[danawalker2]

The head light on my 07 Shadow Aero VT750 quit. The park lights work on front and rear but not the rear directional run lights. The front directional run lights work also. Is there a kill switch for the headlight while starting that can be tested or replaced and if so where is it located?

[danawalker2]

Found the Problem!!
The starter switch has within it the headlight cut out switch and the switch is bad. Working the switch and cleaning the terminals worked but most likely will need to be replaced.
Dana W

[smkeatr]

Thanks for posting up the fix.

[danawalker2]

During my research I discovered this is a common problem with this bike. I also discovered you should not add any load to the existing headlight wiring.
My bike I got used and road lights were already on the bike. They were wired into the low beam headlight wire. This most probably added to my problem.
The starter switch disconnects the headlight and connects to the starter relay so the starter will get all battery load for start. When it slides back to reconnect the headlights the load can heat up the contacts and melt the plastic switch.
I ended up taking apart my switch and found the contact plate and the spring behind it melted into the slider. I caught it soon enough so it was repairable. With care the switch can be rebuilt but care must be taken not to loose any pieces and in some cases the plastic slider may be melted beyond repair. I now plan to wire my road lights to the battery directly and install it's own relay.
I hope this will help others to avoid loosing your lights at night while in traffic at 50 mph as was my case. Scary, especially in Florida traffic. (It is really bad here.)

[smkeatr]

I hear ya on the Florida traffic. We've got 2 Shadows and will keep this in mind in the future if that problem presents itself, hopefully not at night. Looks like a $50 part to replace the whole switch assembly.

[danawalker2]

Yah the part is expensive and the problem will just happen again and again if the cause is not corrected.

[smkeatr]

$50 is a cheap fix, order the part and just replace the whole assembly to be safe. Cheaper than an hours labor at any shop and it's an easy job.