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No Headlights, usual suspects checked. Where next?
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2012 11:28 am
by _Will_
So the bike sat for a good while, runs and starts fine but have no headlights. Checked the fuse and it's fine, the infamous blue wire has long since been corrected (opened it up and hard wired for just low beams) and have opened it today and tried high and low with no result. Bulbs are fine and lights did flicker for a moment but went out. Any ideas on where to look next?
it's a 94 model that I already did the YZF VR upgrade to btw
Re: No Headlights, usual suspects checked. Where next?
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2012 1:51 pm
by kilika2
Did you put the multimeter to the bulb sockets to test for juice? Just curious. Also the speech went great. I went to 129slayer.com and killboy for some pics of you and I. A little shameless plug.
Chris.
Re: No Headlights, usual suspects checked. Where next?
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2012 1:54 pm
by DonTZ125
Check the starter button; this switch breaks the contact to the headlights before it makes the starter relay, to ensure max juice to the starter.
Re: No Headlights, usual suspects checked. Where next?
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2012 3:41 pm
by _Will_
DonTZ125 wrote:Check the starter button; this switch breaks the contact to the headlights before it makes the starter relay, to ensure max juice to the starter.
we have a winner! hit the switch and saw a little flicker. Some repeat hits freed it up and I now have lights and armed with a high of 74 and clear skies an appointment with a mountain tomorrow morning.
Don, my sincere thanks
Re: No Headlights, usual suspects checked. Where next?
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2012 3:49 pm
by DonTZ125
Most welcome. A few spritzes of WD-40 or the like through the button gap should keep it happy for a while, but you might want to consider doing a proper strip and clean.
Have fun on the ride!
Re: No Headlights, usual suspects checked. Where next?
Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 8:42 pm
by meteorman2
DonTZ125 wrote:Check the starter button; this switch breaks the contact to the headlights before it makes the starter relay, to ensure max juice to the starter.
Worked for me. Thanks a TON.

Re: No Headlights, usual suspects checked. Where next?
Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 8:36 pm
by acarte9
mine sticks a little bit and i have to pull it out to get my lights on every time i start mine... must be common
Re: No Headlights, usual suspects checked. Where next?
Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 8:51 pm
by DonTZ125
*shrug* It's a little spring-loaded button that's exposed to the elements. Gunk, water, small animals crawl in there and screw things up. It doesn't need as much maintenance as your chain (for example), but all the moving parts need occasional love and attention.
Re: No Headlights, usual suspects checked. Where next?
Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 10:24 pm
by GreyImport
DonTZ125 wrote:*shrug* It's a little spring-loaded button that's exposed to the elements. Gunk, water, small animals crawl in there and screw things up. It doesn't need as much maintenance as your chain (for example), but all the moving parts need occasional love and attention.
Especially on 20+ yr old bikes! .......

No Headlights, usual suspects checked. Where next?
Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2012 1:03 am
by _Will_
Very true, glad someone else got use of my problem and Don's advice. That's why this site is here.
And mines only 18 years old and was new when I was still in High School. Tomorrow I'm taking her up to Deals Gap for the last time before it turns into a winter wonderland.
Re: No Headlights, usual suspects checked. Where next?
Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2012 2:31 am
by LoneFizzer
DonTZ125 wrote:A few spritzes of WD-40 or the like through the button gap should keep it happy for a while, but you might want to consider doing a proper strip and clean.
WD-40 is a quick fix to get you moving. However WD-40 is flammable imagin a fire starting close to your right hand , unlikely but possible

You may burn your hands, think of the other road users when you jump off the bike to avoid the flames
Yes it's unlikely but possible, I'm sure Don would agree that the switch should be stripped down (take photos to assist you in the rebuild) then cleaned with switch cleaner, coat it with dialectic grease (NON flammable). Hopefully then the problem will not reappear