No Head light or indicators= Head Scratcher

[luvmy40]

'83 Standard 1200

 

My head light and turn signals quit working while parked for a couple days.

 

The marker lights work. The hazards flash. The head light does not come on in high or low beam. The head light warning light is not on.

 

I tried two spare bulbs just to be sure.

 

Here's the head scratching thing. I measure 12 VDC at the head light connector both in high and low beam positions measured through the connector, not to frame ground.

 

Would the reserve lighting unit possibly be the culprit?

[Marcarl]

Do you have an updated fuse box?

[luvmy40]

Yes. and all the fuses are GTG.

[cowpuc]

You checking it with a digital volt/ohm meter or analog 40? My guess is digital as they are the easiest to fool (no pun intended Flyinfool) with a residual reading. I'd check main fuse on the output side for the headlight first just to make sure Murph didnt figure out a way to pop in a funky fuse on ya. Perhaps the ground you are reading thru the connector is not valid enough to carry the load of the lights. I would just take a test wire and frame ground it and then touch the ground terminal side of the connector and see if the light comes on.. If you do this and the lights still dont come on, take a peek at the white RLU light on your dash and see if it changes (comes on when you test the ground). Another possibility would be a bad relay whose contacts are burned to the point that they are only able to carry residual 12vdc. You could test 12vdc at the relay input with a light and what cha get, maybe jumper the relay and see if that does it.

Last but definitely not least,, I'd jumper the RLU out and see what happens.. I'd do this last though cause I am one lazy lop eared varmint and that RLU is hardest to get at of all the above plus it just makes no sense to me that the RLU would be sourcing the blinkers as it would be to easy for a failed blinker to confuse the RLU any more than it is already confused LOL..

Any of that make sense? Probably not but it was fun to write something and may give you a smile while your waiting for the Electro guru's to chime in

All the best in getting her shining brightly again!

Puc

Edited May 26, 2019 by cowpuc

[luvmy40]

It looks like the starter switch is the culprit.

 

I followed the Yamaha factory manual's trouble shooting flow chart and after realizing the reserve lighting unit is easier to get to than the starter switch, found there is no 12V at the RLU. According to the flow chart this points to a) a bad head light fuse(checked OK), b) a bad starter switch(haven't pulled it yet) or c) the wiring of the above components.

 

Unfortunately, I'm forced to work on this outside as my shop is overflowing with other projects right now and the weather is not cooperating.

 

I have never had to pull the starter switch before. Is there an "easy" way?

[luvmy40]

It appears I misunderstood the manual. By "Starter Switch" it means the push to start button, not the main ignition lock switch. That'll be much easier to check when the rain stops.

[sldunker]

When I had my 84 Royale the headlight would not work sometimes. I would grap the strater switch and pull it out further and everything would work. The following winter I took the switch apart, cleaned and lubed it. No more problems.

[luvmy40]

I could have saved myself a couple hours work if I'd looked at the manual closer at first!

 

It was indeed the start switch. I pulled it apart, cleaned it up and she's shining and flashing all proper now.

 

On a side note, I didn't lose any screws or have any left over after reassembling the fairing. That is a rare occurrence for me.

[Marcarl]

On a side note, I didn't lose any screws or have any left over after reassembling the fairing. That is a rare occurrence for me.

Sounds like you have had this thing apart before, and that all the extras are now already displaced and there is no need to discover anymore parts that take up useful riding time looking for them.

[videoarizona]

When I had my 84 Royale the headlight would not work sometimes. I would grap the strater switch and pull it out further and everything would work. The following winter I took the switch apart, cleaned and lubed it. No more problems.

 

:sign yeah that:

 

Me too! Just a slight tug on the switch and the headlight came on.

 

I used a shot of electrical contact cleaner on the switch. Working for a year now!