Headlight on ‘98 GL1500 won’t come on.

[Motorhommie]

New headlight bulb, fuse good, blue high beam indicator light is off, if it is out will that break the circuit? I have read of relays but can not find it within any schematics or actual inspection.

[RonW]

the high beam idiot light won't go on if the headlight isn't working at all.

The headlight wire runs through the start button.

[Jess from VA]

And there are two relays in the interstate lights, but none (I believe) in std/tourer lights.

[Jims99]

Try and wiggle the starter button and the high/low beam switch. If contacts get dirty you can usually get it to come back on. I would clean all switches on the handle bars (carefully). I did my interstate, now the tourer is acting up. It’s next. It’s usually something simple.

[RonW]

*whoops, I forgot all about the hi-beam switch itself. I never took it apart.

..... high beam indicator light is off,

• if it is out will that break the circuit?

The idiot light and the hi-light are on parallel circuits and independent of each other. Graphic enlarges.

[Factor]

No relay in Standards/Tourers - but many have fitted a relay to get the big juice out of the starter switch. Highly recommended if you haven't already.

So Motorhomme, do you have an Interstate? If so, find the relays and check them out. If not, see if a relay has been implemented (usually within headlight bucket) and check it out. Chances are, you're going to need a multimeter and a shop manual (wiring diagram) to track things down.