3,000 mile trip planned headlights malfunctioning (2005 FJR)

[fjrsochs]

Leaving tomorrow(or the day after that

) Need help. I combed the forum a bit but didnt find anything,yet. Exhausted after changing tires/oil,installing laminar lip,GPS(still not receiving power from the bike/pigtail),grip,bluetooth headset upgrade/reinstall,firmware upgrade on everything...and then this *&%*% headlights..

Quick history:

1. 4 years ago-both headlights worked perfectly in low and high beams settings
2. 2.5 years ago - right light stopped working while touring, replaced it, both working perfectly (couldn't replace both because of out of stock)
3. 1 years ago-right light completely stopped working(see avatar) on lo beam but both lights worked on high beam
4. yesterday - both lights completely off on low beam, both work on high beam
5. purchased 2 H4(from locale Yamaha dealers for 7.95ea)and Changed left bulb today...only left works on low beam(very dimly) and only right works on high beam
6. switched the new bulb out for the other new bulb---no difference.
7. tonight I started the bike, bike was warm, switched the lamps to high beam and the bike switched off instantly. but re-started instantly

WTF ?!?!?!?!?!?!

Long trip planned and didn't want to risk running on high beams only. Trip plan IN->Tn->Givi(N.C.)->Myrtle Beach->Deal's Gap->IA->NE->CO->KS->MS->IL-IN.

offering a few thousand miles of pre-thanks

 

[fjrsochs]

BTW, the fuses in both new bulbs are all connected, no shorts. The left side bulb I replaced did have a disconnected coil.

Oh yeah, my lefts are ...from a rider's cockpit view. Pretty sure I fingered one of the new bulbs...guess I'll have to put the other new one in on the road if the oil on it burns out the lamp.

 

[dudeckp]

Blabber from an insomniac...

I would check voltage, too low could be trying to draw too much current to compensate, stressing connections & fuses. If generally low <12.8, trace connectors looking for dark (yellow/brown) spots.

If Vdc looks good, suspect relay(s), which could also explain the seemingly random behavior.

Last, start, the stop engine (headlight circuit stays on) and listen for relay click (normal) or crackling sounds (bad switch or relay)

Or maybe I just need more sleep. Good luck!

 

[fjrsochs]

Will do. Thanks. Hey...nice bike!

 

[Fred W]

Are you sure that you oriented the headlight bulb connectors correctly? I know it is tricky fumbling around by feel under the dash while changing them out. And it has certainly been done before.

The female plugs will fit on the male prongs of the bulb in several different orientations, but obviously will not work correctly unless all three are in the right place.

FWIW - the same relay switches the power for high and low beam for both bulbs, so it really shouldn't be a problem with the relays up stream.

 

[supertankerm60a3]

Check your connections for burns and your grounds. Sounds to me like one of those two sourses will be the cause. just besause it is the best generation, doesn't mean it can't have a ground problem.

 

[shakin]

A corroded or bad ground? Check the voltage of the circuit.

Maybe even a ground spider issue?

shakin

 

[fjrsochs]

Duh! You were right. I removed the plug and it was attached improperly. Reattached and now left is working on low, both are working on high beam. I'll change out the right bulb once I land (we are pilots no?) at my first destination.

Feeling foolish.

 

[Ignacio]

Duh! You were right. I removed the plug and it was attached improperly. Reattached and now left is working on low, both are working on high beam. I'll change out the right bulb once I land (we are pilots no?) at my first destination.
Feeling foolish.

Don't. That's one of the points of working through the issue with forum dwellers. They can point out obvious things, but if it fixes things....perfect! Fred W racks up another.

Thank YOU for following up with the conclusion!

 

[fjrsochs]

Gracias Ignascio!