Headlights won't work

[corvair]

Hi, I'm new to the forum. I have a 2007 fjr with Headlights not working. I can clean and lube the ignition switch and they will work for a month or so. When they go out again I repeat the clean and lube and they work again for a month or so. Can a bad ignition switch cause the headlights not to work or is there a more probable cause? The last time I cleaned and lubed they wouldn't come on. When the headlights are working they work until I turn off the ignition switch and then won't work on the next start up. I have changed the headlight relay to no avail. When the headlights are working both high and low beams work. When not working neither high or low beams work. The running lights, turn signals, and brake lights all work as usual. Thanks for any input!

 

[RossKean]

There was a recall on the ignition switch for the 2007. Has that been done?

 

[corvair]

Yes

 

[rbentnail]

I had some goofy electricals going on in the months before my S4 ground spider failure. Have you checked yours lately? https://www.fjrforum.com/threads/my-spider-bite-story.170085/

 

[Whooshka]

When you say clean and lube, what lube are you referring to? Dielectric grease inhibits current flow. You should only use it outside of a connection to insulate it from moisture.

"Should you use dielectric grease on electrical connections?
Ensure that the grease does not touch the path of electrical currents or where parts are connecting. This is because the grease is an insulator, and it disrupts the flow of currents. Therefore, it is recommended to use dielectric grease on surfaces of electrical parts where the currents are not passing."

 

[rbentnail]

I use a quality electrically conductive corrosion inhibitor. Google what's available near you. I agree somewhat with your statement regarding dielectric grease but let's not overthink it- many of us have been using it for decades exactly as you say not to with no detrimental effects whatsoever.

 

[Mic]

Hi, I'm new to the forum. I have a 2007 fjr with Headlights not working. I can clean and lube the ignition switch and they will work for a month or so. When they go out again I repeat the clean and lube and they work again for a month or so. Can a bad ignition switch cause the headlights not to work or is there a more probable cause? The last time I cleaned and lubed they wouldn't come on. When the headlights are working they work until I turn off the ignition switch and then won't work on the next start up. I have changed the headlight relay to no avail. When the headlights are working both high and low beams work. When not working neither high or low beams work. The running lights, turn signals, and brake lights all work as usual. Thanks for any input!

What kind of shape is the starter button in? Not sure you said how many miles on the bike.
I had a bike where the starter button was stuck 3/4 of the way in but still functional, but the headlight didn't work and someone couldn't figure it out, so they tapped into the tail light wiring to power the headlight. The extra draw took out the ignition switch (probably not the same scenario you have) and when I found the stuck starter button it all made sense. Long story short, make sure the starter button has it's normal full range, because the starter button turns off the headlight when it spins the starter.
Hope you sort it out soon.

 

[corvair]

Starter button good. I used CRC electrical cleaner and then Seafoam penetrating lubricant. The main wiring harness has been changed due to spider failure. I bought the bike new and now has 41,000 miles. Thank you to everyone who has replied.

 

[corvair]

The ignition switch has been replaced per the recall soon after purchase, along with the high altitude mapping recall

 

[way8lifter]

Okay I don't have a wiring diagram in front of me I'm on my phone I know you can find one pretty easy on here I suggest this start at the fuse box and work your way outwards by that I mean started the very fuse and relay are there power there where does that line lead to it leads to a switch source that has something to do with not only our starter button because that engages the headlights but which runs through I think the ECU again I'm on my phone I'm from there the line probably goes to a relay and from there it might go over to the headlight switch for the up down high beam low beam and from there into the headlights so find where there is power find where there isn't power and your problem someplace in between does that make sense? And I will say the very first thing I check when I have a problem with a device is where are the grounds and is it grounded and if you have something like a power probe why not directly power those headlights make sure something freaky didn't happen where you lost both headlights... By the way yes that can happen if your alternator was pumping out too much juice it can blow the headlights out ask me how I know?,, Anyway that's my simple from the phone diagnosis shooting from the hip

 

[SwollenRaccoon]

That's the longest sentence I've ever tried to read.

 

[vzhq16]

That's the longest sentence I've ever tried to read.

Hey! He said he was on his phone. Hehehe...

 

[SwollenRaccoon]

"Hey! He said he was on his phone."

So, was he using talk-to-text, then? If so, he has the largest lung capacity of any human. I have an old piece of crap cell phone, and even that has punctuation capabilities. Maybe he should have waited until he was not in rush hour traffic to read and respond to the entries on the FJR Forum.
Oh wait maybe he was in a big hurry and had to poop and he was in his car 20 miles from the next exit but his car was leaking oil (place oil choice here) and one tire was running low on pressure what psi do you run anyway he needed to get his entry sent because hey you stupid jack hole you cut me off so now i can exit thanks for listening