No power to headlights

[tdragger]

An interesting issue has popped up over the past week. Twice last week and again this morning, my headlights would not come on when the key is turned on or after starting the bike. The blue highbeam indicator is illuminated which is normal if both headlights are not burning. On the occassions last week, after a minute or so the headlights would suddenly come on and I would not have any problems after that.

For background, I have the Eastern Beaver H4 Relay kit installed which to date has worked flawlessly. About a month ago I added a Flash2Pass garage door opener to the highbeam circuit and it, too, has been working normally. I am on my 2nd ignition switch which is of the older type.

I'm scratching my head to understand why the headlights will be off at startup and then come on a few minutes later. Could it be a bad relay? I don't think so because there are two of them, one for each headlight. The Flash2Pass shouldn't be an issue since it is on the highbeam circuit. God, I hope it's not another ignition switch going bad.

Anyone have any ideas?

 

[HellFire]

Sorry Dragger, the only way is to use a test light or voltage meeter on each circuit when it's acting up. Intermittent electrical problems are a pain in the ars.
When it happened to mine it was the ignition switch, but my gauges didn't sweep and the bike wouldn't start at the same time.
I would go back and check all the connections on the H4 bypass wiring.

 

[Evil Mitch]

headlights

I also have a headlight problem
was riding home from work just now "nightshift" and thought bloody hell its dark my headlights arnt working so i pulled over had a look and they r on but very dull bottom bulbs so i had to ride with high beam on all the way home .
This is the first time i have had this problem

 

[atomsplitter]

Check your posi-lock connection (if used) on the H-4 relay kit. That's the connection from the wiring loom that supplies the voltage to switch the relays for battery voltage to your headlights. If that connection is not clean the relays may not be getting enough voltage to actuate.

 

[tdragger]

Check your posi-lock connection (if used) on the H-4 relay kit. That's the connection from the wiring loom that supplies the voltage to switch the relays for battery voltage to your headlights. If that connection is not clean the relays may not be getting enough voltage to actuate.

That's what I was thinking. If power is not getting through that connection then both relays won't actuate. Dang, just filled the tank and now going to have to raise it.

 

[Gothlander]

It could be the the starter relay, that's the one that cuts power to the lights while starting. The good news is that it's under the side cover and not the tank.

 

[tdragger]

It could be the the starter relay, that's the one that cuts power to the lights while starting. The good news is that it's under the side cover and not the tank.

mmm...didn't think of that. If it is a standard relay, I think that I have a spare in the toolbox. thanks for the tip.

 

[Gothlander]

mmm...didn't think of that. If it is a standard relay, I think that I have a spare in the toolbox. thanks for the tip.

I don't think it is a standard relay, it redirects the power from the headlights to the starter.

 

[tdragger]

of course it wouldn't be. the ghost of Lucas rises again.

 

[Gothlander]

Sometimes you can test it by tapping it to see if the lights come on.