Headlight problem

[CanuckFJ]

I am having trouble with the headlight on my 86 FJ.  It initially comes on when you turn the key on but after it is started the headlight does not come on.  If you ride for a while the headlight sometimes comes back on.  Any suggestions?

CanuckFJ

[Dan Filetti]

I am having trouble with the headlight on my 86 FJ.  It initially comes on when you turn the key on but after it is started the headlight does not come on.  If you ride for a while the headlight sometimes comes back on.  Any suggestions?

CanuckFJ

Sound like a bad bulb/ short in the wires/ loose connection somewhere.  Start with inspecting the bulb itself.  [Do not touch the glass, or if you do, clean with rubbing alcohol before reinstalling, the oil from your hands, remains on the glass and super heats the bulb, significantly reducing the bulb life.]  If it's not the bulb, or bulb connection, trace it back through the various looms/ connection points, clean each connection point with electrical cleaner, then use dielectric grease to ensure a good connection point for years to come.

Even if this turns out not to be your problem, it's not a bad idea to do every few years anyway.

Report back on progress/ solution. 

Good luck,

Dan

 

[SlowOldGuy]

Your starter switch is dirty, spray it with contact cleaner or WD-40.

The first thing the starter switch does is kill the headlight.  If the switch does not return to its full out position, the headlight will remain off.  After you ride around for awhile, the switch eventually vibrates out and the headlight comes back on.

Check it by pulling out on the switch when the headlight is off and see if that makes it come back on.

If your dash lights are also dead, then this is definitely your problem.

DavidR.

[Signaller]

+ 1  Description DavidR,
    This is the first problem I had with my bike. I was in panic mod until you folks sorted me out.



Dan

[Dads_FJ]

I ran across a guy with a V-Max who's head light quit working (he was pretty far from home and was planning on riding @ night).  Same switch gear as the FJ - same problem I had with my '84. I pointed to the switch and said 'that's the problem'.  He'd been dinking with the issue for some time and couldn't believe it was resolved that fast and easy, but it was.

[SlowOldGuy]

I had an FJ practically stripped to the frame looking for a bad wire.  I finally took a break and thought about it for a minute ...

headlight + dash lights, hmmm that seems familiar .... DING!

Walked over and pulled on the switch, FIXED!.  3 more hours putting the thing back together....

DavidR.

[CanuckFJ]

David

unfortunate that you had to go thru what you did, however, it sure fixed my problem quick.

Thanks sooooo much

Dale

[SlowOldGuy]

You're welcome, glad I could help.

Thanks for reporting back.

DavidR.

[rcg917]

Yes DavidR, THANK YOU for the tip! I too was digging through the fuses, wires and switches. I replaced the bulb just to be sure it wasn't bad. I got on here and found your post and went straight out to the garage and pulled on the 'Start' switch and the lights came back on.

Ritch
'86 FJ1200
Dallas, TX

[FJmonkey]

I just found a clue to my intermittent head lamp issue: http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=9511.msg90308#msg90308

[rktmanfj]

Yes DavidR, THANK YOU for the tip! I too was digging through the fuses, wires and switches. I replaced the bulb just to be sure it wasn't bad. I got on here and found your post and went straight out to the garage and pulled on the 'Start' switch and the lights came back on.

Ritch
'86 FJ1200
Dallas, TX

Too bad he's not here to read that...   

[fj11.5]

Hope he comes back

[baldy3853]

Yes DavidR, THANK YOU for the tip! I too was digging through the fuses, wires and switches. I replaced the bulb just to be sure it wasn't bad. I got on here and found your post and went straight out to the garage and pulled on the 'Start' switch and the lights came back on.

Ritch
'86 FJ1200
Dallas, TX

Too bad he's not here to read that...   

Rich pull the switch apart and clean the contact points on the starter button with some very fine emery paper will fix the problem.
Baldy