Brite headlite wont come on!

roadhawg · 11-03-2014, 05:30 PM

OK so it was blowing fuses , I put in a new H4 silverstar bulb as recommended.
Now when I hit the dimmer switch to the brite lites, they go out, go back to dim and lite comes back on.
Its gotta be the switch, yes???

**Teachme** · 11-03-2014, 05:45 PM

I would think so.

Bud2rat · 11-03-2014, 07:17 PM

roadhawg, be very careful taking the switch apart. There are several small brass plates and springs inside the switch. I had a similar problem and took the switch apart. While separating the switch, the springs decided to fly the coup. Lucky me, I had an old switch from a VN800 that I robbed the springs from to repair my switch.

TX1700 · 11-03-2014, 07:48 PM

roadhawg, I would ohm out the new bulb to see if the high beam was open. It would not be the first time one came broken.

**cnc** · 11-03-2014, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TX1700

roadhawg, I would ohm out the new bulb to see if the high beam was open. It would not be the first time one came broken.

I agree on that. Best to check before making assumptions about the switch.

roadhawg · 11-04-2014, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bud2rat

roadhawg, be very careful taking the switch apart. There are several small brass plates and springs inside the switch. I had a similar problem and took the switch apart. While separating the switch, the springs decided to fly the coup. Lucky me, I had an old switch from a VN800 that I robbed the springs from to repair my switch.

Yes, thats what I am afraid of, dropping small springs and stuff!
But I will take the advice of those that say I should test bulb first.
If the bulb checks out good, I think before I take switch apart, I will try to find a new switch to replace it.

**MAS Tequila** · 11-04-2014, 03:09 PM

http://www.ebay.com/itm/04-Kawasaki-...402078&vxp=mtr

MT

VulcanE · 11-04-2014, 03:43 PM

If the bulb checks out ok, take the volt meter and check the plug, that plugs into the bulb. Start there and work your way back toward the switch checking for voltage on the bright line. Probably is the switch, but you want to make sure.

roadhawg · 11-05-2014, 08:30 AM

checked it again today and found that when I switch on brite lite it comes on but very dull just a very small tiny light

roadhawg · 11-05-2014, 12:26 PM

Update
New bulb was bad
Put new one in and all is good!
Also put some "bulb grease" on connectors,

Note....Be careful NOT to touch the glass part of the bulb!

**cnc** · 11-05-2014, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadhawg

Update
New bulb was bad
Put new one in and all is good!
Also put some "bulb grease" on connectors,

Note....Be careful NOT to touch the glass part of the bulb!

Good, glade you didn't take the switch apart first.
Yes Halogen bulbs will get hot spots and burn out from the oil residue on your fingers. If you do touch them by accident you can wash them with acetone on a paper towel.

roadhawg · 11-08-2014, 06:34 PM

Still have something goin on
Brites work sometimes, but sometimes they just cut off. Dim lite works all the time, go figure!
?????????????

VulcanE · 11-09-2014, 08:47 AM

Sounds like you have a bad/loose connection somewhere in the high beam circuit. Start pulling/wiggling the wires in this circuit, inside the headlight bucket, wiring up the bars to the switch, etc. Do this with the headlight on, bike not running, and battery tender hooked up.

