Headlight AND Gas Gauge Not Working!

ChefGabe · Post by **ChefGabe** » Wed May 08, 2013 6:36 pm

Hello
This is my first post. I have a 2005 Stella 2T, my second one, after my Stella Fireball (99/150) got wiped out in an accident, and the headlight and the gas gauge are not operating. I have gone through the headset, patched the short wires in the twist shift so it doesn't short and even cleaned up all the connections on the headlight assembly and installed a new bulb!

I am at a loss as far as what I can or need to do to get me back out on the road. Please help, I forgot that driving a car is EXPENSIVE!

Cheers,
Gabe

Lokky · Post by **Lokky** » Wed May 08, 2013 6:43 pm

I have #98! Sad to hear about your #99

The gas gauge is one of those things that you really shouldn't expect to have working, either the float cracks or the circuit dies, regardless it's easier to simply open reserve when you run out and go fill up than to try and keep fixing it over and over.

As far as the headlight, since you fixed the shorting problem, are you sure you have it grounded correctly? IIRC it goes to the same ground as the horn, does your horn work?

JohnKiniston · Post by **JohnKiniston** » Wed May 08, 2013 6:43 pm

I believe the Fuel Gauge runs off AC power so it'll only work when the bike is running. That said, Have you checked the connection under the seat to make sure it's not come undone there?

Now the Headlight is also powered off AC, It could be you've got a problem with the switching module under your horncast.

ChefGabe · Post by **ChefGabe** » Wed May 08, 2013 6:47 pm

Lokky wrote:I have #98! Sad to hear about your #99

The gas gauge is one of those things that you really shouldn't expect to have working, either the float cracks or the circuit dies, regardless it's easier to simply open reserve when you run out and go fill up than to try and keep fixing it over and over.

As far as the headlight, since you fixed the shorting problem, are you sure you have it grounded correctly? IIRC it goes to the same ground as the horn, does your horn work?

The horn work intermittently, like it's trying to die or shorting out. What is "IIRC"?

ChefGabe · Post by **ChefGabe** » Wed May 08, 2013 6:48 pm

JohnKiniston wrote:I believe the Fuel Gauge runs off AC power so it'll only work when the bike is running. That said, Have you checked the connection under the seat to make sure it's not come undone there?

Now the Headlight is also powered off AC, It could be you've got a problem with the switching module under your horncast.

I've had the horn cast off, what am I looking for specifically?

Cheers!

ChefGabe · Post by **ChefGabe** » Wed May 08, 2013 6:49 pm

In regards to AC, I have been kick starting it for over a year, I need a new battery, does this effect the AC for the headlight?

Lokky · Post by **Lokky** » Wed May 08, 2013 6:53 pm

ChefGabe wrote:In regards to AC, I have been kick starting it for over a year, I need a new battery, does this effect the AC for the headlight?

no the headlight should run completely off the engine... the horn however will be very weak with a dead battery.

JohnKiniston · Post by **JohnKiniston** » Wed May 08, 2013 6:58 pm

It's possible having a dead battery for that long has damaged the regulator.

Under the horncast it's a little white/grey box, It's usually labeled.

I'm not sure how to test it, Especially with a dead battery.

Do you have a battery tender or similar you could hook up to 'simulate' a battery for testing to see if you get the pilot light, horn, blinkers, etc on DC?

ChefGabe · Post by **ChefGabe** » Wed May 08, 2013 7:36 pm

I could borrow the (working) battery from a friend's bike. Then what do I do?

DCUNITED4LIFE · Post by **DCUNITED4LIFE** » Wed May 08, 2013 7:54 pm

Familiarize yourself with this....you'll be needing one.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multimeter

DCUNITED4LIFE · Post by **DCUNITED4LIFE** » Wed May 08, 2013 7:57 pm

you'll also need this:

JohnKiniston · Post by **JohnKiniston** » Wed May 08, 2013 8:44 pm

I think that's the wrong diagram, It doesn't have the switching unit in it.