you. There are no front running light though and i know there are only 2 wires for each signal light.

[Cobia]

XJ front running/signal lights

Here in the US, running lights are required as far as I know. My XJ front signal light fixtures have the three wire configuration and have two filament bulbs. The rear ones are of the two wire/single filament variety.

[billsxj11]

My XJ11 has 3 wires on the front turn signals also and 2 wires on the rear.

[Jamie]

My '82 XJ has three (3) wire in the front and three (3) wire in the back for daytime running lights. These were not stock, I added later only for preference, and to add, the rear have "red" lenses which are legal here in Oklahoma. All flashers have been changed to the dual filament recepticle and use the 27w bulbs. If you need anything additonal, just let me know.

Jamie