Author Topic: Headlight not working  (Read 6861 times)

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DougKauer

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Headlight not working
« on: March 24, 2014, 11:20:08 PM »
Just picked up a 1979 invader, but the headlight is not working and the guy told me it was working two weeks ago. Bulb is new.  Does anyone know what the problem might be. thanks for any info.  :(

Interceptor398

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Re: Headlight not working
« Reply #1 on: March 25, 2014, 07:22:26 AM »
Check the wiring and connectors.  Does the tail light work?

kawhead

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Re: Headlight not working
« Reply #2 on: March 25, 2014, 08:38:52 AM »
no tail lite...check engine connector under radiator......tail lite...check harness from headlite bulb back

jimvw57

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Re: Headlight not working
« Reply #3 on: March 25, 2014, 09:47:59 AM »
could be the dimmer switch on the handlebars, might be unplugged. or just a bad bulb, or maybe wires melted going to the bulb under the hood. They can fall on the exhaust if they aren't tied down good.

thomy

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Re: Headlight not working
« Reply #4 on: March 25, 2014, 01:40:37 PM »
Could be the voltage regulator. To check this you should be able to unplug it if your headlight bulb is good an all wiring and dimmer switch are working. If the regulator has a dead short you should have lights. DO NOT REV THE ENGINE with the regulator unplugged. You'll blow all your bulbs if you rev the engine with the regulator unplugged.

58Evinrude

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Re: Headlight not working
« Reply #5 on: March 25, 2014, 08:43:06 PM »
What should the output be? I'm getting 100 to 155 volts ac on my 80 Intruder non electric start. And I can't keep bulbs in it!!

Lloyd (ljm)

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Re: Headlight not working
« Reply #6 on: March 26, 2014, 04:26:44 AM »


 100-155 is pretty high.

 I have seen 50-60 volts ac with no regulator.
 
 With the regulator working they should test 12-16 volts ac. Much more than that and the bulbs will blow

 Lloyd
77 SST
78 Intruder
79 340 Invader
80 440 Invader
80 Drifter (bought new)
80 LTD 4/6    X2

Several Deeres

58Evinrude

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Re: Headlight not working
« Reply #7 on: March 26, 2014, 10:08:29 AM »
so I wonder what's causing it to be so high? There is a reg on it, but it's pretty obvious that it's not working. The only bulbs that are lasting are the instrument lights (which are useless anyways) and the high beam side on the headlight.

thomy

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Re: Headlight not working
« Reply #8 on: March 26, 2014, 05:16:47 PM »
Check the continuity of the wiring to the voltage regulator. If it is good then the regulator is either bad or ungrounded.

If it is not electric start the Kimpex part number for the voltage regulator is 01-154-33. If it has electric start Kimpex part number 01-154-16 will work.

58Evinrude

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Re: Headlight not working
« Reply #9 on: March 27, 2014, 07:19:33 AM »
Thanks, I'll try that this weekend. Maybe I'll just get a reg to be on the safe side. And nope, no electric start.

kawhead

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Re: Headlight not working
« Reply #10 on: March 27, 2014, 08:06:01 AM »
that high of voltage and the high beam not burning out doesn't sound right.....

Lloyd (ljm)

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Re: Headlight not working
« Reply #11 on: March 27, 2014, 04:27:59 PM »
I was thinking that too Kawhead.

 All the bulbs should just go pop as soon as it starts
77 SST
78 Intruder
79 340 Invader
80 440 Invader
80 Drifter (bought new)
80 LTD 4/6    X2

Several Deeres

58Evinrude

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Re: Headlight not working
« Reply #12 on: March 27, 2014, 06:29:49 PM »
I'd think so too.. but the taillight goes first, then the brake, then the low beam. Still haven't blown the tach and speedo bulbs...hmmm wonder if I'm reading the voltmeter wrong, and it's actually 10 to 15.5 v?? I'll recheck this weekend with my old analogue meter.

jimvw57

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Re: Headlight not working
« Reply #13 on: March 28, 2014, 02:12:19 AM »
Come on!! I know you can tell the voltage by licking your fingers and touching the wires... That's how us old timers do it.... Hate to admit it but I do have a few analog meters laying around yet too.

58Evinrude

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Re: Headlight not working
« Reply #14 on: March 28, 2014, 06:25:32 AM »
LOL.. yeah, but if it is 155 that's it's putting out, it hurts the hair!! If a digital meter is set to 2000, and the numbers displayed are 100 to 155, I would guess it's that's what its measuring .. 100 to 155?? At least with an analog meter, and the X 1, X 10, X 100 settings, you know what the measurement is!!!