Re: Why do my headlights only work sometimes?
 

Thanks Big Ape. I took the underseat relay box out and put it back with no result, but I had been wondering what it was...

Spanner Man, you are of course correct about the starter disconnecting the headlights. I separated the switch without taking it off the bar and gave the innards the contact cleaner treatment without result. I couldn't see anything moving in there though so it looks like it'll have to come off for disassembly. Does it squeeze off past the throttle cables or do I have to reduce the bars to their component parts?

And Ralph, the sidelights still work so there's no need for me to be discussing the matter with Strathclyde's finest! And Monday was the first day I needed the bloody lights on having worked away all September...

Re: Why do my headlights only work sometimes?
 

Good morning.
You normally have to remove the switch from the handlebars to take it apart, which can be a pain when it has throttle cables attached as yours has.

Dismantling switches usually ends up with one of those dreaded 'ping F***IT' moments as the tiny springs depart elsewhere! :D
If you can access the contacts on the back of the switch, you could try bridging between the yellow/white & the black/red. Use a small piece of wire & make sure you don't touch it against anything else.
You could also test the switch at the loom plug, unplug it & test for the following;
The starter button when depressed should show continuity from the orange/white to the yellow/green. (Starter circuit)
Upon release you should have continuity from the yellow/white to the black/red. (Headlight circuit).
Unfortunately good continuity doesn't necessarily mean all is well with the switch, as a cruddy contact will often read ok on a multimeter, but not actually allow current through. So you may end up having one of those 'ping F***IT moments after all.

Also check your left hand switch plug, as the lighting current runs through both handlebar switches.

Cheers.

Re: Why do my headlights only work sometimes?
 

So not a job for the office car park in the rain you're saying? OK, there will now be a slight delay!

Thanks again Spanner Man.

Re: Why do my headlights only work sometimes?
 

Afternoon all.
No, definitely not a car park job, unless you can get an office Floozie to hold a big brolly over you, hold an inspection light, make you coffee, pass the tools, & have a portable heater to hand, with which to waft warm air in your direction when required.....Octopus Floozie methinks!:D

Cheers.

Re: Why do my headlights only work sometimes?
 

Bit off topic, sorry.

Are you sure about that?
On my K1 the only box down there except for the fusebox is the sidestand relay/flasher unit. nothing to do with lights as they're switches directly by the RHS grip and then the hi/lo/pass on the LHS grip.

Re: Why do my headlights only work sometimes?
 

No surprises that Spanner Man was dead on about that...

Took it to Mickey Oates in Glasgow who diagnosed a dodgy connector block (the one that lives above the radiator) due to water ingress. The mechanic gave it a good clean and applied some sort of purple miracle grease to get me back on the road while a new part was ordered. Happy happy.

Fast forward to the arrival of the part under warranty and it's replacement yesterday. Part in question? The wiring loom. All of it. Seems Suzuki wouldn't honour a claim for something so insignificant as the connector block so I get a new (miracle greased up) wiring loom and a promise that it'll give me no more trouble.

Had to reset the time on my clock mind you, but I know how to do that...

Re: Why do my headlights only work sometimes?
 

because........... they are only somtimes switched on?



:rolleyes: