[countryartist]

Hello everyone!

I ride a 2008 400, beautiful red, of course.

I am having what it is now an intermittent problem and may become constant. I always ride with my high beams on for greater visibility. Every once in awhile recently, I've noticed they do not come on. As they bike it triked I can look and see that the lows are always on but even flicking the high beam switch doesn't get them to come on.

Any idea what may be he problem? Feel free to ask questions, etc. I'm nto very good at explaining my problems. Other than he thingamajiggie isn't workng right.

N

 

[Duster]

I'd be looking at the High Beam/Low Beam
switch thingamajiggie....
maybe spray a bit of Switch & Contact
Cleaner into the switch, & then switch
it back & forth to rub the contacts.

 

[countryartist]

There is actually a switch and contact cleaner? Where would I procure such an animal?

 

[cliffyk]

The low and high headlights are separately fused; replace fuse #1 (10A) with one known to be good--it may not be the problem but replacing it will rule that out...

 

[Duster]

Spray cans of Switch & Contact Cleaner
is usually available through the electronics
parts stores....
For me in Lafayette, I'd go to Lafayette Electronics
on N. Earl St....just S. of Union....Earl is 1 block
W. of 52. No idea of what you might find in
Lebanon or Crawfordsville....closer to you.
The spray cans usually come with a spray tube,
like WD-40....easier to get right down into a switch.

 

[Desert Rat]

Most name brand auto parts stores should also carry contact cleaner.

 

[countryartist]

Just ruled out the fuses. Thanks for that thought. Allowed me to explore my bike a bit more.

Checking the stores at lunch time for the cleaner. Road trip!

 

[Duster]

Yep...what Desert Rat said....
auto supply stores may be able to
fix you up also....

 

[countryartist]

Got the cleaner. Loosened the casing so I could spray in there. No luck. Both headlights don't work. Neither does the passing light. The wiring that was exposed looks good. The only thing I can think of now is a relay. Sigh. Now I think I'm officially out of my comfort zone.

 

[macburg]

Just the obvious first.....did you try replacing the bulbs??

 

[countryartist]

Mark, didn't replace the bulbs as I thought it would be odd for both of them to burn out at the same time and they actually look difficult to get to.

Good suggestion though. Perhaps a weekend project for me.

 

[Duster]

The bulbs are not difficult to get to......
I could get together with you, & show you
'how to do it yerself' in about 10 minutes.
If you still have my number, call me.

 

[countryartist]

Duster, I need to get the replacement bulbs first. Can't find your number anywhere but we can figure that part out once I have the bulbs. Can you confirm that I am looking for 12V 60 w h4 bulbs?

Thanks for the offer!

 

[Duster]

H-4 halogen bulbs at the auto supply..
that's what I'm using. Should cost about
$10/$12 each....don't really need
the high-dollar ones.
Also...PM sent.

 

[JohnK]

I see that you are looking for a light switch. Is that the reason for failure of your high beams?

 

[countryartist]

Hi John!

It turns out that I have no headlights at all. The blinkers work, that's it. The bulbs are good. Going to check out the wiring this weekend but what I have checked so far seems solid. What else could it be but the switch?

 

[JohnK]

If no luck here on the forums from someone parting out a bike, then try E-Bay. Sometimes they show up there and may be cheaper then from dealer.

 

[countryartist]

Thanks for the suggestion. I did find several on Ebay. Will check out wiring first and then head in that direction if necessary.

 

[countryartist]

Ok, so hang on for a wild ride!

The headlights are fixed. I kind of, totally, backed into it. Nothing I did on the left hand side of the bike accomplished anything, except it's all nice and shiny, fuses and bulbs checked, switch checked.

Notice my starter switch was a little hinky so I decided to open up the thingamajggie and clean it. Cleaned all the contacts. Worked the switch several times to make sure it acted the way it should be after cleaning well, wash, lather, rinse, repeat (not really). Put it all back together. Say what?!? The headlights work. Who am I to question it? Well, I do.

Today I go into town to help a recent widow with cleaning up office stuff for her husband who passed 3 weeks ago. I worked with him for 34 years so I pretty much know all the office stuff. But I digress.

On the way home I pass the bike shop where I get my parts, etc. when I have a need and go to the service area and ask about it. I explain everything I have done and the fact that lights now work. His explanation:

If the starter switch doesn't release all the way back to the correct position the lights won't work because there is no connection there. He told me something I never noticed (but I did the first time I started the bike again). When you turn on the ignition switch the lights are on. However, when you push the starter button the lights go off to avoid undue drain on the electronics when starting the bike. As soon as the bike starts, the lights come back on. If the switch is at all hinky the lights don't come on.

Voila! I'm a genius! No, just lucky with this. For once, a visit to the service department doesn't cost me anything and my Burgman grin is back in full force.

Sorry for the length....kind of.