Headlight High & Low Beams
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- Posts: 14
- Joined: Tue Nov 13, 2012 8:46 pm
- Location: Indiana
- Motorcycle: 94 GL1500A
02 Shadow VT750ACE
Headlight High & Low Beams
Ignorance is bliss……I guess…when I got my 94A, only the left headlamp would work on low beam, high beam would bring both headlamps to life, & I was happy. Now if I understand correctly, BOTH headlamps should be working on both low & high beams. Is this correct? I’d like to get this corrected before switching over to HID headlights this winter. All other lights work correctly as I would expect them to (running lights, tun signals, high beam indicator, etc)
I’ve looked for a troubleshooting guide in the service manual for the headlamps to address this but am unable to locate anything I understand. My questions-1. What should be engaging on both High & Low beams and 2. Where do I look to fix this?
I have removed both bulbs from their fixtures and it appears both bulbs have both filaments intact & have switched Left & Right bulbs with no change.
I’ve looked for a troubleshooting guide in the service manual for the headlamps to address this but am unable to locate anything I understand. My questions-1. What should be engaging on both High & Low beams and 2. Where do I look to fix this?
I have removed both bulbs from their fixtures and it appears both bulbs have both filaments intact & have switched Left & Right bulbs with no change.
- Dusty Boots
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2013 Victory Cross Country Tour
Re: Headlight High & Low Beams
Check to make sure your headlight connections are clean and tight.
If that doesn't fix it, try switching # 4 and # 8 relays around.
If that doesn't fix it, try switching # 4 and # 8 relays around.
- RBGERSON
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had every year from 75 to 83
Re: Headlight High & Low Beams
Could be just a bad bulb low beam filament burned?? When you get ready to switch over and the bulb is out take a hard look at it before you start looking for other issues????
HAD LOTS OF GOLDWING 75-83
NOW INTO 1500'S..RIDING A 1998 SE
FAIR WINDS,
RB
NOW INTO 1500'S..RIDING A 1998 SE
FAIR WINDS,
RB
- Fiberthree
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Re: Headlight High & Low Beams
+1 on dustys comment.
Since the trouble didn't follow the lamp, you might also check the wiring in the plug itself to make sure it isn't broken.
Since the trouble didn't follow the lamp, you might also check the wiring in the plug itself to make sure it isn't broken.
Ed
WARNING: All posts are subject to influence from an uncontrollable dominant sarcastic gene. Offensive remarks may or may not be intentional.
WARNING: All posts are subject to influence from an uncontrollable dominant sarcastic gene. Offensive remarks may or may not be intentional.
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- Posts: 14
- Joined: Tue Nov 13, 2012 8:46 pm
- Location: Indiana
- Motorcycle: 94 GL1500A
02 Shadow VT750ACE
Re: Headlight High & Low Beams
Relays #4 & #8 have been switched. I now have no low beams & high beams have both bulbs engaged, unsure if they are actually brights or just both low beams engaged.
- Dusty Boots
- Posts: 727
- Joined: Mon Oct 26, 2009 4:25 pm
- Location: Alvinston, SW ON
- Motorcycle: 1992 GL1500 Aspencade
2013 Victory Cross Country Tour
Re: Headlight High & Low Beams
Have you sprayed some cleaner/lube in your HI/LOW switch assembly and worked it?
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- Posts: 14
- Joined: Tue Nov 13, 2012 8:46 pm
- Location: Indiana
- Motorcycle: 94 GL1500A
02 Shadow VT750ACE
Re: Headlight High & Low Beams
OK, I took the switch apart & the switch is now cleaner than new, even the turn signal switch "clicks" when engaged. No change, nothing when on "low" and both bulbs engaged on "high". I've also checked continuity & sprayed cleaner on both relays & in the relay box and they are good & I have switched them back & forth. Any other suggestions? I really need help on this one!
- Dusty Boots
- Posts: 727
- Joined: Mon Oct 26, 2009 4:25 pm
- Location: Alvinston, SW ON
- Motorcycle: 1992 GL1500 Aspencade
2013 Victory Cross Country Tour
Re: Headlight High & Low Beams
Hmm .... now both low beams are out?
Just for kicks, have you tried new bulbs that are known to be good?
If so, you might want to loosen up the fuse/relay panel and check out the condition of the wiring behind/at the low beam headlight relay (#8) and also check condition of fuse # 12, which is below relay # 8
Sometimes the relay connections at/behind the panel become hot and deteriorate.
After that ..... I'm all out of suggestions/ideas!
Just for kicks, have you tried new bulbs that are known to be good?
If so, you might want to loosen up the fuse/relay panel and check out the condition of the wiring behind/at the low beam headlight relay (#8) and also check condition of fuse # 12, which is below relay # 8
Sometimes the relay connections at/behind the panel become hot and deteriorate.
After that ..... I'm all out of suggestions/ideas!

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- Posts: 14
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02 Shadow VT750ACE
Re: Headlight High & Low Beams
Is there a way to test the panel from the front? Without getting behind it?
- cal3san
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Re: Headlight High & Low Beams
I had a low beam HL that had a mind of its in that it worked when it wanted to work. Pulled and it looked fine but when I put it back in socket no work.
Put new bulb in and problem cured. Just for sake of continuity I also changed " good" bulb too and saved it as a spare. Bulbs $7 each, time expended - 30 minutes maximum.
Put new bulb in and problem cured. Just for sake of continuity I also changed " good" bulb too and saved it as a spare. Bulbs $7 each, time expended - 30 minutes maximum.
YNCM-USN Retired (1964-1990)
RVN Veteran (MCB-53 1968)
PGR
RVN Veteran (MCB-53 1968)
PGR
- Fiberthree
- Posts: 550
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Re: Headlight High & Low Beams
How handy are you with a VOM? It is usually the first thing I grab when troubleshooting electrical problems. Following the wiring diagram , check for 12v starting from the light sockets and work your way back to the switch. If there is 12v at the sockets, then you have a contact problem with the bulb plugged in. Another thing to check is for a good ground connection for the sockets.
Ed
WARNING: All posts are subject to influence from an uncontrollable dominant sarcastic gene. Offensive remarks may or may not be intentional.
WARNING: All posts are subject to influence from an uncontrollable dominant sarcastic gene. Offensive remarks may or may not be intentional.
- TerryRuth
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Re: Headlight High & Low Beams
which are 4 and 8 i have no low beams but both hi hot wired bulbs they are good