Topic: Lost headlight help

[bozo4onion]

My headlight quit working, both high and low. Everything else OK. I searched FAQ and believe the starter switch (headlight cut off) is the most probable cause. I didn't have my meter yesterday. Before I start today I'd like to know the best way to check this switch. Also my main fuse had a jumper wire around it. Fuse was good just jumpered. I know I should have noticed but I had PO blinders on. When I removed it the fuse got hot but never blew. I think this is the main fuse but my crappy diagram only shows 3 fuses instead of four so?? Thanks.

[goon 1492]

the hi/lo switch can be a bugger too, mine likes to flash on and off when switching from hi to lo. It needs cleaned sometimes so you might look at that too.

[bozo4onion]

Thanks goon. It would be strange to lose both HI and LO completely. Jiggled it plenty too. Right now I think it's the starter switch but that could change after I get a meter on it. How do you fix/replace either of these? Availability?

[my78k]

Dont trust just a visual inspect of the fuse. Sometimes they look good but due to heat or vibration they break contact at the ends where you can't see it. Check for continuity or if you have a spare throw it in just to be sure

Dennis

[bozo4onion]

I removed the jumper. Everything (fuse) still OK. But is the fuse supposed to be hot? Too hot to touch? What would causethis? Hungry stator? I've been riding the bike for a year w/no real problems. Till the headlight.

[my78k]

Well the fuse WAS ok when you removed the jumper. Likely the heat melted the connection at one end of the fuse.

As for the heat, corroded connectors, higher wattage bulb, could be the cause. I don't believe the fuse should get so hot you can't touch it!

Dennis

[bozo4onion]

Fuse STILL ok after about an hour of running. But hot

[my78k]

Sorry, I just realized that we were talking two separate fuses here. I thought you had indicated that your headlight fuse was hot not the main (I need to read more thoroughly!). That is why I mentioned about the fuse looking good but actually being dead....obviously if the main fails so does the whole bike.

As for the initial problem I suspect that it is a dead headlight fuse. As for the main heating up I suspect that you have alot of extra resistance from coroded connectors etc. It is never a bad idea to go through and thoroughly clean all the connectors and pack them with dilectric grease. Have you taken voltage readings at the main yet?

Dennis

[heffay]

"Lost headlight help"



^ where did you use it last?   

[bozo4onion]

Funny as a crutch heffay . I'll check some stuff tonight and repost when I find out more. I'm sure I've got 12V @ fuse box. The headlight blessed me with a brief appearance then shut off again. Now I'm more concerned w/finding a good printable version of a wiring diagram so I can test the headlight cut out @ the starter. How do I check that switch. It looks kinda complicated. Can I check for Voltage @ the dimmer? I assume if I have 12V @ the fuse and 0@ the dimmer I have a bad wire or a bad headlight cutout switch. No? Help....I miss my bike.