Low beams gone, how to trace problem?

Another electrical issue, after the damn starter relay giving up on me.

Seems my low beams are no longer working, hi beams work fine, as do all other lights, On the Sk1 models there's two white lights, one goes to the left hand controls to select hi/lo, and the other goes to the main instrument cluster up front.

I have a multimeter, but i'll be honest i have no idea how to use it to find the fault, i can only assume i'll have to take the front left fairings off and disconnect the main section going in to the clocks ? but i'm lacking the know how of where to find the break in the wire ?

Should i simply just get a new wire and run it up the bike to test in the mean time ?


Yours Frustrated

d.

try googling multimeter instructions. tis how i found out how to use mine

Bit obvious but have you checked the bulbs.....

Yellow is high beam and white is low beam, they both have a common earth with the indicators which is black with a white line. The front loom connector blocks are a common for them to rot in to a green mess. So I would take a look at those first to see where the issue could be.
Running a wire to the battery direct should be fine to test if you lights work, but be careful you don't blow anything.
All the connections go back into the fuse box under the seat where you should be able to see the relevant colours for connection so check back to there first making sure all the fuses and contacts look good there too.
Once you have done that you can start tracing to the front loom, systematicly eliminating the various connections.

Oh and check you ain't blown both bulbs, or the connectors are loose or something.

Originally Posted by custard

try googling multimeter instructions. tis how i found out how to use mine

Usually i would, but i'm short on time, working today, and leaving dublin for a 4 hour drive to morrow

Originally Posted by warrenhewitt10

Bit obvious but have you checked the bulbs.....

The hi beams work, so i'm assuming there low's should work, if not can you blow one half of a bulb ?

Originally Posted by Grinch

Yellow is high beam and white is low beam, they both have a common earth with the indicators which is black with a white line. The front loom connector blocks are a common for them to rot in to a green mess. So I would take a look at those first to see where the issue could be.
Running a wire to the battery direct should be fine to test if you lights work, but be careful you don't blow anything.
All the connections go back into the fuse box under the seat where you should be able to see the relevant colours for connection so check back to there first making sure all the fuses and contacts look good there too.
Once you have done that you can start tracing to the front loom, systematicly eliminating the various connections.

Oh and check you ain't blown both bulbs, or the connectors are loose or something.

Found the two white guys @ the fuse box, and i've seen the two connector blocks up near the front end, just above the carbs. i really need to re do my wiring soon which means learning how to do electrics properly

[ophic]

Originally Posted by drag

The hi beams work, so i'm assuming there low's should work, if not can you blow one half of a bulb ?

yes you can - its a different filament inside the bulb. Two lamps in one glass, effectively.

Originally Posted by ophic

yes you can - its a different filament inside the bulb. Two lamps in one glass, effectively.

Yep they take H4's which as said are 2 filaments, H1's only have one filament.

Best check it first else your be swearing a lot about it, and its quiet possible to blow them both at the same time.

Originally Posted by ophic

yes you can - its a different filament inside the bulb. Two lamps in one glass, effectively.

whats the bets i've busted them when the Starter relay was acting up ..... damn you power !!! i've the old gammy yellow bulbs some where i'll see if i can get some new philips later on, assuming its bulb related.

Ok, it's not busted bulbs, just fitted the left bulb to the connector, and no joy, but the head lights work ok.

Any body know the voltage that runs through these cables ?

When i tool the connectors out, and managed to get the red + probe in beside the white cable it shows up .05 with the lights switched on.
With the head lights on they show .50 or there about that with the multi set to 20v

way in over my head here, nxt thing i'll do is check the loom connections above the carbs to see if there's any thing there ..

[jambo]

The connectors for the bulbs should have 3 connectors, ground, plus 2 +ve connectors (1 for high beam, one for dipped). Voltage between ground and either of the positives should be +12V DC when that light is supposed to be live.


Jambo