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Author Topic: No head light  (Read 1955 times)

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Gumbo

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No head light
« on: September 22, 2017, 02:58:25 PM »
Ok was having a problem with the bike starting, checked everything voltage wise, come to conclusion it was the switch, took it apart cleaned everything slapped it back and perfect starts as it always did!!
Now no headlight, all other lights are working fine, checked fuse 10AMP fine, any ideas??
What are to two leads that attach to the switch housing under the front brake for, thinking they might have something to do with the problem.
« Last Edit: September 22, 2017, 03:02:10 PM by Gumbo »
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\"The moment you taste it, something wet and dark leaps on you and starts humping you like a swamp dog in heat, and the only way to get it off you is to eat it off, It\'s Gumbo!! If you don\'t eat it then the mystery beast will go right on humping you.

matap

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Re: No head light
« Reply #1 on: September 22, 2017, 03:02:09 PM »
There must something not touching inside the switch.  Since it turned on before and now the bike turns the switch is designed to turn power off to light while cranking.  So it has to be back in that switch.  pull it apart again and make sure the tabs are all connecting.  I remember having to take apart the switch on my old 1800 for a similar reason. 
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Gumbo

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Re: No head light
« Reply #2 on: September 22, 2017, 03:05:22 PM »
Quote from: matap on September 22, 2017, 03:02:09 PM
There must something not touching inside the switch.  Since it turned on before and now the bike turns the switch is designed to turn power off to light while cranking.  So it has to be back in that switch.  pull it apart again and make sure the tabs are all connecting.  I remember having to take apart the switch on my old 1800 for a similar reason.

Taken it apart two times, let me give it another go, third time might be the charm.  :thumbup:
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\"The moment you taste it, something wet and dark leaps on you and starts humping you like a swamp dog in heat, and the only way to get it off you is to eat it off, It\'s Gumbo!! If you don\'t eat it then the mystery beast will go right on humping you.

Gumbo

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Re: No head light
« Reply #3 on: September 22, 2017, 04:16:25 PM »
If all else fails, replace bulb!!!
Done and done!
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\"The moment you taste it, something wet and dark leaps on you and starts humping you like a swamp dog in heat, and the only way to get it off you is to eat it off, It\'s Gumbo!! If you don\'t eat it then the mystery beast will go right on humping you.

Rocket67

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Re: No head light
« Reply #4 on: September 25, 2017, 06:49:22 AM »
Quote from: Gumbo on September 22, 2017, 04:16:25 PM
If all else fails, replace bulb!!!
Done and done!

Problem: Headlight does not work.
Solution: Replace headlight


LOL. 
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-Scott
2019 FLHXS

Gumbo

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Re: No head light
« Reply #5 on: September 25, 2017, 10:43:28 AM »
Blew the bulb while trouble shooting!
All is well in VTX land!
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\"The moment you taste it, something wet and dark leaps on you and starts humping you like a swamp dog in heat, and the only way to get it off you is to eat it off, It\'s Gumbo!! If you don\'t eat it then the mystery beast will go right on humping you.

paffap

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Re: No head light
« Reply #6 on: September 25, 2017, 11:28:08 AM »
Its nice to get your bulb blown.
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Gumbo

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Re: No head light
« Reply #7 on: September 25, 2017, 02:54:29 PM »
Quote from: paffap on September 25, 2017, 11:28:08 AM
Its nice to get your bulb blown.

Getting your bulb blown ever so often aint so bad :D
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\"The moment you taste it, something wet and dark leaps on you and starts humping you like a swamp dog in heat, and the only way to get it off you is to eat it off, It\'s Gumbo!! If you don\'t eat it then the mystery beast will go right on humping you.

bluestreak

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Re: No head light
« Reply #8 on: May 19, 2020, 11:37:25 PM »
I know my response is three years late....................but this info is good for future trouble shooting.


If you determined your bulb was the actual issue .............That's good you found the problem.
I have also seen the headlight stay OFF immediatly after a normal startup event.

The headlight should go out during cranking when you attempt to start the bike.  This is a normal occurance.  It should come back on after you release the start button.  If not............The following may be happening.

The starter switch on the handlebar is a two pole device.
One of the two poles of the switch controls the headlight circuit ..........the other controls the starter motor.  During a START event.......... When you push the start button...........Honda disconnects the headlight so the starter gets full current to crank the engine when you push the START button.
If the contacts that control the headlight stick in the OFF position (when you pushed the start button)..................The headlight will remain OFF even though you released the button.........the starter has stopped spinning........the engine has started....... and it is running fine.  Everything will be fine and you can still ride the bike, even though the headlight is not ON.

If this happens after the bike has started....... Gently bang on the right handlebar control housing with something hard to shock the housing in an attempt the release the HEADLIGHT electrical contacts........... but not hard enough break the housing....(duhhhhh!).  That housing contains the START/HEADLIGHT contacts button ..........and that might release the electrical contacts which will cause the headlight contacts to release and to light up again.  If it stays stuck in the OFF position and will not release by it self after a START event and you release the button.................You'll need to pull it apart and manually un-stick the switch contact points (pry them apart) and re-dress them with a point file or fine sand paper so they will not stick again or just replace that entire switch assembly which will be costly.
The button may be dragging in the housing or the button spring may be collapsed and too weak from old age.  Expand the spring a little to put more pressure on the button to make sure it releases cleanly when you get your thumb off the button.

This issue could also be caused due to running a very high wattage headlight bulb.  The high wattage draw will cause a larger than normal arc at the switch contact points every time you start the bike. Exceeding the switch amp rating from using a high wattage bulb can eventually cause the points to melt and stick.
« Last Edit: May 20, 2020, 04:47:36 PM by bluestreak »
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xcaliber

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Re: No head light
« Reply #9 on: May 20, 2020, 06:51:31 AM »
a little late but always good to know. Welcome back.
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