lighting

[Gary Klop]

I rode my bike through one heck of a thunderstorm Tuesday night. I got home--put my bike in the shed and shut everything down. I rode it several times today and all appeared fine till I jumped on it tonight to return home from our county fair in the dark and found out I had no headlights--upper or lower beams--and I didn't have any instrument lights either. Everything else appears ok-I have my 4 ways and all tail lights and running lights and turn signals. Is there a fuse that could have gotten wet or something simple that may be causing the problems? Thanks for any and all help.

[Marcarl]

Check the fuses first. Open the gas cover, undo the screw that holds the false cover in place, remove the cover then on top of the battery is your fuse box. Check not only if the fuses are good but also that they are making contact with the holder. Some of the holders are getting weak and so the fuse may look like it's doing it's job but actually is loose. To fix this problem right you need to replace the fuse box or at least the contacts which you may get at CTC or an automotive parts supply.

[bongobobny]

^^^^^

 

 

What he said...

[Guest Popeye]

I had a similar problem on my '86 VR. It turned-out to be wiring.

I checked all the fuses [i found both types of fuses], all were good, & when I was removing wires from the battery [with negative terminal disconnected for safety of electrical system] & sanding them shiny, I noticed one of the wires was hanging in the air.

 

It took about 3 mins to locate the wire that left the connector.

Then, an easy fix.

The battery wires really needed that cleaning anyway.

I replaced a few wires that looked old & maybe cracked.

 

Had I not found the broken wire, I'd have used a 12v circuit tester [with alligator ground clip, & bulb in clear handle of tester probe]. Cost ~ $5.

 

I'm not good with electrical, but with a circuit tester, even I can find most problems.

With ignition ON & all switches ON...the tester bulb tells much.

 

As you can see in my pics, I have many auxillary lights for night/rain riding.

[Guest hotrod355]

try the start button. My 89 did that and it was the start button, the button kills the light when you push the button so all the voltage goes to the starter.