78 GW Headlight, directional signals and Dash Lights not working. Everything was working when I put it away for the wint

[boxerworks]

78 GW headlight, directional lights and Dash lights not working. I'm getting only 8v up front. Batt has 12.7V?

[Rambozo]

Corroded connector and or bad ground connections. Start at the battery and work your way towards the lights until you find where the voltage drops.

[landisr]

Mice chewing on wiring?

[boxerworks]

Correction, dash lightswork. Turn signals light up but are dim. Bike has Vetter faring so hard to see all connections. No voltage at headlight and around 8V in handlebar area. Bike is in heated shop,so no mice. Everything was fine when I put in away in Oct. Where/how is the faring grounded?

[landisr]

All fairing wires are obviously 'driven' through the multi-pin connector in the left fairing pocket. The other side of that connector is part of the 'pigtail' that connects to various points in the bike's wiring harness. Because of questionable voltage at different lights in the fairing, I think you might be right about possible issues with the ground wire, which I believe is green. However, you may also have loose or dirty pins in the connector mentioned above. Good luck.

[boxerworks]

I disconnected the plug in the left pocket and cleaned the connectors, however, didn't help. What's interesting is I have driving lights connected to this harness and they work, also have a USB style charger with built in Voltage meter. It shows 11v and Batt voltage is 12.7. There is zero voltage at head light and negative voltage reading???

[WingAdmin]

I disconnected the plug in the left pocket and cleaned the connectors, however, didn't help. What's interesting is I have driving lights connected to this harness and they work, also have a USB style charger with built in Voltage meter. It shows 11v and Batt voltage is 12.7. There is zero voltage at head light and negative voltage reading???

Have you also tested the ground?

[boxerworks]

Where is the ground for the Vetter wiring harness located? I have tested the main ground from the battery to the frame and it's good.

[landisr]

I don't recall where any instructions stated to connect it. But the 'pigtail' is quite short, just reaching the area inside the front of the left side shelter cover. Look for one of the wires connected to a spot on the frame. Any screw, nut or bolt on the bike's frame. I have even seen them on one of the hose clamps on the fairing bracket.

[77Goldwing]

I had a similar problem with my 1977. The fairing is insulated from the mounting bracket by thick rubber grommets to soak up some of the road vibration. I checked my original Vetter installation instructions and it shows the ground as a black fairing wire and a green bike wire. (I do have the original instructions plus the supplemental pamphlet - I could scan and provide if there is any value to the forum.) Anyway, I ran a 10-12 gauge black wire directly from the battery negative terminal to the fairing green wire and that solved the low voltage, poor ground issue immediately. I wire-tied it along the left upper frame rail. Have not had to revisit it for 10-15 years now.

[boxerworks]

I tried to find the Green wire you referenced, but no luck. Where did you locate it? Most of the wiring is hidden by the Vetter Fairing. The only way I can get to it is to remove the Fairing, which I'm not looking fwd to. The neutral and oil pressure light up, and horn works, but i get negative voltage at the headlight plug. I'm at a loss. Could the problem be with the Handlbar swithes?

[landisr]

Perhaps 77goldwing can scan and post the diagram here. ?? In the meantime you can remove the fairing; it's not rocket science. Unplug the fairing harness from where it goes into the fairing, undo the 4 nuts/bolts (2 on each side) that hold the fairing to the bracket and lift the fairing off and set it aside. Then you can chase the wires at the other end of the harness where it goes inside the left 'drop down' side cover of the fake fuel tank. At that point, using the upcoming diagram, check the voltage on each wire to see if things are ok at the fairing end of the harness. If so, then you will know that the problems are inside the fairing.

[boxerworks]

Thanks for the info. Guess I'll be removing the fairing. Should the headlight be on with the ignition on and engine not running? I know some bikes have a feature that disconnects the headlight during starting to reduce Amp draw.

[landisr]

Headlight is on at key on, but goes out during 'cranking'.

[boxerworks]

Thanks for your response. I took the Fairing off and grounds are ok. I double checked the 10amp headlight fuse and found it just fell apart in my hand when removed, however, After replacing it I'm still only getting 11V at the cable pins that plug into the Fairing. The only grounds I've found are those on both sides of the original headlight bucket. I've also cleaned the Battery ground and the Batt is at 12.7V??

[boxerworks]

I got the headlight working. There were several issues. All the wiring checked and grounds were good. So I was stumped. Even tho I had checked the 10 amp headlight fuse I checked it again and it fell apart in my hands. Also, determined that my low beam was burned out; however, I had switched between both, so I assume it was the fuse all along. I'm sure it was an original 78 fuse. Everything now works except my left hand turnsignal doesn't flash. The right one works ok?