Headlight intermittent

[YogiBear]

I have a problem with my headlight. It is intermittent. Some of the time while I'm out riding it will just go out. Or sometimes I'll go to the garage to start it up for a ride and the headlight won't come on. It is the strangest thing. I know for a fact the bulb is good and the headlight plug is a brand new ceramic unit. Any ideas what this could be?

 

[Bobdot]

Gotta be a loose connection or a short. Grab you wiring diagram and trace every wire that has anything to do with your headlamp. Make sure you have good connections and there is no bare wire anywhere. If you bike has the ability to completely turn off the headlight with a switch, check that too. Could be faulty or corroded.

bob.

 

[YogiBear]

Gotta be a loose connection or a short. Grab you wiring diagram and trace every wire that has anything to do with your headlamp. Make sure you have good connections and there is no bare wire anywhere. If you bike has the ability to completely turn off the headlight with a switch, check that too. Could be faulty or corroded.

bob.

I peeled back part of the harness behind the headlight and all the wires looked good. I also took apart the left handlebar switch and as far as I can tell everything looks fine but I'm concerned about corrosion in there that I can't see.

 

[VonYinzer]

As Bob stated, it has to be a wiring issue if the headlight itself is ok. Lightbulbs are simple. Power and ground. Thats it. Either the power or ground is losing its connection.

 

[Redbird]

Not sure if it's a feature on your bike, but the starter switch sometimes interupts the headlight to put more juice to the starter. If your headlight goes out when you hit the starter button... it might be something loose in there as well

 

[YogiBear]

Not sure if it's a feature on your bike, but the starter switch sometimes interupts the headlight to put more juice to the starter. If your headlight goes out when you hit the starter button... it might be something loose in there as well

It does kill the headlight to start it. I have a feeling this is going to be quite in depth...

 

[Thunderchild]

Gotta be a loose connection or a short. Grab you wiring diagram and trace every wire that has anything to do with your headlamp. Make sure you have good connections and there is no bare wire anywhere. If you bike has the ability to completely turn off the headlight with a switch, check that too. Could be faulty or corroded.

bob.

Yep. Twist, pinch, and 'crunch' the wiring harness and see if you can make it go out. Wiggle the switch up/down & sideways. Intermittent electrical problem can be a b(#* to track down. You'll get it.

TC

 

[YogiBear]

Yep. Twist, pinch, and 'crunch' the wiring harness and see if you can make it go out. Wiggle the switch up/down & sideways. Intermittent electrical problem can be a b(#* to track down. You'll get it.

TC

I'll give it a whirl and post up my results. It would be great to get rid of this gremlin. fingers crossed

 

[YogiBear]

Update: So, I think I solved this problem. I found a spot on a group of wires that was exposed and would touch the lower triple tree when moved a certain way. I re-insulated them and haven't had problem since.

 

[Thunderchild]

Update: So, I think I solved this problem. I found a spot on a group of wires that was exposed and would touch the lower triple tree when moved a certain way. I re-insulated them and haven't had problem since.

Awesome! That's a high wear spot on the wiring, as you know. All that turning and stuff! Good job.

TC

 

[YogiBear]

Awesome! That's a high wear spot on the wiring, as you know. All that turning and stuff! Good job.

TC

Thank you, Thunderchild for suggesting it in the first place.