No power to headlight - Not even to the fuse

[Nico]

So last weekend I was out on the bike, and when I was sitting at a red light, I realized my headlight was out. While the first thought is a burned out bulb, I also have a garage door opener that attaches to the headlight switch. This switch did not work when I got home and tried to open the door.

I checked the bright/dim switch, cleaned the contacts - still nothing. I traced back to the starter switch, and cleaned the contacts there too. The starter switch works just fine. Bike starts right up.

I checked the headlight fuse, and it is not blown, but while I was checking the fuse, I decided to check the power going INTO the fuse. There is NO voltage going into the fuse at all.

Now I'm stumped. Where should I look next? There is power going to the other fuses, but not that one (or the fan switch fuse as well). Where should I look for the loss of power to the headlight???

HELP!!!

Nico

[Hook#3287]

What model??  C,CT or CF?

I'm guessing C or CT.

Are your tail and meter lights working?   Check your ignition switch, the headlight, acc and tail/meter fuses (3) run through it using the Red/White wire.

[Nico]

I opened up the ignition switch and cleaned all the contracts in there as well. Key turns on just fine. The auxiliary fuse has power to it.

No power to the headlight or the fan.

That seems like the only two.

[Hook#3287]

So it's a Standard or Tourer?

The wiring diagram shows the three fuses (headlight, tail/meter, acc) get power from the ignition off the same Red/White wire.

The Interstate is completely different.

If your getting power to the tail/meter and acc, but not the headlight, at the fuse box, the problem must be in the fuse box somehow.

[Hook#3287]

The fan is on it's own wire from the ignition.

[Beardo]

Where did you splice into the headlight switch for your garage door opener? I'd check there.

[Hook#3287]

Where did you splice into the headlight switch for your garage door opener? I'd check there.

That would be after the fuse box, he states no power to the headlight fuse.

[da prez]

  Nico , you may have to take apart a push together connection. look at all connections and see if there is any green dust. Check each connection. I do not have the wiring chart in front of me , but I would pull the fuse and use a jumper wire to power up the headlight circuit. If it goes on , it is before the fuse. I know you said no power to it , but I always recheck. Also  , silicone dia- electric in all the connections.
  I am not that far from you  if you want help.

                                                  da prez

[Nico]

Hey prez!

Will be checking all the connections again tonight when I get home. I used my VOM to check the fuse plug in's, which is how I found no power to the headlight fuse plug at all.

Also, no power to the fan switch fuse either. All other fuse plug ins seem to be fine, I am getting 12+voltage at all others.

Disassembled and cleaned the bright/dim switch, traced back to the starter and kill switch, disassembled and cleaned the contacts in both. Followed the wiring schematic and found that the power to the headlight is fed through the ignition switch (key switch). Opened that up and cleaned all the contact in there as well. Nothing yet. Ignition seems to be working fine. Bike starts just fine.

Thoughts?


P.S. I DID see your PM about the beaded seat cover, and still have it. It's yours when you want it.

[gordonv]

Opened that up and cleaned all the contact in there as well. Nothing yet. Ignition seems to be working fine. Bike starts just fine.

Thoughts?

Still thinking the starter switch. What EXACTLY did you do to clean the switch?

Here is the How-To in shop talk.

http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/VSGPages/starterbutton.htm

[indybobm]

I am thinking something wrong with the ignition switch (I know you cleaned it). Disconect the connector  from the ignition switch.
With the key turned on, check for continuity at the following wires from the ignition switch:

Red wire to Blue/Orange wire   Power to Fan

Red wire to Red/White wire.    Power to Headlight, Taillight, and Accy

If this checks out then it could be the fuse panel itself.

[Dale_K]

Too bad the pictures are gone from that link.  If anybody has a pic of the starter switch internals I'd appreciate it.  Sometimes my headlight doesn't come on right away after starting the bike so I'm sure the switch needs repair.

[Paladin528]

check the main 50 amp current limiter next to the fuse box.  if not the problem then look at the Start Relay under the right side cover. 

[Paladin528]

Power for the fan comes from the red wire from the start relay after the 30 amp fuse.  Check that connector on the starter relay.  Mine MELTED last year and I had to replace the whole thing.
That red wire run feeds power to the ignition switch. with the ignition switch on the power feeds the fan directly through the 15 amp fuse.  headlight wiring differs between models but on the IS the power goes through a relay.
The Start switch will remove power from the headlights when pushed but not the fan.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Too bad the pictures are gone from that link.  If anybody has a pic of the starter switch internals I'd appreciate it.  Sometimes my headlight doesn't come on right away after starting the bike so I'm sure the switch needs repair.

Be careful when you take it apart. The springs are small and can get lost easily.

[Dale_K]

Hey, thanks.

[Valkpilot]

Be careful when you take it apart. The springs are small and can get lost easily.

Dis-assemble inside a Ziploc bag as extra insurance against spring flight.

Tip I picked up from the Goldwing forums.  GWs have lots of switches that periodically need attention.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Be careful when you take it apart. The springs are small and can get lost easily.

Dis-assemble inside a Ziploc bag as extra insurance against spring flight.

Tip I picked up from the Goldwing forums.  GWs have lots of switches that periodically need attention.

Excellent idea !