headlight cant get it to work??
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vmax540liq
- Posts: 25
- Joined: Fri Feb 29, 2008 12:09 pm
- Location: Big Rapids Michigan
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headlight cant get it to work??
hi i have a 83 vmax 540 and since the day i got it this winter my headlight does not want to work i tried hi and lo beam and still nothing the bulb is new so thats good and i looked at part of the wiring harness that seemed good also so im stuck and cant figure it out? anyone else had this problem? and what could be the cause?? let me know what you guys think, help is always appreciated thanks Travis
Do your speedometer and taillight work if, not you need to check the resistance of your lighting coil. There is a switch on the pop up headlight bracket. Check your ground at the voltage regulator.
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"I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery." Thomas Jefferson
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vmax540liq
- Posts: 25
- Joined: Fri Feb 29, 2008 12:09 pm
- Location: Big Rapids Michigan
- Contact:
hi yes my temp, spedo/rmp tach work and brake light but i did notice that the last time i rode at nite that the taillight and the spedo/rpm and temp gauge were cutting out but its done it more than once and then after anywhere from 5 to 10mins its fine, so what do you think it is please all advice would be great!! thanks travis
The power goes from the lighting coil to the handlebars and the regulator on the back of the left kick panel just behind the secondary clutch.
If any lights work, this part the wiring is good.
If the all the lights are malfunctioning, this part is suspect.
If I recall correctly, the pop up switch opens the ground on the bulb.
From the center of handlebars, the power to the headlight goes through the dimmer switch, the headlight bulb, and the pop up headlight switch to ground.
You can use a 12 volt light bulb to check each point in the circuit for power.
One terminal of the test light goes to ground.
The engine must be running during these tests.
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I would start looking at the headlight itself with a test light since it is the easiest to access.
Note: the power is 12 volts AC and will not register on a DC voltmeter.
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If the ground terminal (base) on the bulb has power on it, check the terminals on the pop up switch.
If one terminal has power on it, the switch is bad.
If both terminals have power on them, the ground is bad.
If neither terminal has power on it, the wire from the headlight to the pop up switch is bad.
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Check the terminals on the back of the bulb.
One of them should have power on it.
If neither of them have power on it check the terminals of the dimmer switch.
If only one terminal has power on it, the switch is bad.
If two terminals have power on them, the switch is working and the wire from the switch to the headlight is bad.
If no terminals have power on them, the wiring from the lighting coil is bad.
If any lights work, this part the wiring is good.
If the all the lights are malfunctioning, this part is suspect.
If I recall correctly, the pop up switch opens the ground on the bulb.
From the center of handlebars, the power to the headlight goes through the dimmer switch, the headlight bulb, and the pop up headlight switch to ground.
You can use a 12 volt light bulb to check each point in the circuit for power.
One terminal of the test light goes to ground.
The engine must be running during these tests.
===============================================
I would start looking at the headlight itself with a test light since it is the easiest to access.
Note: the power is 12 volts AC and will not register on a DC voltmeter.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If the ground terminal (base) on the bulb has power on it, check the terminals on the pop up switch.
If one terminal has power on it, the switch is bad.
If both terminals have power on them, the ground is bad.
If neither terminal has power on it, the wire from the headlight to the pop up switch is bad.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check the terminals on the back of the bulb.
One of them should have power on it.
If neither of them have power on it check the terminals of the dimmer switch.
If only one terminal has power on it, the switch is bad.
If two terminals have power on them, the switch is working and the wire from the switch to the headlight is bad.
If no terminals have power on them, the wiring from the lighting coil is bad.