11-03-2014, 05:30 PM	#1
roadhawg Advanced Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Starke Florida Posts: 856	Brite headlite wont come on! OK so it was blowing fuses , I put in a new H4 silverstar bulb as recommended. Now when I hit the dimmer switch to the brite lites, they go out, go back to dim and lite comes back on. Its gotta be the switch, yes??? __________________ "Ride it like you stole it"! 2008 1600 Nomad 56K miles "BlueBelle" 2004 1500 Nomad 102 K miles "Black Beauty" ABATE Black Creek Chapter Amvet Rider Post 86 http://www.facebook.com/AmvetPost86 Weston A. Price Foundation member. Vegetarian...... An old Indian word meaning "Bad Hunter" Legalize Freedom! Question Authority! "Im in love with the waitress, and I dont even know her name" "Boys" Gone Wild" ! Mainstreet Station 2012 Daytona Bikeweek Login or Register to Remove Ads
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11-03-2014, 05:45 PM	#2
Teachme Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Woodleaf ,NC Posts: 418	I would think so. __________________ 2001 Vulcan Nomad 1500cc Carbed Model.
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11-03-2014, 07:17 PM	#3
Bud2rat Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: St. Pauls, NC Posts: 2,089	roadhawg, be very careful taking the switch apart. There are several small brass plates and springs inside the switch. I had a similar problem and took the switch apart. While separating the switch, the springs decided to fly the coup. Lucky me, I had an old switch from a VN800 that I robbed the springs from to repair my switch. __________________ Robert Torrey VBA# 02077 Vroc# 27672 1996 800A Customized (SOLD) 2001 1500 Nomad (The Mistress) 2013 Voyager 2014 SE Rally - Elkins, WV 2016 SE Rally - Helen, Ga
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11-03-2014, 07:48 PM	#4
TX1700 Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 128	roadhawg, I would ohm out the new bulb to see if the high beam was open. It would not be the first time one came broken. __________________ TX1700 on VBA plunge on Texas VROC VROC #36447 VBA #02703 Ivan's reflash 2013 Vulcan Voyager ABS 2002 Road Star (sold)
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11-04-2014, 03:09 PM	#7
MAS Tequila Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Psychiatric Ward FL Posts: 3,429	http://www.ebay.com/itm/04-Kawasaki-...402078&vxp=mtr MT __________________ MT 2016 FLHP Psychiatric Ward FL VBA 936
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11-04-2014, 03:43 PM	#8
VulcanE Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cartersville, Georgia Posts: 4,838	If the bulb checks out ok, take the volt meter and check the plug, that plugs into the bulb. Start there and work your way back toward the switch checking for voltage on the bright line. Probably is the switch, but you want to make sure. __________________ Cliff "VulcanE" Evans 2005 Blue & Silver 1600 Nomad VBA # 320 VROC # 20381
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11-05-2014, 08:30 AM	#9
roadhawg Advanced Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Starke Florida Posts: 856	checked it again today and found that when I switch on brite lite it comes on but very dull just a very small tiny light __________________ "Ride it like you stole it"! 2008 1600 Nomad 56K miles "BlueBelle" 2004 1500 Nomad 102 K miles "Black Beauty" ABATE Black Creek Chapter Amvet Rider Post 86 http://www.facebook.com/AmvetPost86 Weston A. Price Foundation member. Vegetarian...... An old Indian word meaning "Bad Hunter" Legalize Freedom! Question Authority! "Im in love with the waitress, and I dont even know her name" "Boys" Gone Wild" ! Mainstreet Station 2012 Daytona Bikeweek
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11-05-2014, 12:26 PM	#10
roadhawg Advanced Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Starke Florida Posts: 856	Update New bulb was bad Put new one in and all is good! Also put some "bulb grease" on connectors, Note....Be careful NOT to touch the glass part of the bulb! __________________ "Ride it like you stole it"! 2008 1600 Nomad 56K miles "BlueBelle" 2004 1500 Nomad 102 K miles "Black Beauty" ABATE Black Creek Chapter Amvet Rider Post 86 http://www.facebook.com/AmvetPost86 Weston A. Price Foundation member. Vegetarian...... An old Indian word meaning "Bad Hunter" Legalize Freedom! Question Authority! "Im in love with the waitress, and I dont even know her name" "Boys" Gone Wild" ! Mainstreet Station 2012 Daytona Bikeweek
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11-08-2014, 06:34 PM	#12
roadhawg Advanced Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Starke Florida Posts: 856	Still have something goin on Brites work sometimes, but sometimes they just cut off. Dim lite works all the time, go figure! ????????????? __________________ "Ride it like you stole it"! 2008 1600 Nomad 56K miles "BlueBelle" 2004 1500 Nomad 102 K miles "Black Beauty" ABATE Black Creek Chapter Amvet Rider Post 86 http://www.facebook.com/AmvetPost86 Weston A. Price Foundation member. Vegetarian...... An old Indian word meaning "Bad Hunter" Legalize Freedom! Question Authority! "Im in love with the waitress, and I dont even know her name" "Boys" Gone Wild" ! Mainstreet Station 2012 Daytona Bikeweek
	0

11-09-2014, 08:47 AM	#13
VulcanE Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cartersville, Georgia Posts: 4,838	Sounds like you have a bad/loose connection somewhere in the high beam circuit. Start pulling/wiggling the wires in this circuit, inside the headlight bucket, wiring up the bars to the switch, etc. Do this with the headlight on, bike not running, and battery tender hooked up. __________________ Cliff "VulcanE" Evans 2005 Blue & Silver 1600 Nomad VBA # 320 VROC # 20381
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