Topic: 1976 CB550F Lost headlight and taillight, quit working.

[55 Truck]

My 550 recently lost the headlight and taillight as well as the running lights and the tach and speedo light. I have checked the fuses, cleaned the terminals  and all are fine. I suspect it is the headlight cutout switch that kills the power to the headlight when cranking. Question is, how do I check it to be sure?? And where is the switch?

[MoMo]

If it were that switch you'd only lose the h/l.  Check your ignition switch...Larry

[55 Truck]

Thanks MO for the reply but when the lights were working, the front amber running lights would go off with the headlight when cranking..............I assume the taillight should go off as well...........

[MoMo]

Thanks MO for the reply but when the lights were working, the front amber running lights would go off with the headlight when cranking..............I assume the taillight should go off as well...........

t/l is a separate circuit(brown wire)...Larry

[w1sa]

The ignition starter button HL cut-off control also cuts switched voltage to the speedo/ tacho illumination bulbs and the tail light/front running lights (if fitted).....If you lose all of these at once, the chances are high that you have lost continuity in the circuit between the B wire going to the cut-off switch (from the main key sw) and the Br/w wire from the cut-off switch to the wiring junction feeding each of those items....check the CB550 wiring diagram.

The ignition starter button HL cut-off control is inside the right hand (handlebar) control /sw unit. Use a multi-meter to assist and check for voltage and continuity as appropriate......remove/open and inspect the right hand control/sw unit as well if the fault does not become otherwise visible or obvious......  Cheers

[55 Truck]

OK, I now have a headlight but I still don't have the amber running lights on the front or the rear taillight.

[55 Truck]

Well I cheated. I jumped a black (hot) wire in the headlight and plugged it into the loose or spare brown wire in the headlight and Wah-La!  I now have headlight, tailight and running lights........................................