85 1100 no low beam

[sevenstarjt]

Hi,  I am having problems with the low beam. I read about the starter switch so I am going to clean it today but why would the hi beam work but not the low??? Test light shows power from the hi/low switch but no juice at the bulb plug?  Where is the relay located. The manual is no help. This is my first post so I hope its in the right place? Thanks JT

[Pat Conlon]

Did you try another bulb? It is very common to have the low beam filament burn off.

[sevenstarjt]

Thanks, I tested the bulb and both sides work? Tested the plug and low side dead. Switch back and forth from hi to low and get the high beam but not the low. Seeing as I am running a license plate from another bike I figure I don't want to blind any cops at night so I need the low beam!

[Pat Conlon]

...so you've tested the high/low switch at the bar and it's fine....did you test the continuity from the handle bar switch to the plug?
....so when you put the tester prongs in the lamp plug socket, you get no reading on the low side.

I would next rule out plug failure. See if the low side power wire has current at the plug. Perhaps you have a internal failure in the plug.

Don't worry about the starter relay circuit...if it dropped out you would not get any high beam.

[sevenstarjt]

Great I will check the actual wire before the lamp plug for current and also the starter switch but if the starter switch is the issue would the hi beam also be out?

[TexasDave]

Great I will check the actual wire before the lamp plug for current and also the starter switch but if the starter switch is the issue would the hi beam also be out?

Yes. If you have high beam you are already getting voltage for both. There are two wires from the H/L switch. One feeds the high beam and one feeds the low beam. There is no relay just a switch. Check the switch to make sure you have voltage from the switch to both wires going to the headlight. If you have that voltage then you have a bad connection or broken wire from the switch to the low beam. Good luck and keep us informed.  Dave

[movenon]

Welcome ! I see you are from Reno.   What year is your bike ?  In the information below the colors of wire are from an early FJ but hopefully the same as yours.

Pat is giving you good advice.  I might add or ask how you are checking the voltage on the green wire (low beam) ? Check the voltage on the wire it's self,  not the from the front of the connector.  Check it from the back side or take a straight pin and push into the wire and check for voltage. The connector might be bad.

As Pat said if you are getting high beam then you have voltage coming from the starter switch to the Hi/Lo switch that should be a blue/black wire feeding into the hi/lo switch.

L/B = blue/black
G= green
Y=yellow
43 is main switch
40 Hi/Low switch
37 Headlight
38 High beam indicator
36 meter lights

[sevenstarjt]

Hi All I really appreciate the help. I have power to the green wite @ the HI/Low swithch coming out but after pushing a test light tip into the green wire @ the HL plug no current? The wiring is so stock and looks good I hate to dig into it? Also the fairing is covering so much I guess it has to come off? I am going to check the green wire @ the handle bar before it goes in to the harness. Pics are so dificult to upload but I will keep trying.

[sevenstarjt]

Good power at the green wire coming out of the switch unit. I could run a patch wire to the green @ the H/L plug?

[Pat Conlon]

A couple of suggestions:
1) Do you have a Owners Handbook for the year of your bike?
If so, there should be a color coded wiring diagram in the back of the handbook. Trace the circuit.
If not, see my signature line, you can down load one for free. Lots of good info. in the handbook.
2) Go to your profile (button at the top of the page) add in your signature line the year FJ you have...that would help us, help you.

Sure, you can try a temporary jumper to see if you have a continuity break in the oem wire.

[sevenstarjt]

This is intresting? The hayns manual I have shows the green wire and it looks like it travels to the low beam and to the fuel gauge and also the fuel level sensor? Since I bought the bike the fuel gage has not worked?

[TexasDave]

This is intresting? The hayns manual I have shows the green wire and it looks like it travels to the low beam and to the fuel gauge and also the fuel level sensor? Since I bought the bike the fuel gage has not worked?

The green with the yellow wire leaving the H/L switch should run directly to the low beam side of the headlight. The electrical schematic posted by George is for the 84/85 models which would be yours. However this schematic in the yamaha manual is very rudimentary. The later schematic for the 1200FJ is much more detailed and shows another plug in connector between the switch and headlight which is under the fairing and could be the source of a bad contact. Any other members confirm this?  Dave

[FJ_Hooligan]

The 84/85 has 2 main connectors under the fairing.  It is a good idea to periodically check/clean these connectors and apply dielectric grease. 

I'll bet your problem is either a corroded connection in one of these connectors or the low beam wire is broken somewhere between the hi/low switch and the plug.  The connector is an intermediate step and should help locate or further isolate the problem

[FJ_Hooligan]

This is intresting? The hayns manual I have shows the green wire and it looks like it travels to the low beam and to the fuel gauge and also the fuel level sensor? Since I bought the bike the fuel gage has not worked?

The green wire from hi/low switch to the low beam gets its voltage from the Blue/Red switch feed wire.  That green wire dead ends at the headlight bulb.

The green wire for the fuel gauge runs between the gauge and the fuel tank sender unit.  I believe that wire gets it's voltage from the Brown wire feeding the gauge.  I don't see anywhere that these 2 green wires know each other so you're probably looking at 2 different issues.

[sevenstarjt]

  I found it. A broken section on the green wire under the fairing!! Thanks for all the help, saved me a bunch of head banging! John[/URL][/img]   [/URL][/img]   [/URL][/img]