Hi-Lo Headlight switch

[waterslider65]

I hope someone out there can help me with this one. All of a sudden my headlights will not go to bright. I have tried everything that I know to do, but the switch still will not throw the lights on bright. I can find no easy way to get inside the hi-lo switch so I could lube it or get the corrosion out etc. Does anyone know how to remedy this bad situation or problem for me?

[tom84std]

Don't know if it'll help your problem or not, but I've had very good luck with it. Years ago I had a similar problem with my bike. I squirted a shot of WD40 into each switch opening and worked them back and forth a few times. The problem was corrected immediately. About every six months or so I do that, been doing it for years. I haven't had a bit of trouble since that first incident.

[Aussie81Interstate]

You should find a small hole in the bottom of the switch housing - get a can of INOX or LANOSHIELD - and/or WD40 and spray inside the hole and indeed every opening on the switch itself - even getting under any sliding parts. Wrap a towel or cloth around the underside of the switch to catch all the excess. As mentioned previously - work the switch components backwards/forwards several times- I think you will find that it will now work.

If not it should only be two screws to undo and liberally does the inside of the switch - concentrating on the hi/lo section.

cheers

[MikeB]

Did you take a look at the Headlight Hi Relay? Is it working? Has it come unplugged?

[Dusty Boots]

Make sure your bulbs are good, connections tight, switches clean and your fuses/relays are good!

[robb]

About 6 weeks after replacing my headlight bulbs went for inspection and high beams would not work. Turned out to be a bad relay. Headlights are directly controlled by a relay, switch swaps from low relay to high relay.

Sure sign its a relay is when both bulbs won't work, one light and its a bad bulb.

[MikeB]

The GL1800 Fuse Panel looks like this:

But the Relay Panel is where the relays are, under the seat.

The Headlight Hi Beam Relay is number 16.

[Big Blue UK]

When you have checked the fuse and relay, and if you still have no high beam, check for voltage on the blue/white wire relay pin (from the fuse), and the blue wire relay pin with high beam on (this is the wire from the switch, if this is dead the relay is getting no signal from the switch)

[waterslider65]

I am trying all of your suggestions guys and eventually I will get this problem solved. I have already ordered a couple of relays. They don't cost much so I am taking the easy way first. Thanks so much for the help!!

Skyknight

[waterslider65]

BTW, to avoid confusion. My trade nickname is Skyknight as I have been flying all my life.
The "waterslider65" is what my son named his first cat!!!!!
Becha never heard of a cat named Waterslider have you??

[Big Blue UK]

Hopefully it will be a relay then if the fuse is obviously in tact. Intrigued as to why your son named a cat Waterslider

[robb]

Did you try to swap relays around to check lights, most of the relays are interchangeable.

My daughter rescued a Rhodesian Ridgeback and as soon as she opened the car door he was out, over the fence and in the pool. Dog had a name we could not say and since he spent most of his time in pool we called him "pool boy". Good dog, he would leave pool to pee and kept the other kids entertained.

[Big Blue UK]

Did you try to swap relays around to check lights, most of the relays are interchangeable.

By far the quickest and easiest, unless something has fried the relay, hopefully not but if there is a underlying problem, it may fry the relay he puts in. Hi beam is the only 10A relay on the 1800 relay bank so he cannot swap with a relay the same amperage for testing.

Personally I would fit the new relay, if hi beam works, start up and leave the engine to warm up with hi beam on, to make sure a overheating problem did not fry the relay, before replacing the seat.

To me these are the easier diagnostic steps, if he still has no high beam he may end up testing the signal from the starter switch, when operated it cuts the power to the high beam switch until released, the starter circuit permanently cutting power to the high beam switch is the next culprit. But hey ho, lets just hope it is the relay.

[Big Blue UK]

"pool boy". Good dog, he would leave pool to pee

Never had pets in the home myself, but the mind boggles, how the hell do you teach a dog to do that .

[robb]

Never had pets in the home myself, but the mind boggles, how the hell do you teach a dog to do that

That's a very expensive dog and it must have been it's previous owner, thinking possible a boate . It amazed me especially when he would lay on a float in pool and sleep for hours at a time. He done a good job as lifeguard to the kids.

[waterslider65]

Blue, I can't answer your question as to why my son named the cat Waterslider. Who know why a kid does things like that?
Rob, I had a friend in Wyoming who had a Rhodesian Ridgeback. Very very smart dog. Smarter than a lot of people I know.