| Author | Message | ||
     Mtnmason |
sorry to keep bombarding the xboard but the headache is beginning to set in. I spend a few hours on the bike preparing for the big trip this w/e - new EBC HHs, new plugs, fresh oil. I go to pick the bike up from the shop where I work. Stick the key in, turn it to "on" so I can see to roll around to the front of the shop where I'll gear up to take her home. Lights beaming bright as ever. Switch on the Hi for a little extra illumination. Works great. Turn the key "off" to go back inside and lock up. Come back out, switch key "on", hit run - fires up. I walk over to the car to say something to the lady, turn back around to walk to the running bike. NO LIGHTS. Killed the engine, switched back and forth from "off" to "on". Nothing. Checked fuses - all good. No lose wires anywhere that I could see. Strangely enough the Hi-beam indicator remains lit regardless of the switch position. I'll be headed back to the shop first thing t/m to see if any miracles occurred overnight, but as for now, shit on an awesome trip. | ||
| Mtnmason |
btw - horn, blinkers, brake lights all function properly. i hope this is as simple as something behind the headlights wiggling loose. It just really irks me that this happens right after i did a bunch of routine maintenance to it. When it comes to the electrical realm I possess no more aptitude than a caveman. | ||
| Froggy |
Bad ground behind the flyscreen/fairing. | ||
| Mtnmason |
thx Frog. you sound pretty confident that thats the prob. I'll head out and start looking over wires so I can get on the road. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Check the wiring bundle that comes around the frame into the flyscreen as well. And check the wire bundle that goes up to the ECM under the seat. Don't assume the problem will be big or obvious... it can be a little nick touching a sharp edge (like the sharp edge of a battery terminal). | ||
| Syonyk |
Check the bulbs?  I spent about 30 minutes with a voltmeter at one point before figuring out that a bulb was dead. But if the "Hi" indicator is lit regardless of switch position, I'd guess ground or fault in the headlight switch or wiring. A voltmeter is your friend here. Failing that, a friend with a voltmeter would be useful. | ||
| Tootal |
If the ground is good then start the bike and check voltage at the battery. If your stator fails it will blow the voltage regulator and the first things to blow are the headlights. This is worse case scenario but that's what happened to me. I was getting 17 volts at the battery. Unusual it would be this at idle but worth checking if you don't find anything else. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I had the headlight ground wire break on mine too. If I didn't have the auxiliary driving lights, I would have had a very interesting ride home that night. | ||
| Roysbuell |
+1 on check your ground. Mine felt fine but it wasn't crimped right. | ||
| Mtnmason |
thanks a million everyone. i would pay good $ for this site if it wasnt free. So this a.m. I head to the shop, grab some dielectric grease and start pulling-greasing- reconnecting wires one by one. The white connector that leads to the bulbs ended up being the one. "AWESOME", I say, and begin my 6+ hr. trip. No sooner do I make it up the mountain to Boone than I notice the hi-beam indicator on again. I pull over, dis/re-connect. Nothing. I am convinced that it is the ground that isnt making connection but where do I find it? I traced the wires back to the ignition switch, disconnected another few wires but no such luck. Im sure I looked like a complete moron waving my hand over my head everytime I passed an on-coming car w/ its left blinker on (about 4 times). HUGE day of riding planned for tomorrow but Im not gonna try and brave it w/o lights (aside from the fact that its law) | ||
| Tootal |
The ground is on the front of the frame where the fork bearings are. There's four wires on two eyelets. The wire usually breaks inside the plastic. Wiggle them around and see if you lights come on. I took all four and soldered them together with a 16 gauge single wire about three inches long. I looped it and put a single eyelet on it and screwed it back on. No more problems. | ||
| Roysbuell |
Exactly where Tootal described is where my fault was. Good luck. Your on the right track just have to look a little longer. | ||
| Mtnmason |
it's in the connector. seat it to where it clicks in - no lights. slide it in just before the lock point - lights up. i'm glad i always travel with a roll of tape. thanks and safe riding to all. | ||
| Andymnelson |
PM me if you need a new connector....I think I still have 1 left... | ||
| Andymnelson |
Here's the thread that shows what I bought: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show .cgi?tpc=32777&post=2106375#POST2106375 | ||
| Mtnmason |
Sweet. I'm gonna check the parts depot for a compatible connector. It still wants to wiggle the connection loose while riding, forcing me to reach under the fairing. A quick jiggle and squeeze works (he he he) but it is rather nagging and will remain so until I can get the permanent solution. Again, thanks to everyone. This forum is invaluable. | ||
| Syonyk |
If it's the white connector that hooks the wiring harness the the bulbs, disassemble, clean, and re-spring the connections. You'll need to remove the female wire bits from their plastic, which I believe involves a small nail somehow. Clean up the contacts, then bend the contacts "open" so they're making better contact with the male terminals. You've probably had some heat build up, and lead to things getting not-springy, so they don't make good contact. I wouldn't be surprised to see arcing & pitting on the male contacts. I fought with this on mine for a while, then finally took it apart, cleaned everything up, bent the prongs out, and I've not had an issue since. | ||
| Ducxl |
That's EXACTLY the gremlin i chased for far too long! I finally put it to bed by cleaning the contact and bending the spade slightly.It was the white wire from my low beam where it plugs into the black sheathed plug.The plug was somewhat corroded and getting VERY hot. |
