Topic: honda cb550f electrical problem

[cafe-ray]

First thing is that my headlight just went out. Worked fine before and then just died. I took a volt meter and checked the socket, no power. I then changed the fuses and looked for any disconnected wires and still have no power.

The other problem is that the brake (led) and plate lights I wired up are acting screwy. When the bike is off the brake light works but I have no running lights. When the bike is off and the key is turned to the top position both running lights come on but the brake wont illuminate.

Any ideas?  

[flat_black_forever]

do you have a wiring diagram for the bike?

[cafe-ray]

I have a wiring diagram, and everything seems to wired correctly.

[flat_black_forever]

check the wires on your key switch

[TwoTired]

Check for power at your headlight fuse.  If none, then check your starter button.  It interrupts power when the starter is engaged.  There is a plastic housing inside the controls for the starter button switch.  If the Master cylinder leaks brake fluid inside, the plastic disintegrates, and the metal contacts inside the switch become disoriented.
You may still have a starter contact, but the headlight contact may not connect anymore.

Cheers,

[cafe-ray]

The starter buton on the bike is missing, I have to kick it to start. Also would that cause the problem for the tail lights?

[OldSchool_IsCool]

You have a lot going on here, Ray, I suggest you concentrate on the most serious issue and wrestle it to the ground.  Move on to the other issues if they still exist after fixing problem #1.  Typical divide and conquer troubleshooting.

I've always found the wiring diagrams ('zpecially the interactive ones) at this site to be VERY helpful:

www.oldmanhonda.com

Study the diagrams, get familiar with the wire colors specific to your bike.  Start at one end of the circuit or the other and trace it out.  Look for any point where your voltages suddenly change.  Make sure your ground wires (typically GREEN) are all good.

By the way, welcome to the forum!  Unbelievable cache of knowledge, talent and experience here!

[TwoTired]

The starter buton on the bike is missing, I have to kick it to start. Also would that cause the problem for the tail lights?

A missing starter button guarantees that you have electrical mods from stock done to your bike and it no longer matches the diagrams we have for reference.  Unless you describe all these mods to us, we cannot tell what is different and can only guess what is wrong with your bike.  Most likely, if you restore to stock condition per wire diagram, all the bits you want to work, will.

But, we cannot tell what is in the 14th crater to the left of the dark line on the moon, either. 

On the stock bike, the main tail light is powered from the Brown wire, or Green/yellow for stop.  The Brown wire source is the Key switch, (assuming you still have a key switch).
The key switch routes power from the Brown/White onto the Brown.  The Brown/White wire is powered from the fuse.  Do you have power at the fuse caps?

The solid Green wires are power return and must connect well between bulb sockets and Battery NEG terminal.

Good luck!

[SteveD CB500F]

In case you wondered, I removed the poll on the basis that I assume you hit a wrong button while submitting the thread.

TT is the site electrik guru.

Listen to what he says!