No power to headlights

[Evil Mitch]

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

oh seems only my parkers are coming on but highbeam still works
all fuses seem fine
but the dealership will solve it for me tomorrow so all is good

 

[HellFire]

Wouldn't that be something if both low beams burned out at the same time? LOL

 

[Evil Mitch]

Wouldn't that be something if both low beams burned out at the same time? LOL

lol yeah
I think it might be a wiring thing though cos i have fat highwayhawk bars and the wiring is internal . I had a problem starting it last week and the dealership "who didnt install the bars" found a couple of broken solders inside the bars and fixed it for me.
starts fine now but no low beam lol.
oh well guess ill find out tomorrow whats wrong with the big pom

 

[Evil Mitch]

headlights

What the hell now they work again i think its posessed

 

[atomsplitter]

What the hell now they work again i think its posessed

Gremlins at play.

 

[tdragger]

alright, the ghost of Lucas is alive and well.

Last night I tore everything down (covers off, seat removed, tank lifted, etc.) and started probing around with the multimeter trying to track down this gremlin.

Fuse in the stock fuse block is good (both headlights and starter). Starter will engage and start the engine which runs just fine. Just no headlights with the blue highbeam indicator lit.

With the EB H4 kit, I have the power lead running back through an EB PC-8 fuse block and all is good there (fuse good, voltage on the load side, etc.).

Next I pulled the Starter Relay (some Hella 5-pin 20/30 amp unit). I was able to get 12.5v through the 30 hole which tells me that power is getting to the relay. What I don't know is which pin the headlights get their power from on the load side of the relay. It has to be 87 or 87a. So here's the weird part: I partially reinsert the relay to that I could probe for voltage on the pins. I turn the key and low and behold the headlights come on. I fully insert the relay and all further tests are good.

Today, I started up the bike, so far so good. At lunch I go out to run home and NO HEADLIGHTS. $(#*$*#@!!!!

Autozone does not carry the appropriate relay so now the quest is on to find a local supply. I can order one online (12 VDC Tyco 5-Pin Relay SPDT 20/30A (Formerly Bosch)) but I don't want to wait.

Any suggestions?

 

[atomsplitter]

alright, the ghost of Lucas is alive and well.

Last night I tore everything down (covers off, seat removed, tank lifted, etc.) and started probing around with the multimeter trying to track down this gremlin.

Fuse in the stock fuse block is good (both headlights and starter). Starter will engage and start the engine which runs just fine. Just no headlights with the blue highbeam indicator lit.

With the EB H4 kit, I have the power lead running back through an EB PC-8 fuse block and all is good there (fuse good, voltage on the load side, etc.).

Next I pulled the Starter Relay (some Hella 5-pin 20/30 amp unit). I was able to get 12.5v through the 30 hole which tells me that power is getting to the relay. What I don't know is which pin the headlights get their power from on the load side of the relay. It has to be 87 or 87a. So here's the weird part: I partially reinsert the relay to that I could probe for voltage on the pins. I turn the key and low and behold the headlights come on. I fully insert the relay and all further tests are good.

Today, I started up the bike, so far so good. At lunch I go out to run home and NO HEADLIGHTS. $(#*$*#@!!!!

Autozone does not carry the appropriate relay so now the quest is on to find a local supply. I can order one online (12 VDC Tyco 5-Pin Relay SPDT 20/30A (Formerly Bosch)) but I don't want to wait.

Any suggestions?

Your relay is sticking upon release of the starter button (likely spring is sprung). The relay uses a solenoid to pull the contacter to the starter circuit, when the bike starts and you release the button a spring should return the relay to the light circuit. It's making it part way there. When you jostled it it closed the gap. Rap on it with a screwdriver handle and see if your lights don't come back on. The relay is working to pull the gate into the starter, but you rely on a spring return to normal (light circuit). Other than surgery, replace it with another 5-pin change-over relay.
Try VWP - relayshttp://www.r3owners.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1362&d=1302795293

 

[HellFire]

Those relays have removable covers. You could verify this failure by taking off the cover and plugging it back it to watch the contact move (or not move). If it's a matter of it sticking because of the spring, you could fiddle with that too. If the tungsten coated contact is just dirty, running a dollar bill between them will clean the contact of debris.

 

[kmrmike]

Ebay has plenty of those relays...cheap!

 

[tdragger]

Well, it isn't the relay. Found a replacement at the local Carquest but the situation did not change. I'm starting to suspect ignition switch again. Yes, I do have the EB H4 relay kit. Tear down again tomorrow.