Need help already - High beam OK, low beam not OK

[Ricardo]

This forum is awesome

As long as it works, well...it works and I'll leave it at that for now and concentrate on some more "important" stuff: lockable saddlebags, a chain lubrication device and new mirrors (current chromed Kuryakyn look good, but chrome mirrors on a black handlebar? I don't think so...)

[CDNRatMan]

 hey so we all learned something and we solved a problem pretty cool I would say.......

the only stupid question is the one not asked........

[Troll]

See, I knew I wasn't dreaming...Same kind of switch and light on my V65SP.....I may not remember 15 minutes ago, but 20 years is easy to recall.

[Ricardo]

Yes, my headlight reflector has a hole for that small bulb...Bulb goes into a rubber socket and the socket goes in the headlight reflector...

On the right side of my handlebar is a three position switch; All off, Daytime running light and low/high beam. On my left I can switch between low/high.

I cant remember having a DRL on my EN500, but my old Aprilia 500cc motorcycle scooter might actually have had the same configuration. In Sweden you're required to run with low beam on at all times. But if some european countries (I dont really know myself to be honest) only requires a DRL, then maybe there's an explanation right there; i.e. configuration is depended on what market the vehicle was created for.

Sorry if I sound a little noobish here....this is actually only my 3rd motor vehicle ever. I've owned said bikes above and I've never owned a car...

[CDNRatMan]

  So Ricardo does your headlight reflector have a hole in it that said bulb will fit into?

[waltervl]

Just checked: Mine has such a running daylight bulb with matching hole in the reflector. It is the first bike for me that has it. For my country it is not needed but perhaps for others it is.

[chief]

I don't think drifters have those... even European ones... maybe some of our european members can comment.

Correction Apparently, this IS a European thing.

[Troll]

I remembered the name of the thing. It's called a city light. Euro spec reflectors would have them, but the N American ones wouldn't. Google E code city light, and, while there is not a great deal of information, there is some. The city light in my Moto Guzzi was, as I remember, a 194 wedge bulb. The European headlight switch (remember those?) had a position for city lights...and the horn button had a "light horn" position!......

[CDNRatMan]

  Troll then should there not be a hole somewhere in the headlight reflector that would be the spot for this.....

[Troll]

  A lot of European countries require that "extra" bulb in the head light ads a daytime running light. I had one in my Guzzi, and I know they are present on BMWs. It's connected to the tail light circuit, and goes on when ever the ign. is turned on. In the U.S., the headlight is required during the day, so this bulb is not present.

[CDNRatMan]

Ricardo:
I am not a electronic person, but a stab in the dark here, I went out and looked at my 800 Canadian version to be sure, and I am going to make a bet here, that little lite is something the PO has added into the system, why? for what? not sure. But just looking at your picture it looks that way, have you traced that wire back to the origin were it is spliced, or connected into the system.
Once more just a guess but perhaps that was meant to be mounted and as an indicator for your spot lights? I would trace it back and see what it does, and which fuse runs it....or if all is working leave it as a winter project to figure it out........

[Ricardo]

Ok, I'm not sure what it was that I did, but it's working now.

The small bulb is always on. The H4 acts as both low and high beam.

I again reseated the bulbs and most cables along the lines I could find. I also checked the fuses under the seat, and there's only one fuse for "Head". I pulled all of them out anyway and they checked OK. I twitched with the handle bar controls some and checked cables in the cable housing a third time today.

So...something of what I did helped    Overjoyed...motorcycle mechanics truly is Zen. Thanks...

[Ricardo]

Drift1: No, but I've quickly figured out. It's impressive even!

Seriously, thanks a lot guys, this really helps a lot!

I've reseated all the cables that have these plastic tubings binding them together (not sure what they're called in English) and checked all other ends. They're all firm and the connectors seem clean. I've also traced the cables from the H4 socket as far as I can without removing the seat. It all seems good with no tears.

But here's another thing...I have two bulbs in the head light housing. One small one which is probably just 3W or 5W and then the H4 one. The small bulb will always light up, no matter what. The H4 one will never light up, regardless.

Sorry if I'm being stupid here, but according to Greenbarns little diagram for the H4, this halogen bulb should actually be providing both low and high beam. So what's the small bulb for? Logic dictates that it can't be the parking light, since it's always on - even when the key is *not* in parking...

I'll check the volt out on the H4 socket and see what I get. In the meantime, here's a picture of how it all looks (the black that goes to blue are two extra mounted head lights):

[greenbarn]

this may be helpful:  diagram for the plug on the 9003/ H4 bulb:

[Troll]

I figured it would be the same. The switches and the rest of the parts are the same....

[CDNRatMan]

   Troll looks like the wiring diagram in my 800 manual......

[Troll]

I'm going to go out on a limb and say they are the same...this is the same wiring as my W-650. Can't see any reason for them to reinvent the wheel with headlight wiring...

[greenbarn]

Hey, Troll.  That looks like a diagram for a 1500 (it has a FI light, and a fuel level indicator light).   I suppose, though, the 800's light circuit is probably the same, do you think??   I don't have my manual with me or I'd look...

[Drift1]

Ricardo,did anyone ever tell you how much knowledge and support is on this forum.....

[greenbarn]

FANTASTIC - a wiring diagram.  Just what the doctor ordered.

Way to go Troll.

[Troll]

Does the blue indicator on the dash come on with the high beam, even though the light does not? If it does, then you have an issue with the bulb or the socket. If it does not, then the problem is with a connector inside the headlight, or the switch, itself. The wire for the high beam is red and black.

[greenbarn]

Like they said, OE bulb is a single bulb, 2 filaments.  What you really need to troubleshoot this is a test light, or a volt meter.  You'll need to check for voltage at the headlight plug.  If it is the OE 2 filament bulb, you should have 3 wires in plug.  One should be ground (-) and the other two should be 12v when either the high or low beam is on.

If you have proper voltage at the plug for High, it has to be a bulb problem (I have had bulbs be bad out of the package.  I have also had bulbs look 100% fine and be bad).

If there is NO voltage on the plug for High, then you need to start tracing the wiring backwards to see where your open condition is.   If you see any splices in the wire, for sure check them.

Hope this helps

[Drift1]

Ricardo.....I just checked my bulb as well and like RATMAN I have a single bulb with double filament as well.I'm going to have to agree with you RATMAN I think the highbeam filament is burned out.If your not sure what to look for on the bulb let us know.This should be an easy fix being you have all other lights working.

[CDNRatMan]

low beam and the two extra lights work just fine....ok so the spotlights are working ok and the low beam, so is your headlight one bulb? My 800 has a single Halegon bulb and it has both the High beam and low beam is right now I would check the filiment in the bulb.  If your bike has two bulbs I am not sure were to go from here. There is only one fuse for the low and high beam.

[Ricardo]

Man...I haven't had my bike for a week and I already need help from you guys...

For some reason, the high beam has suddenly stopped working. Low beam and the two extra front lights work just fine.

I tried replacing the high beam bulb, but that didn't change anything. So I thought I'd check the fuses and went back in to have a look at the service manual I downloaded (actually for the regular VN800).

Apparently, there's not one fuse for the high and one for the low beam, but rather one single fuse for the entire headlight. So if the low beam is working OK, it simply can't be the fuse. I've checked the cables in the head light shell, and they all seem to be seated OK.

What do I check next? :\