Please Help With Some Elictrical Weirdness.

davef · 06-06-2003, 11:08 PM

I left work this evening and immediately discovered that my headlights (low and high) didn't work. A few miles later I realized that, although my running lights were on, when the blinker switch is engaged, the running lights don't blink! So I stopped in a gas station expecting to change the fuses and be on my way. Wrong! Both the headlight fuse and the signal fuse were OK.

So I gimp my way home using hand signals and peruse the manual. I did the tests it called for and I'm pretty convinced the blinker relay is dead as my tests revealed that the handlebar switch is functioning. These relays go for about $20 on Ron Ayers.com.

However, the manual doesn't mention how to test the headlight relay, in fact it barely mentions it all. On page 19-0 there is a diagram with the headlight relay pointed out but no mention of tests in the entire manual. I want to do the easy thing and order a headlight relay (even though its mislabeled on the microfiche as the starter relay) but I have trouble believing that 2 relays went at exactly the same time on a 2000 RR with 16,400 miles on it.

Can anyone advise me as to how to test this relay?

Thanks,
Dave

figment · 06-06-2003, 11:24 PM

Not sure about your problem, but relays work by switching inputs and outputs when energized. You need to find the energize points, energize them and measure any differences on the other contacts.

EDIT: Check for good grounds.

davef · 06-07-2003, 1:54 PM

I checked for grounds and they seem to be good. So how do you figure out with points to energize? Trial and error? I have an old bike battery laying around so I can check relays with that, correct?

Thanks
D

figment · 06-07-2003, 7:09 PM

the way 'I' would do it would be to check the schematic for input leads, or measure with the supply ('upstream switch' (Headlight??)) switched off, then on to find it.

davef · 06-08-2003, 6:37 PM

Fig,
Thanks for all the help. I just ordered both the relays because all of my wiring tests indicate that the relays are bad.

I was able to jump the appropriate pins in the relay connector and the headlight worked correctly, I'm still amazed that both relays went at the same time...

soniccbr · 06-09-2003, 9:42 AM

check the starter switch

davef · 06-10-2003, 11:05 PM

I ordered new relays and magically, the old ones both started working again...I applied power to them and at first they wouldn't switch but eventually they did. It was as if they were stuck?? Anyway, they work now and there are new ones in the mail.

Thanks All

figment · 06-11-2003, 1:23 AM

the old ones are probably soft going to full-hard failure.

davef · 06-11-2003, 9:22 AM

Quote the old ones are probably soft going to full-hard failure.

That's why I'm glad I ordered the new ones...I'll squirrel them away and when the original ones act up BAM! in the trash and the new ones go on. Besides, having spares is the best way to keep the old ones working forever

BushrodW · 06-19-2003, 3:10 AM

what's the latest on this?

ilikesilver · 06-25-2003, 10:11 PM

I just had this exact same thing happen earlier this week. wouldn't mind hearing how the update is either =)

davef · 07-21-2003, 9:14 AM

Sorry guys, I haven't been checking this thread. As of yesterday, the old ones still function perfectly. Because they know I have spares they will continue to work...

biglos · 07-21-2003, 10:46 PM

i just had a solder joint break killing my headlights. it was on the starter switch. a few seconds on the iron got em back up as good as new

davef · 08-08-2003, 6:09 PM

Well, it happened again!
I was caught in the rain last night and my headlights and blinkers stopped working. I'm not happy with the bike right now. I spent half the morning testing circuits and I still don't know what the problem is. I keep getting conflicting test results but my best guess is the left handlebar switch.

Hey Biglos, you said a problem with your headlights was caused by a bad connection in the starter switch?

Maybe I'll check the right hand switch...

luvtolean · 08-08-2003, 6:12 PM

With your tester hooked up, shake the wiring. If you have a bad solder joint or wire, you can get an intermittent contact that will work sometimes.

ULEWZ · 08-09-2003, 1:02 AM

One of the manuals on this site ought to offer some troubleshooting tips. TroubleShoot954.

GhostRider · 08-09-2003, 11:55 AM

Quote:

ULEWZ : One of the manuals on this site ought to offer some troubleshooting tips. TroubleShoot954.

Thanks man...just what I was looking for.

davef · 08-10-2003, 11:45 AM

Thanks ULEWZ, but I already have the Honda manual for the 929. It's pretty helpful and I'm learning more about the bike's electrical system than I want to

davef · 08-22-2003, 12:17 PM

I found the problem! The Right Front running light/blinker was causing the whole bike to freak out. The two blue wires in the turnsignal were coming into contact with each other causing heat in that part of the wiring. Eventually they were always in contact and that caused the green wire in the front wiring harness to melt, depriving the headlights and blinker of voltage to run. I repaired the blinker wiring and the green power wire and the bike is fully functional!

Woo Hoo!