Headlight troubles Headlight not working.

Hi all I have been riding my VFR 800 vtec 2004 now for 6 plus and (touch hairy wood) never had an issue.
But today I jumped on the bike to head to work. Popped the key in tuned the key, popped the started button.

No Headlight ! WTF !
So I turned to the VFR Oracle (VFR World) to find lots of chat regarding the possible cause.
I have not had a look just yet so I only have the list of symptoms which differ ever so slightly from some previous post on here.
So here goes and if someone has had the same please let me know.

Turn the ignition on (no Headlight).
Press the Started button. (still No headlight)
Tried the High beam (works fine).
Tried the turn lights (worked fine).
Dash board + idiot lights (all work fine).

Only thing that’s not working is the dipped lights and the main headlights.

If anyone has a start point please let me know.
Otherwise I’ll be riding around with high beam on.
Not so good for the fellow road users.

 

Sure, the switch corrosion is a prime suspect. Open the headlight switch casing via the two screws. Spray electronics cleaner on each of the switches. Work the switches back and forth. After two minutes they are dry. Re-assemble. I think I used DeoxIT from Radio Shack and the very briefest of sprays is plenty to coat whatever you are pointing at. If you are a neat freak then put a towel behind the whole operation. These sprays travel in all directions.

I bought my 1999 last year and as soon as the weather warmed up a couple degrees, the turn signals and headlights began failing and cleaning the switches fixed them. After talking to my mechanic he suggested strongly that I have him clean all of the switches and connections. From corrosion and the constant arching a switch experiences, these are beginning to generate more resistance, more heat, and various grounds will fail leaving mysterious problems. So this is on the end of my season maintenance list and I highly recommend it for others. We see too many people troubleshooting mysterious problems when proactive maintenance could prevent a bike from failing in the middle of the freeway. We need to stop and realize that these parts are corroded, they require a one time maintenance, and then they will treat us well for another decade.

 

Hi Knight

Thanks for getting back to me so quick. I will give this a go.

I will update with the outcome. As you say at the end maintain it now and run for another 10 year. sound advise.
Thanks again.

Redtop66

 

i would have a look at the low beam relay, as the start switch will kill both high/low beam on crank. have you checked the actual bulbs yet. over voltage will take out bulbs also. just a mention

 

Hi Rjgti

Bulbs fine and High beam all good as well. As I said the other road users flashing can vouch for that.

Will check the Start switch first looks to be a simple enough check. The relays and stuff need the weekend to strip down and check further so plans afoot for this Friday. Might just do that and clean all the contact under the dash just for good measure. Checking the voltages as I go.

Thanks again.

 

Always helps to remember that power to the headlights goes through the START pushbutton. :smug:

 

that controls low power for headlight relays for hi and lo beam squirrelman

 

Interesting enough this thread is helpful to me have fixed dead indicators previously with contact cleaner, but the other night went from Low to High beam which was fine then back to low slowing into an intersection where the lights went completely out, went back to high and back low and after a brief delay like it was was thinking about it then was fine again ?

 

The issue happening when slowing makes me think something is loose and changing position from the brake force. Or maybe using the controls moves a damaged wire. Inspect the wires from the light switch on the left and the wires on the right controls. Maybe have the lights on for testing as you move them slightly. Does the light switch seem to work reliably on both settings?

On the brake controls, check that the brake light switch is not touching the handle bar.

A question in my mind is, did the problem only affect lights? Did you perceive any change in the engine? The problem is not the sidestand kill switch, as the stand flops around, is it?

Any changes to the bike recently?

 

My bike 2009, Canadian VFR800A. Bought used with 7K Km.

Interesting thread.... like. In my case, after a detach of the battery to unhook a charger connect not used, the low beam on the left side. is out. Right side works, high beams works. Tested the bulb, OK. Bulb is H7.

What should I check now?

Also, my radiator fan blows out, so I think the previous owner did a mod on the blade. Am I correct on this? Yea, it is hot all the time here in PH.

Many thanks.......

 

That may be a VTR1000 / Superhawk fan blade which does blow out. This is a modification some VFR800 owners make.

 

Yea, agree. It been modified by the PO.

It blows out to the left rather strongly, but sitting still, not much different in results.

Nothing like buying a used bike, and not knowing the mods done.

Oh well......