Suzuki GS500E Headlight Earth Problem

[Simon Bailes]

After completely rebuilding my GS500E I have a problem with the front headlight. With the headlight installed on the bike, I get the neutral and oil lights lighting up when the ignition is turned on but the engine will not turn over. If I remove the headlight, leave the wires connected but rest it against the front forks, the engine turns over and fires perfectly. I have traced the wiring through the headlight compared to the wiring diagram and everything seems properly connected. Am I missing the obvious here? Where should I start to look for a solution?

Thanks.

Simon.

[DeeTee]

Possibly a bad connection in the cable that comes from the starter button, does this terminate in the headlight bowl? Try moving the light around whilst pressing the start button.

[finpos]

First thing that springs to mind is that the kill switch is activated - normally this requires an earth to operate. By removing the headlight you are possibly loosing the kill switch's earth so enabling the starter and engine.

If it's not the kill switch, you might well have additional interlock circuits (side stand, gearbox neutral etc.) which again rely on an earth through the headlight somewhere.

Check wiring diagram, obviously.

f.

[Simon Bailes]

Thanks for the heads up I will play about and see what happens.

Simon.