Why do my headlights only work sometimes?

I say 'only work sometimes' because I can't spell intermittent...

Anyway, a K6S it is so the lights are supposed to be on all the time but they seem to be on some kind of work to rule (ask your Dad). Makes no difference if it's wet or dry, warm weather or cold, been running or standing, you name it. Flasher doesn't work either but side lights and indicators are fine.

I'm figuring it's not a fuse or bulb issue and I've had the fairing off to check for (really) obvious chafes in the wires and to give the connector block a damn good WD40ing. The next event is switch disassembly (the old loose wire theory) but l'm less than keen on that so thought I'd find out what the usual problem is...

Cheers!

sounds like a losse wire?

You say that you figure it isnt the fuse box but have you actually checked it?
Not being condisending (cant spell either... I think,) but when I had my RS125, one day it wouldnt start for love nor money, I had it down in so many bits, tank off, carbs off, sparkies changed, battery changed. Then my missus said have you checked the fuses? Funnily enough there was one not quite seated properly and wouldnt you know... it started 1st time!




I've never heard the end of that one!

As others have said, intermittent problems are usually symptomatic of a loose wire/dodgy connection. Talking to the electrician last week (problem with wiring in my house) he said that the reason they usually go from only failing occassionally, to only working occassionally (and eventually to not working at all) is that as the wire gets loose, it gets hotter and the heating/cooling tends to make it work itself even looser.

Does it depend on it you have pressed the switch or not? HTH

NIBDH

[Stu]

Originally Posted by Tiger 55

a K6S

Did somebody say warranty?

I did check the fuses and one of them was loose! But it was the spare

No objection to having it done under warranty if that's what it comes down to, I'd just rather do it myself if I can. Helps justify tool expenditure to Mrs Tiger...

Originally Posted by Dr Rich

Does it depend on it you have pressed the switch or not? HTH

There is no switch on a K6 Doc, but thanks for the H

"It's only just happened today offisher! I've known about it since 19th August? But thats just not true offisher! "

Not sure if this is the same on the pointy as on the curvy. But on the curvy, under the riders seat next to the fuses there is a little relay box that controls the headlights. It has been known for this to come loose giving the exact same symptoms that you describe. Try pushing it taking it out and put it back in again. This just may cure your problem.

[Spanner Man]

Morning all.
On a lot of bikes that have the headlights on permanently, the starter button is actually a two way switch, which disconnects the headlight when depressed. Thereby making more current available for starting.
I believe this is the case with K5 models & onwards. It would be worth getting a little contact cleaner into the switch, for it'll only be a refugee spring from a ballpoint pen that holds the contacts together, so any corrosion on the contacts could cause a loss of contact.

A mate of mine totally stripped his 1500 Goldwing in an attempt to find out why his lights didn't work, & finally after several hours of checking wiring & connections rung me in desperation, I said rather casually, 'have you checked the starter button'? He touched it, & guess what, it was stuck in slightly.
I wont repeat what he called me, as this is a U rated site, but it began with knowall & ended after several expletives with F***HEAD!

Cheers.