A bit of a cleanup (down under)

[TexasDave]

Well Jools sounds like you have a good plan.

Dave

[ribbert]

Oh, ok, so you were kidding (you got me)....

- something must have been lost in translation, I was neither kidding nor setting you up.

Pat, I was serious when I asked you if you were sure the headlight cuts out, that's very early for that feature and I thought you were just winding me up by suggesting I don't know how my own bike works (by asking me to check it) After all, suggesting I don't already know what the h'light does when the starter is engaged is a bit like asking if I know how to get air into my tyres! (I just googled that in case you actually asked me  )

Some might find that offensive, but not me.

To answer you question, I have a '93 and a couple of others around that vintage. The headlight is not switched and does not cut out when the starter is engaged. It dims from the draw of the starter on the battery, as any similarly equipped vehicle does, but that's it, it definitely does not "switch off" while cranking like later model bikes. I have a bike that does that and one where the headlight won't come on until the engine fires up.

The reason I asked if you were sure about it is that the cut out feature is a later rather than an earlier one and it seems odd that Yamaha would introduce it then discontinue it on the later models such as mine. The dimming light can easily be confused with it switching off. It is not one of those features that you would think would change between markets either, it has nothing to do with regs or emissions.

As always, I am happy to proven wrong (learn something) and I lay no claim to being an expert on FJ model differences.

Pat, to echo your suggestion to me, perhaps you could check yours to make sure it is actually switching off, not just dimming.

Noel

[aviationfred]

I know that on my 1989, when The start button is pushed, there is a voltage interrupt that kills voltage to the headlight, I will try to verify this on the electrical drawing when I get home. I am about to leave work in 15 minutes. I rode the '95 in and since it is still very dark out, I will check and verify whether or not my particular bike's headlight stays on, dims, or goes out completely when I push the start button.


Fred

[ribbert]

I know that on my 1989, when The start button is pushed, there is a voltage interrupt that kills voltage to the headlight, I will try to verify this on the electrical drawing when I get home. I am about to leave work in 15 minutes. I rode the '95 in and since it is still very dark out, I will check and verify whether or not my particular bike's headlight stays on, dims, or goes out completely when I push the start button.


Fred

Thanks Fred, that would be excellent.

Noel

[FJ_Hooligan]

What I recall from doing the headlight relay mod a bazillion yewars ago:

On the '85, headlight goes out when the starter button is pressed.
On the '93, headlight stays on.

The headlight turning out (on whichever models have it) is a debugging clue to a sticking/dirty starter button.  That and the oil light staying on.

[Pat Conlon]

Yes, my '84's headlight switches off, for sure...so, it looks like Yamaha discontinued this, (along with self canceling turn signals) in later models. Perhaps when Yamaha went to the bigger battery, they felt the headlight interrupt was unnecessary?

I'll be darned...

[andyoutandabout]

You've got me thinking now. I'm pretty sure the 86 cuts the headlight and had self canceling indicators and doesn't leave the oil light on when you press the starter. So long as it starts I'm happy.

[Pat Conlon]

Andy, with the key on, flip your handlebar run/stop switch over to the stop position...now thumb the starter button, your red oil level light and fuel light should illuminate.

That's the way the Owners Handbook describes on how to check those light bulbs in your cluster.

[FJ_Hooligan]

My FZ1 turns the headlight off while cranking.

On my BMW, the headlight doesn't come on until the motor is running.