No lights!!

DrFox · Post by **DrFox** » Mon Oct 07, 2002 5:23 am

Hi guys, took the old girl out for a thrash yesterday, only to find my headlights not working!! I havent had a chance to have a proper look yet, but I`m guessing the switch is faulty- main beam works on flash/pass so It`s unlikely the bulbs have gone. I wondered if the switches on these bikes are a weak point? Like I said, I havent checked the wireing or anything yet, just thinking aloud really!

flyingcircus68 · Post by **flyingcircus68** » Mon Oct 07, 2002 7:32 pm

I see that nobody has helped you yet. Its that time of year where the days are shorter, so you will need some form of light in the near future, and I hate thinking that out of desperation you might be zipping around one armed with a flashlight bouncing a weak yellow beam off what you think is a cat crossing the road, causing you to stomp on the brakes and straining the double sided tape that has your behind anchored to the saddle. Here it goes: the power circuit goes from the positive of your battery to the main fuse (30amp), then to the main switch. From there it goes through a fat light brown wire to the head light fuse; enroute to that fuse, it branches out to the ignition system fuse/circuit with a red/white wire. Lets get back to the brown wire. after the headlight fuse, it goes to the starter switch on its normally closed, or conducting, side. from the starter switch it goes to the High/low switch via a blue/black wire. from the high/low switch a yellow wire feeds the high lamp and a green feeds the low lamp. If your bike runs, but your lights are out, your problem has to occur after the brown wire branches to the ignition system. start with your head lampe fuse. if you have power there, its either the starter switch, or the high/low switch. Put a pin in the blue/black wire going to the high/low and check for voltage. if it reads, you have a bad high low switch, if not, its your starter switch. Thats about all I could ethically share without the receipt of royalties.

DrFox · Post by **DrFox** » Tue Oct 08, 2002 5:56 am

Yup, dreading trying to ride whilst holding a torch!! Looks like I`ve got a busy weekend coming up!

DrFox · Post by **DrFox** » Thu Oct 17, 2002 8:46 am

Wahey!!! Fixed it! bad connection on the slide part of the switch, the copper contacts had corroded. Took it apart, cleaned them up with Scotchbrite and WD40. Sorted.

flyingcircus68 · Post by **flyingcircus68** » Thu Oct 17, 2002 11:13 am

Corrosion is always the primary electrical culprit. I don't know if you guys would consider it too dorky, but I use a leaf blower to dry out the connectors, switches and nooks which collect water after sudsing up the stallion. All these areas collect water, with detergent (worse), and don't normally dry out quickly, even if you go for a ride. Oh yeah, I should mention that before I wash, I soak WD-40 into all the exposed threads such as the axles to prevent water from migrating in with capillary action.

YZFRob · Post by **YZFRob** » Wed Oct 30, 2002 9:38 pm

MIght as well order a new one. Once the switch starts acting up, it wont be long before the wires disinigrate leaving you without lights. Mine did that when I was in Chicago. Rode teh 100 miles home without headlights. Good thing it was daytime. Rob

DrFox · Post by **DrFox** » Thu Oct 31, 2002 3:55 pm

When I pulled the switch appart, it all looked ok inside, just a spot of corrosion on the contacts- the wires looked fine. Being the tight git that I am, I`ll probably wait until it really gives up before buying a new one!!

flyingcircus68 · Post by **flyingcircus68** » Thu Oct 31, 2002 7:10 pm

I'm with you on being cheap. There is no need to change it unless there is corrosion on the wire crimp point. Don't make the mistake of applying dielectric grease to the contacts to prevent further corrosion. The film will add resistance and lead to burned contacts.

Dirty · Post by **Dirty** » Mon Apr 14, 2003 6:21 am

i have a similiar problem except i didnt loose my lights completly, i was driving my bike in my garage the other day and it stalled, the lights went out, i started it back up and nothing. fliped the key off a couple of times to no avail. but the next day it worked. now every once in a while they go off but always come back after a while. not a good situation at night.

DrFox · Post by **DrFox** » Mon Apr 14, 2003 3:31 pm

That sounds like a dodgy electrical connection to me. Make sure the terminals on the battery are clean and lightly greased - Vaseline is best. If that doesnt cure it, check all the connections to ensure they`re not corroded.

Dirty · Post by **Dirty** » Mon Apr 14, 2003 10:10 pm

it was somthing stupid. the start switch was sticking on just a little sometimes, not enough to keep the starter engaged but as soon as you pull it out the lights come back on. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/pimp.gif ALT=":hat">

EXUP Worldwide

No lights!!

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connections

figured it out