Headlights

[Engel]

Came to start the Glee this morning after being off sick for a week and the headlights don't come on.  Bike works and rides fine otherwise and the sidelights and indicators are still working.  Fuses seem to be okay still so I guess it's just a pair of blown bulbs?

If that doesn't fix it any other ideas what it could be?  Knowing my poor luck with bike electrics I want a plan of action of what to check if he new bulbs don't work.

Going to pop to halfrauds at lunch, will Car H4 bulbs be fine?  They're cheaper and buy one get one free as opposed to the bike ones...

[V-Strom3]

As long as they are 12v bulbs they will work.
Is it easy enough to take out the bulb and see if a filament has gone, just to save the expense of buying a bulb you might not need?

[Gassoon]

Chances of both blowing together are small...as VStrom3 says take 'em out and look at them (you would have to anyway!), maybe have a wiggle of wires, blocks you can see under the cowling there. Also, there is a chance (believe it or not) that the issue is related to the starter switch. This is a not-uncommon fault on Stroms (after 2005 approx).

Greywolf would probably link you here ...http://www.stromtrooper.com/information ... blems.html

Basically, get some electrical contact cleaner squirted in there first, see if that works. If not, you may have to dismantle the switch. Details on 'how to' are on that link.

But just to emphasise: do the simplest things first - with any luck its the big connector behind the left side tank fairing that's loose/needs a clean, especially when the bike is out all weathers.

[Locky]

Yes if both bulbs have blown at the same time make sure you put a few quid on the lottery  
Not sure if the Glee has the same wiring as the Wee but it's more than likely one of the connectors behind the radiator.

[mr_diver]

Check for corrosion on the connectors for the bulbs also as they tend to also be exposed to the elements.
The connectors behind the rad are the usual culprits though.

[greywolf]

By far the usual culprit is the headlight cutout switch in the starter button on the right handlebar. The next possibilities are the connectors behind the radiator top shroud and the large connector in the left side of the fairing. The best way to avoid problems is to add headlight relays. Once the problem occurs, it can take more than cleaning. Heat from marginal contact can cause movement in the metal.

[Engel]

Right had a close look and bulbs aren't blown. Got out the multi metre and I'm getting 0v at the headlight plug.

I'm right  in thinking that the connectors on the left side are the ones covered in a rubber "sock"? If so does the connector go straight to the bulbs? I'm getting 12v from the 4 pin plug there however. Is the 4 pin plug for the lights, as when unplugged the sidelights go off?

Not sure what to do now!

[greywolf]

First check the starter switch. It is by far the most common fault. The following is a similar switch very close to your model.

http://blacklabadventures.com/2012/02/1 ... intenance/

[crazyhorse]

Hi

Had this fault on my Glee a couple of months ago.
I my case it was the connector behind the radiator shroud, and if you wiggle the cable coming from the left hand handlebar switch, with the ignition on, you might see the headlamps flicker.

Its worth a look.

Cheers
Crazyhorse

[Engel]

Another lunchtime of working on the bike.  It's not the starter switch. It has been cleaned and the contacts work fine.  I'm also getting voltage through the light side of the switch so I think the problem must lie between the switch and the bulbs?  Does anyone know how the cables are routed so I can check along the way?

I tried to look behind the radiator but I couldn't see anything and giving things a shove/wiggle hasn't made any different.

[greywolf]

The connectors are at the top on the back of the radiator shroud. You can see them right in front of the air box on the back of the top radiator shroud. You have to take off the radiator or the fuel tank for access.



If the problem is the large connector under the rubber cover in the left side of the fairing, you're likely to see this.

[Engel]

So it's not the 4 pin connector in the rubber cover?  Will check the large connector tonight then!

[greywolf]

Sorry. The Glee has two smaller connectors rather the one large one of the older bikes. It's a newer bike so not many connector problems have been reported. It's still my recommendation to install headlight relays to prevent connector problems.

[Engel]

So the light appears to have come on while riding in the rain today...

Now I'm even more confused.

[Oop North John]

Bad earth / connection that the damp allows tracking?  <!-- s:shrug: --><!-- s:shrug: -->

I'd try when the bike is dry and the lights don't work, spraying water at various connectors and see if the lights come back on.

[trip67]

this same thing happened to me today: headlights not been working for last 2 weeks after a strong jetwash, washed her today & lights came back on... till bike dried (I assume) and then went off again. What does bad earth/connection entail doing??? please

[greywolf]

Possible places include the headlight cutout contacts on the start switch (most often reported), one of two connectors behind the radiator top shroud and a connector in the left side of the fairing. The radiator connectors seem to be more problematic in the UK because of salted roads.