High beam voltage ??

[MG#43]

Hi all,

I've got an issue with my high beam. When the switch is turned on I get 11.60 volts from the connector 0 when off. This is the same as the low beam which works fine. I've tried the same bulb in the high beam and yet nothing. Is there more to this than meets the eye? Should they be higher or one higher than the other?

I've even swapped out the headlight loom on the assumption it was a gear indicator that had been spliced into the wiring, it does the same even with a standard untampered one. I've never had a need to measure voltages for bulbs in the past so don't have a good grounding (see what i did there! ) in this area...

thanks for your thoughts!

[A100man]

[that_impulse_guy]

its same voltage for high and low beam.

more interested to know what problem you are trying to find and solve by doing this...
____________________
Gone: Yamaha DT50lc, Suzuki DR500, Suzuki A100, Kawasaki z250ltd, RD350YPVS, Suzuki DR Big, Kawasaki AR125, Kawasaki KMX200, Suzuki GS1000S, Katana 1100, GS550M, Suzuki RGV250
Now: Suzuki GSX400X, Suzuki RF900R, NS400R

[MG#43]

[that_impulse_guy]

ok, i re-read what you wrote...so you've got two separate bulbs. low beam bulb doesnt work in high beam socket although does work in low beam socket etc.

comment1: 11.6 is a bit low...is that with bike off?
comment2: you mentioned "measured at the connector"...is that a block going to main beam, or actually sticking the probes into main beam socket? and if into socket, check what happens when you put a bulb into socket, maybe theres something physical going on shorting stuff out...if you measured 11.6v at the connector block, then also check if you have 11.6v at the socket end.
____________________
Gone: Yamaha DT50lc, Suzuki DR500, Suzuki A100, Kawasaki z250ltd, RD350YPVS, Suzuki DR Big, Kawasaki AR125, Kawasaki KMX200, Suzuki GS1000S, Katana 1100, GS550M, Suzuki RGV250
Now: Suzuki GSX400X, Suzuki RF900R, NS400R

[Nobby the Bastard]

What voltage is getting to the bulb? I suspect there's a break in the connection from the switch to the bulb.

Is the main beam element in your bulb blown?
____________________
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[WD Forte]

[Polarbear]

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

[MG#43]

what I'm struggling to understand is this. Turn ignition on, connector 1: has 11.6v and bulb illumination. Connector 2 is activated by a switch, when in the off position 0 volts, when activated it also has 11.6v. Using the same bulb the is no illumination. Things we know this is a high beam v low beam. Going back to my original question what is the difference in terms of voltage, how does it know to use the high beam or low beam elements when/if both connectors have 11.6v.

so, perhaps??? 11.6v is std for low beam. If the high beam loom connection also connection has 11.6v this will not power the bulb in the same was as the low beam did, nor is it enough to power the high beam.

the only thing that makes sense right now is that all 4 of my h4 bulbs' high beam elements are shot, and that the loom/ecu knows not to power the bulb with only 11.6v in the same way as it would/does with the low beam.... because..... it wants.....????? what? 12.5v ?

You put a 12v bulb in a connector with 11.6v seemingly this is good news, but in one that's 'high beam' its not good enough?

I'll buy another new bulb tomorrow to test.... Thanks for your comments to date!!

[Nobby the Bastard]

As you have a multimeter to check voltage have you bothered to check the continuity on the main beam of any of your bulbs?
____________________
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

11.6 volts from a battery delivering 12.5 volts is just ‘voltage drop’ across the distance between the battery terminals and the headlight connector.

[Nobby the Bastard]

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

[Nobby the Bastard]

I think he means he's swapped out the bulb but he's not being that clear.

Iwouldn't be measuring at the connector block but where the wire connects to the bulb fitting but thats just me with years of experience of doing this shit.
____________________
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[MG#43]

[Islander]

[Nobby the Bastard]

[MG#43]

[Nobby the Bastard]

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

Back to basics. Try a new twin-filament bulb.

[MG#43]

I'll try another new h4 tomorrow.... thanks for the sensible answers!

in ref to no brain! You cannot articulate a response so you come back with this? but choose to type this up and reply regardless?? That's pure showmanship, which needs to be celebrated!! well done sir!! you are a true biker!

[to v or not to v]

[MG#43]

Morning!

So, an update....

New bulb, no better.... but, I have learned that once I place the bulb in the connector the now 12v (I charged the battery over night) is gone/lost. Take it out and it's back to 12v.... So the bulb is shorting out the circuit. So what should i check next knowing its the same on x2 headlight looms and everything else on the bike is working....? A continuity check on the earth would surely be ok otherwise I wouldn't have power to the connector? I mean if I had a breakage why do i have 12v at the connector when the switch is on?

I tried redirecting the earth to another part of the bike, this was not a success but would have been a moment of true genius to go against previous remarks of my competence if it was!!