Fried my headlights

[jarale]

Well, I did something stupid and fried my headlights when jumping off the battery. First of all, this is the 1st time in many years that I actually let the battery go low from non use. I live in Texas and ride as much as I can. Nuff said about that.  When I replaced the original bulbs with brighter bulbs, both my headlights will come on when the the dimmer switch is on, and neither will come on when the brights are supposed to be on. Did I possibly fry a relay switch? Do I need to replace with OEM? I have attempted to replace with PIAA H4. After buying them, I realize that the tabs don't line up with the original bulbs in the headlamps.  They do plug into the original harness.   Right now, they are just hanging from their harness, but I cant see a grounding issue being a problem.  Any suggestions would help.  Thanks.

[Bighead]

Everything else electrical still work? If so I would replace the bulbs and see if it just the bulbs are bad. At least start there.

[John Schmidt]

When you say "jumping off the battery" are you talking about a jumpstart from a car or truck? If so, was it running....and if so, that may well be the source of your trouble. You can jumpstart the bike from a car, just never have the car running. Sounds like you have fried a couple things in the harness, I assume you have an Interstate.

[Medina]

yeah, some modern cars throw more voltage than these bikes need to start.
I forget which but some newer designs will toss 16-18 volts if they are rev'ed to 1600 rpm, AND the sensors think the cars battery is dead- your extra drain while jumping makes the computer think pour it on...hopefully a fuse/relay only

and its a great time to check all your grounds! dont look, unbolt, unscrew, clean, grease, reassemble. even adding a battery to frame ground with 10 gauge wire is a good idea.

[Earl43P]

This is the third time I've read this post and I have the following to offer:

http://www.rattlebars.com/valkfaq/schematics/rpage04i.html

Does the High Beam indicator come on?

If not, I suggest take off the seat and find the two headlamp relays.
Swap them and see if the Low beam does not work now. Replace the bad relay, if so.

If that doesn't work (assuming that you have taken power readings at the lamp sockets for the blue/black wire and found no power there) then it has to be your Dimmer Switch. A good cleaning of its contacts might help.

[jarale]

Thanks for the input.  I was using a battery charger with a jump starter mode.  Guess that was a mistake.  Earl43p, I do not have my high beam indicator working, so that would be a good place to start.  Will let you know.  Thanks for the schematic.