Lights not working??

[mattjs895]

ok well my main headlights are not working, i have tested the wires with a voltometer and its showing up 12v for both high and low beam.

with this in mind, the headlights should work but as soon as they are connected, the lights do not work and there seems to be no power getting to them.

my dad reakons that it has something to do with the load going through the wire, or even the high low beam switch..

if it is one of these, what ways are there to test which one it is, or is there any other ideas for this reason.

cheers
matt

[iooi]

Bulb Ok ????

Is that power to the back of the connector for the bulb, or at the switch.
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Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

[mattjs895]

yea the bulb is ok and the power is to the connector at the back of the bulb..

[UnknownStuntm...]

If the bulb works, and there's power there, it suggests there isn't a good earth....

[mattjs895]

i have tried connecting the power to the bulb, and then touching the bulb onto the frame and this is not working either..

[ZaphodBeeble]

How do you know the bulb is OK? Are you just looking at the filament? Get a new bulb, it will take that out of the equation. If you have power and a good earth then it HAS to be the bulb, no question about it.

Z
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Current bike: VTR1000F Firestorm. Previous: Firestorm (written off) - XJ600 Divvy - NSR125 - DT125 and a load of offroaders.

[mattjs895]

i have 4 good bulbs and each of them have been tested...

[iooi]

[mattjs895]

[ZaphodBeeble]

Get a couple of wires and connect them to the battery terminals then touch them on the terminals of the bulb just briefly. It should flash. Z
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Current bike: VTR1000F Firestorm. Previous: Firestorm (written off) - XJ600 Divvy - NSR125 - DT125 and a load of offroaders.

[mattjs895]

have just tried that a the bulbs are working

[ZaphodBeeble]

It must be a problem with the connector that fits onto the bulb then. Are you testing the front or back of the connector? Find out which connector is the positive terminal and test for voltage. Then change the multimeter to Resistance and put one of the meter terminals in the neutral connector and one meter terminal onto the frame. The resistance should be very low or 0 ohms. That will show that you have a good supply and good earth.

Z
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Current bike: VTR1000F Firestorm. Previous: Firestorm (written off) - XJ600 Divvy - NSR125 - DT125 and a load of offroaders.

[mattjs895]

i'm testing the front clips which would connect with the light bulb..

and there is still voltage going through, and no resistance..

[ZaphodBeeble]

When you test for voltage are you putting the positive meter probe into the connector and the negative probe to the chassis?
____________________
Current bike: VTR1000F Firestorm. Previous: Firestorm (written off) - XJ600 Divvy - NSR125 - DT125 and a load of offroaders.

[mattjs895]

i am testing it by putting one rod on the low or high beam connector and the other on the live on the connector...

[ZaphodBeeble]

Try it by putting the negative test probe on the chassis. Then try all the connectors with the positive probe and see what voltages you get for each.
____________________
Current bike: VTR1000F Firestorm. Previous: Firestorm (written off) - XJ600 Divvy - NSR125 - DT125 and a load of offroaders.

[mattjs895]

i was only getting about 7 volts from the low beam connector and nothing from the high beam...

any suggestions

[ratboy]

check the treminals for dirt debris and any oxide. clean them with some wd40 style stuff and a toothbrush. check the continuity from each battery terminal to the light. check and grease any connectors (scrub them if dirty or oxidised). if that doesnt work test the switch for continuity and power. if all of the circuits are continuous, terminals and connectors are clean and switch is working its the bulb or battery.

[ZaphodBeeble]

Do what Ratboy said. Start at the switch if the light terminals are clean. Your dad is probably right.
____________________
Current bike: VTR1000F Firestorm. Previous: Firestorm (written off) - XJ600 Divvy - NSR125 - DT125 and a load of offroaders.

[mattjs895]

i tested the switch today and got a voltage reading of just under 12v...any ideas what could be wrong then...

[iooi]