Headlight help

[Dragonslayer]

Being in the eighties today I was going to ride the Millenium to work. I leave the house shortly after 6:00 am while it is still dark and I notice that my headlights and dash lights do not come on. About a block away from the house the lights blink on for just a second then go right back out.

 

Can anyone give me a hint where to look first before I start tearing into the bike.

[MikeWa]

Sounds like a bad ground or loose connection. Wiggle test time.

 

Mike

[etcswjoe]

Anything else go out or just the lights?

[Dragonslayer]

Anything else go out or just the lights?

Headlight, running lights and dash board lights. Blinkers work.

[aharbi]

and the tail light?

[etcswjoe]

Have you already checked your fuse?

[Guest tx2sturgis]

Ignition switch maybe?

[djh3]

Fuse would probably be the easiest thing to start with. Then I think I would go to a ground. Just an FYI when you go to check the fuse use an OHM meter. Recently someone on here had a light problem and checked the fuse by sight it looked good. Upon further inspection with a meter it failed. Also over on the Delphi boards there were 2 similar events.

[Dragonslayer]

Fuse would probably be the easiest thing to start with. Then I think I would go to a ground. Just an FYI when you go to check the fuse use an OHM meter. Recently someone on here had a light problem and checked the fuse by sight it looked good. Upon further inspection with a meter it failed. Also over on the Delphi boards there were 2 similar events.

I understand the reason I don't believe it is fuse related is because the lights blinked on and off. By the way do you know the exact location of the headlight fuse. The 1st gens had all the fuses in one area the second gens seem to have scatter small fuse blocks all over the bike, Why I do not know.

[Dragonslayer]

Ignition switch maybe?

That's a thought maybe some contact cleaner down the key hole will help. I tried earlier to remove and service the ignition switch and could not get it off. Luckily, the problem I was having back then turned out to be something else.

[Dragonslayer]

and the tail light?

Not sure, I was unable to apply the break and run around to see if the light came on. That evidently is a two person job.

[etcswjoe]

I understand the reason I don't believe it is fuse related is because the lights blinked on and off. By the way do you know the exact location of the headlight fuse. The 1st gens had all the fuses in one area the second gens seem to have scatter small fuse blocks all over the bike, Why I do not know.

 

Had an issue this winter where there was corrosion around the fuse and they would go in and out was why I had asked about the fuse. If it was the ignition switch other things should blink also and the engine might cut out too.

[Bert2006]

Not sure, I was unable to apply the break and run around to see if the light came on. That evidently is a two person job.

 

:rotf::rotfl::rotf:

[djh3]

Not sure, I was unable to apply the break and run around to see if the light came on. That evidently is a two person job.

Long stick (broom handle)

[bongobobny]

I put my Craftsman 19v electric drill on the brake pedal to check the rear. For the front I use a thick rubber band, a piece of wire, or whatever I can find.

 

Actually all you need is a mirror or back near a window and do it in the evening...

[Dragonslayer]

Had an issue this winter where there was corrosion around the fuse and they would go in and out was why I had asked about the fuse. If it was the ignition switch other things should blink also and the engine might cut out too.

Where is that fuse?

[StarFan]

Where is that fuse?

 

The headlight fuse is on the left hand side of the bike (sitting on it) under the painted side cover in front of the saddlebag. One allen key bolt to undo and you pop the cover off. In there is a closed black fuse box. There is a slider you need to slide to the right to open up the fuse box. The headlight fuse should be the one in the middle - 15 amp.

[Dragonslayer]

The headlight fuse is on the left hand side of the bike (sitting on it) under the painted side cover in front of the saddlebag. One allen key bolt to undo and you pop the cover off. In there is a closed black fuse box. There is a slider you need to slide to the right to open up the fuse box. The headlight fuse should be the one in the middle - 15 amp.

Interesting so the headlight fuse is in the same area as the main fuse. That is where the trouble was before when nothing worked and the bike would not crank.

[djh3]

Well sort of. The Main fuse is actually maybe 6-7" below and aft of the fuse box. The main fuse is behind the passenger left side foot board. It gets a lot of road spray and junk being it is not protected in anyway. When I took mine apart the plastic block broke in two. So now it is held together by a couple tye wraps.

[Dragonslayer]

Well sort of. The Main fuse is actually maybe 6-7" below and aft of the fuse box. The main fuse is behind the passenger left side foot board. It gets a lot of road spray and junk being it is not protected in anyway. When I took mine apart the plastic block broke in two. So now it is held together by a couple tye wraps.

Thanks, that help a lot.

[djh3]

No problem. It really is a crappy place to put it. Not only is it hard to get to but the road dirt, corrosion etc seem to take its toll on it. Also mine the plastic connector piece with the 4 or 5 wires was brittle. I think Joe @ cycle terminal has the connector block should yours self destruct. But I didnt know that when I took mine apart. Hmm Now I know what I can do with the old motorcycle tube from my other bike. Make a semi-water resistant sleeve.

[Dragonslayer]

No problem. It really is a crappy place to put it. Not only is it hard to get to but the road dirt, corrosion etc seem to take its toll on it. Also mine the plastic connector piece with the 4 or 5 wires was brittle. I think Joe @ cycle terminal has the connector block should yours self destruct. But I didnt know that when I took mine apart. Hmm Now I know what I can do with the old motorcycle tube from my other bike. Make a semi-water resistant sleeve.

Maybe a good mod would be like the TCI relocation mod on the 1st gens. Move the whole block to an area that is easier to access and more protected.

[billmac]

I understand the reason I don't believe it is fuse related is because the lights blinked on and off. By the way do you know the exact location of the headlight fuse. The 1st gens had all the fuses in one area the second gens seem to have scatter small fuse blocks all over the bike, Why I do not know.

 

Seen sometimes a fuse will blow but when it cools down the metal strip will touch each other and work until it heats up again. If that's all that's going out I'd just put a new fuse in and see if that works.

[djh3]

Thats kind of what I just experienced with my horn. It would push enough volts you would get a reading but the horn wouldnt work. But a relocation would be good, but I dont know where you would move it without a lot of wiring change. Sure is not any room under the seat.

[Dragonslayer]

Yep, the fuse is the problem. The fuse was not only popped it was disintegrated in The fuse holder. There is some corrosion at the contact hot lead to fuse block so I think I will invent a new mod to replace the fuse block with something more moisture tight. It's gonna be a pretty day today and all weekend so I might as well take the day off to do this so that I can get ride time this weekend.