I/S headlight trouble,I'm baffled ?

[Valkhound]

 I've got a 2001 I/S that has a headlight problem that came on suddenly that I can't seem to figure out. Without warning I lost both high and low beams along with the high beam indicator light. Everything had been working fine until this with both high and low beams functioning normally. All other functions of the bike (turn signals,horn,audio system,speedo,fuel gauge) are working properly which I would think rules out a ground problem .

The first thing I did was check the bulbs,then the fuses and all is good there. So next I thought it had to be either the headlight switch or the headlight relays. I had an extra switch and a set of relays so I first tried the new switch and no change. I then changed out both the high beam relay and the low beam relay and still no worky. I have checked the fuses with a test light and they have power going through them but no juice at the headlight plugs . I even swapped out the headlight sub harness in the fairing to see if there was a problem there but same results. I've pretty much tried everything I can think of and have run out of things to try.

Am I overlooking something simple here or has anyone else experienced this kind of problem? It seems to me like I have read something on here in the past about a connector in the harness in front of the battery box that others have had  corrosion trouble with that caused some kind of intermittent problem but couldn't find any info on it when I did a search. Any idea's would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Dana

[Grumpy]

Check the starter switch, there are a set of contacts in there that turn off the headlights when the start button is pressed, and turn them back on when the button is released. It is a can of worms, but needs to be taken apart and cleaned. Here is a link to the shop talk article on cleaning and repairing.

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

[Valkhound]

Thanks Grumpy, I'll check that out. Been studying the wiring schematics more since I posted and was leaning towards starter switch next.I'll give that a try tomorrow evening and see if that might be it.

[sugerbear]

try a can of electrical contact cleaner. put the red tube on. leave the key off. spray into the small opening beside the switch. work the switch several times while spraying.
let it dry for a few minutes. if it fixes it. then take the switch apart and clean.

i give all my switches a shot each spring or after riding through a hard rain.

ymmv

[Highbinder]

Dana...Tracy had the same problem on our trip to Texas this year, it ended up being in the starter switch, we cleaned it up and the problem went away....if I remember correctly the other connection you were looking for is under the left side cover...I had the same problem years ago on my 2000 I/S and it was in that connection due to corrosion...might want to check that out too if its not in the starter switch.

[valkyriemc]

Dana...Tracy had the same problem on our trip to Texas this year, it ended up being in the starter switch, we cleaned it up and the problem went away....if I remember correctly the other connection you were looking for is under the left side cover...I had the same problem years ago on my 2000 I/S and it was in that connection due to corrosion...might want to check that out too if its not in the starter switch.

I had no problems with lights or starting but while poking around re preventative maintenance I found some corosion on that very item (garage kept bike). So I was able to put the quietus on it before it became a problem...Might want to check out this link.

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,35460.0.html

[Grumpy]

Having any luck with the problem ?