Headlight problem

Smittydc · Post by **Smittydc** » Mon Sep 21, 2015 1:09 am

There is a special corner of hell where you are forced to fix intermittent electrical problems. Today's version: 170i headlight which turns at certain points as you turn the handlebars.

I've checked all the obvious connections and the highbeam switch.

I think it might be a bad ground wire inside the harness. Hard to tell since it's just one big fat wrap of wires.

Sigh...

Smittydc · Post by **Smittydc** » Mon Sep 21, 2015 3:01 am

Looks like a short in the dark green wire in the harness.

jrsjr · Post by **jrsjr** » Mon Sep 21, 2015 1:12 pm

Smittydc wrote:There is a special corner of hell where you are forced to fix intermittent electrical problems.

Don't I know it? Nothing makes my heart sink like when somebody gets on here with an intermittent electrical problem, has never seen a schematic diagram or a multimeter before, doesn't have a basic understanding of electrical principles, and thinks they are going to troubleshoot it themselves. No problem!

At that point, the best I can do is try to gently lead them to come to the conclusion for themselves that they need to bring it to a pro.

Smittydc · Post by **Smittydc** » Mon Sep 21, 2015 1:51 pm

Let's just say I know my multimeter a little better now.

Of course, if we had an actual wiring diagram for the 170 and not a "this is kinda the wiring diagram" that would be helpful.

jrsjr · Post by **jrsjr** » Mon Sep 21, 2015 5:28 pm

Smittydc wrote:Let's just say I know my multimeter a little better now.

Of course, if we had an actual wiring diagram for the 170 and not a "this is kinda the wiring diagram" that would be helpful.

That would take all the fun out of it! According to my wiring diagram, that green wire should run straight ("straight" = does not run through any connectors) between the switches and juices the "Hi/Lo" beam switch. Is that correct?

Smittydc · Post by **Smittydc** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 6:06 pm

Yep. That's the one. It shorted in the harness near the steeting wheel - must have been rubbing on something. I bypassed that portion of the harness and all is good now.

jrsjr · Post by **jrsjr** » Tue Sep 22, 2015 9:21 pm

Smittydc wrote:Yep. That's the one. It shorted in the harness near the steeting wheel - must have been rubbing on something. I bypassed that portion of the harness and all is good now.

A happy ending to an electrical troubleshooting story

Excellent.

Modern Buddy

Headlight problem

Headlight problem

Re: Headlight problem