Low / High Beam - The last of my problems to clear up

Randum77 · #1 4th April 2006

Ok, Like i've said in other posts, my bike was all electrically messed up when i bought it. The onlything that worked was the High beam, and the bike would turn on. I've since fixed everything except for an important part, the low beam. Here is what I have.

The headlamp is an H4 sealed bulb. It has 3 connectors on the back of it. I am assuming that they are for 1. High Positive, 2. Low Positive, 3. ground for both. Bassically just like the rear brake lamp works. Now, i have my 2 wires coming from the handle bars that is switched power. I've tested both of the wires and they have a current. I have the ground runing to a universal ground in the main harness. The high beam works great when the switch is on HI. It's attached to the center upper pole on the light bulb. The negative is on the right pole, and if i connect the wire that is hot when i switch to low to the pole to the left, nothing works. Light just cuts out.

What I am guessing. The filiment is gone. I can't see in the face of the bulb well enough to see so I want to get input on this. If i can get this working i will have won the challange of fixing all that's $@#*!$@#*!$@#*!$@#*!ed w/ this bike and be able to ride w/o worries. Let me know any input you have.

Thanks.

marshall

a45junkie · #2 4th April 2006

are you sure about the pinout on the bulb? you can test it with a battery charger

Randum77 · #3 4th April 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by a45junkie

are you sure about the pinout on the bulb? you can test it with a battery charger

I'm not quiet sure I understand at all. How would I test it w/ a charger?

Gone · #4 4th April 2006

looking at the pins bulb in hand, top pin high beam, right pin is low beam, left pin ground.

to test with batt charger, connect black to left pin, touch the other pins with red lead. if you get light on both pins the bulb is good, if not double check again. then test continuity of the low beam wire with a multimeter between the switch and the head light bucket.

hope this helps.

Moved On · #5 4th April 2006

I'd bet you have a blown filament. It doesn't really matter if you have the three wires all reversed around you should always get some light with all combinations of mixing things up. I'm not saying that in the end it can be mixed up... you have to eventually figure what the right wiring is... just that for light purposes if you have a ground on one pin and power on another... you should get some light out of the bulb.

Gazza

xl1200r · #6 4th April 2006

Yeah...try replacing the bulb. Should always be the first thing on the list. Everything else sounds to be in order.

Randum77 · #7 5th April 2006

Ok, thanks for the heads up guys. I'll give it a run tomorrow after class. I got class in like 20 min.

Randum77 · #8 10th April 2006

Ok, it was before that both beams didn't work on the headlamp. Now, if i tug a bit on the main wire, the lamp goes completely out. That a pain in the back end. It's not out all the time, just partial times. Like heavy turning or if i hit a bump it blinks. If i get off, tug on it, it goes out too. I haven't pulled it apart yet to see what's causing the problem, but I'll get to it tomorrow after class. I am guessing it's either a bad connection or just a jacked bulb.

I'll be testing the bulb via the method suggested before and we shall see, i don't want to have to buy anything else. Gar!

Thanks for the help so far.

Moved On · #9 10th April 2006

If tugging on the wire or hitting a bump makes it come and go you might have one of the dreaded melted connector housing problems. If you get in there and that's happening that would be a cool oh that's all type of problem.

Take a look at JicJac's thread...
http://www.xlforum.net/vbportal/foru...hlight=melting

Gazza

Randum77 · #10 10th April 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary

If tugging on the wire or hitting a bump makes it come and go you might have one of the dreaded melted connector housing problems. If you get in there and that's happening that would be a cool oh that's all type of problem.

Take a look at JicJac's thread...
http://www.xlforum.net/vbportal/foru...hlight=melting

Gazza

Gary, thank you for the link. I'll be looking close at it and seeing if it's the same thing. I know my connector looks totally different but might create the same problem. I'll post here when I figure it out and have it fixed for a good search reference. I just hope it's something easy.